Former NHLer Nikita Gusev reportedly given second suspension this season from own team

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TJ Tucker
April 7, 2023 (1:27 PM)

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A strange story is developing that revolves around former NHLer Nikita Gusev. The 30-year-old, who's been tearing it up offensively with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL this season, has reportedly been suspended for the second time this year by the team. Gusev, who currently has 12 points in 10 playoff games for SKA, was benched for most of game three of his team's playoff series against rival CSKA Moscow. It's now being reported that he won't play in game four, and that he's been suspended by the team. In addition to that, the report states an absence from SKA from January 30th to February 17th of 2023 was also because of a suspension, although neither party would admit to it at the time.

"Match TV learned from a source that Gusev will not participate in the fourth game of the series, which will take place on Saturday. Moreover, he is suspended from the main SKA squad."

"This is due to a certain addiction of the player, which has to do with drinking beer. This problem stretches back to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. For the same reason, Gusev did not play from January 30 to February 16, when SKA got him back into physical shape. The player will be back in the lineup and the team will give him all possible assistance and support."

Gusev, who played for SKA last season, tried very hard to get back into the NHL for 2022-23. He held off on signing any new deal in the KHL while his agent searched for an NHL club. No one signed him, and he inked a two-year deal with St. Petersburg just before the regular season got underway.

Match TV called SKA for comment on Gusev's reported issue, but they team wouldn't comment.

"We do not comment on the situation. This is our internal affair and there are playoffs going on."

In 97 regular season NHL games split between New jersey and Florida, Gusev managed 17 goals and 54 points. Those numbers aren't bad, but his stats in the KHL over the course of his career at home have been phenomenal. His best season came in 2018-19, the year before he left for North America, when he put up 17 goals and 82 points in 62 regular season games. He added another 9 goals and 19 points in 18 playoff games.