#5 Alexei Gusarov
Scouting Report
The Finesse Game
Gusarov has some impressive finesses skills, which he uses more in a defense posture now than he did earlier in his career. Gusarov can still contribute to the attack, but he is not a top-flight offensive defenseman. A shifty skater with a long reach and good range, Gusarov can handle the puck on the rush and will occasionally gamble deep in front of the net. He sometimes doesn´t read the play well and will get trapped, although he was much more conservative in his facet earlier seasons. Gusarov is confident in his skills and is aggressive in the neutral zone. He can kill penalties and work the point on the power play on the second unit.

The Physical Game
Gusarov does not play a physical game. He often fishes for the puck instead of bumping people. He is tall and lean and doesn´t have the best centre of gravity for body work, but when he holds his position well he forces attackers wide.

The Intangibles
Gusarov was pushed down to a number five or six role on the depth chart by the development of other Avalanche defensemen, and was in and out of the lineup when healthy several times during the season. He did perform well in the playoffs, however, which may bump his stock back up a bit.