Devils acquire Russian star Nikita Gusev in trade with Golden Knights

The Devils acquired the rights to forward Nikita Gusev, one of the best players in the KHL over the last three years, from the Golden Knights in exchange for a 2020 third-round pick and 2021 second-round pick.

New Jersey also announced a two-year deal with a $4.5 million cap hit for the forward, who immediately moves near the top of the team’s depth chart.

Gusev, 27, emerged as one of the best players outside the NHL since the Lightning drafted him in the seventh round seven years ago. He’s recorded at least a point-per-game in each of the last three KHL seasons, including a league-leading 82 points in 62 games with powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg in 2018-19.

No other player in the league – widely considered the world’s second-best after the NHL – had more than 69 points last season.

The Golden Knights, who acquired Gusev’s rights during the expansion draft, couldn’t sign the high-scoring forward to a lucrative contract to lure him from Russia due to their salary cap situation.

Expensive deals for Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, William Karlsson and others have put the club up against the spending limit.

The Devils, on the other hand, currently have over $12 million in salary cap space even after signing Gusev, according to Cap Friendly.