The Vegas Golden Knights have signed defenseman Robert Hagg and forward Callahan Burke to one-year contracts, each valued at $775,000. Hagg’s contract is a one-way deal, meaning he will earn his NHL salary regardless of whether he plays in the NHL or AHL, while Burke’s is a two-way contract, which means his salary will differ depending on which league he plays in.
Robert Hagg, who spent the previous season with the Anaheim Ducks and their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, returns to the NHL with this new deal. Last season, he played five games for the Ducks without registering a point and appeared in 47 games for the Gulls, scoring three goals and accumulating 12 points. Hagg, originally drafted 41st overall in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, made his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season. Over parts of seven seasons in the NHL, he has played 343 games with the Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, and Ducks, scoring 16 goals and 63 points in total. He has also contributed three assists in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Callahan Burke, on the other hand, spent his last season with the Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, despite being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. Due to the Hurricanes not having their own AHL affiliate, Burke continued with the Eagles, where he had a productive season, scoring 16 goals and 39 points in 57 games and adding three points in three Calder Cup playoff games. Burke made his NHL debut last season, playing one game without scoring. The Massachusetts native signed his first professional contract in 2020 after four years at the University of Notre Dame, where he served as team captain in his final year.
In other news, veteran winger Nikita Gusev, who has been playing in the KHL, is seeking a return to the NHL. Gusev, 31, was seen at the New Jersey Devils’ development camp, indicating his interest in making a comeback. His first stint in the NHL saw a promising start with the Devils in the 2019-20 season, where he scored 13 goals and 31 assists in 66 games. However, his performance dipped significantly in the following season, leading to his contract being terminated. He briefly joined the Florida Panthers, contributing five points in 11 games before returning to the KHL.
In the KHL, Gusev played for SKA St. Petersburg and later Dynamo Moscow, where he had an outstanding season, leading the league in both assists (66) and points (89) in 68 games. He continued his strong performance in the postseason, scoring 10 points in nine games. Despite receiving offers from KHL teams, Gusev remains unsigned, likely holding out for an NHL opportunity.
Given the current state of NHL rosters, Gusev may not command a high salary as he did previously, but his offensive skills make him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their lineup. If his asking price is reasonable, he could be a valuable addition to an NHL team seeking to enhance its offensive capabilities in the near future.
