“Gusev’s numbers in the KHL are staggering, especially when compared to the other NHL stars who have played in the league recently. He led the KHL in scoring last season with 82 points in 62 games, giving him 215 points in 173 games over the past three. Gusev is older now — he turned 27 years old in July — but his numbers when he was younger compare favorably to some of the NHL’s top Russian players at the same ages.”

“The club wanted its No. 1 overall pick to be as comfortable as possible and it knew the Swiss native was reticent to use his broken English in 2017. It had greatly improved after spending a year with a billet family in Halifax during his stint in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but it wasn’t where he wanted it to be.”

“Also interesting to note that the Devils will be dressing three number one overall picks in tonight’s game. Hughes, 2017 first overall pick Nico Hischier, and 2010 first overall Taylor Hall. Not sure if going the route of the Edmonton Oilers “play all the first round picks you can but do nothing to improve your goaltending” style of management is the best way to go, but the Devils are going to give it a shot.”

What To Watch For: The Devil Is In The Defensive Details