The Calgary Flames were expected to begin selling, and they did so on Wednesday night. Just days ahead of the All-Star Game, it was announced that they had sent Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Andrei Kuzmenko, prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, a 2024 first-round selection, and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick.
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This was the second deal these two teams have made this season, as the Flames sent Nikita Zadorov to the Canucks in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2024 and a third-round pick in 2026. Flames fans were rather upset with that return, but are jumping for joy over the haul they received from Lindholm.
Flames Get Several Significant Pieces
The Flames have several pieces in this deal that could pay off in a big way for them. First is Kuzmenko, who struggled in his second season with the Canucks under head coach Rick Tocchet. The 26-year-old, who is in the first year of a two-year deal with a $5.5 million cap hit, has been healthy scratched numerous times this season and has just eight goals and 21 points through 43 games.
As disappointing as Kuzmenko’s season has been, the Flames are getting a very talented player here. Just a season ago as a rookie, he scored 39 goals and 74 points in 81 games. He could very well get back to similar production with the Flames and could be moved this offseason or at any point during the 2024-25 season for even more young assets.
As for the prospects, both Brzustewicz and Jurmo were third-round selections. Jurmo is the less exciting of the two, having posted a goal and three points in 34 games split between Ilves Tampere and KooKoo Kouvola of the SM-liiga. While his numbers don’t suggest he has much in terms of NHL potential, he is still just 21 years old. He has yet to be signed to an entry-level contract, and will become a free agent this summer if the Flames choose not to offer him a deal.
Brzustewicz, on the other hand, has a ton of potential. The 19-year-old is having a great season with the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with eight goals and 69 points through just 45 games. His 69 points not only lead all OHL defencemen in scoring, but sit third amongst all players. This was a fantastic addition for the Flames, and will be a player for fans to keep an eye on moving forward. He has yet to be signed to an…
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