Confirmed Trade: [LAK/PHI] Andrei Kuzmenko (50% retained) and 2025 7th round pick for 2027 3rd round pick

[Rebels57]

So the Flyers traded Frost, Farabee, and a 7th for a 2nd, 3rd, and Pelletier (AHLer)

Not great.

 

[Osprey]

I just realized that Kuzmenko playing with Kopitar and Kempe will make for an unfortunate line acronym.

 

[Rebels57]

It's some offensive depth. Kings can't score. We'll see if Hiller uses him.

I actually though Kuzmenko's looked pretty good in Philly. He's up on his skates and has a good shot. Good depth scoring winger.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Not a bad pickup.

Kuzmenko didn't seem to be a guy that could always be trusted to play big mins in the playoffs, but his offensive skill is undeniable.

They get a look at him for a modest price. If Beauvillier is getting a 2nd this isn't the worst move.

 

[Telos]

It's some offensive depth. Kings can't score. We'll see if Hiller uses him.

That's for sure going to be the biggest problem. They absolutely have no clue how to use it, and they cannot run a powerplay to save their lives so I have little expectation of Kuzmenko rediscovering his production here; but at the very least, out of all the players Blake could have targeted and launched assets into the abyss, this is one of the better ones as far as making sense and cost.

He's up on his skates and has a good shit.

I think we all play better after having a good shit.

 

[TropicalFruitGirl2]

Kuzmenko's career in North America so far:

Bad News... NOBODY seems to want to keep him on their team.
Good News.. Somebody ELSE still wants him on their team!

This guy has more road miles and travel stops than AC-DC on tour!

 

[eramosat]

So the Flyers traded Frost, Farabee, and a 7th for a 2nd, 3rd, and Pelletier (AHLer)

Not great.

I think of it more as unloading Farabee's poor value contract. And avoiding Frost's next one.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Could help that crappy PP the Kings are putting out. As far as a low risk acquisition goes definitely not the worst of the day.

 

[KingsHockey24]

When was the last time LA had two Russians on the team at the same time?

 

[SlimCharles]

When was the last time LA had two Russians on the team at the same time?

It's gotta be Frolov and Grebeshkov.

 

[KingsHockey24]

It's gotta be Frolov and Grebeshkov.

Was Kovalchuk and Prohorkin on the same team? I don't remember.

 

[Breeze 44]

So the Flyers traded Frost, Farabee, and a 7th for a 2nd, 3rd, and Pelletier (AHLer)

Not great.

And got out of a bad contract in Farabee...as well as Frost's was coming up for a new one.

 

[Reaper45]

It's gotta be Frolov and Grebeshkov.

Yep and before that it was Yushkevich and Kuznetsov but they were actually dealt away and for being able to be on the roster together.

 

[biturbo19]

Don't really mind the Kings taking a cheap flyer on the Flyer. He's a capable Powerplay player who can move the puck around functionally in the offensive zone and has good hands around the net. Also critically, a RH shot that LA could use there. But the struggle is always going to be...how you get a guy like Kuzmenko enough 5v5 minutes with offensive opportunities and chances to handle the puck, to keep him sharp and "in the game" to be actually useful and feeling it to actually be useful and in a groove when those powerplay opportunities do present themselves?


He just offers so little else away from the offensive zone, powerplay, and net area finishing. Needs linemates to really carry him and push the play offensively at even strength. Not sure how that's going to integrate with the way the Kings play and the sort of line deployments they tend to lean toward.

 

[bland]

Yep and before that it was Yushkevich and Kuznetsov but they were actually dealt away and for being able to be on the roster together.

I think it might be Kovalchuk and Scherbak, with similar results.

 

[Reaper45]

I think it might be Kovalchuk and Scherbak, with similar results.

I forgot all about Scherbak. We’ve really had some terrible Russians on this team.

 

[Nanuuk]

I'm not sure where Kuzy will play in LA, but if scores that one goal to bury the Oilers in the play-offs it will have been a worthwhile trade.

Kuzmenko has talent coming out of the ying-yang. He just needs to know when to park his obvious joy of life and concentrate on hockey to be effective.

 

[Kurrilino]

When was the last time LA had two Russians on the team at the same time?

You don't worry, Gavrikov will walk

 

[mightbeabird]

Most of Kuzmeko's goals on the Nucks during his big season were tap ins. He was good at getting to empty space for the tap but that was about it. People figured him out.

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

It's amazing how this guy scored 39 goals in a season. What a statistical oddity. He hasn't even hit 39 points in a season since then.

 

[Osprey]

He was the best player for the Kings in his debut, though that isn't saying much with how anemic the team is right now. They desperately needed his creativity. I wonder how long it'll take for them to coach it out of him.

 

[ponder719]

I just realized that Kuzmenko playing with Kopitar and Kempe will make for an unfortunate line acronym.

AAA!

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Put him on the top line with Kopitar and Kempe and hope he gets on a temporary hot streak. He's pretty much only good for scoring goals and LA badly needed another sniper.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

He was the best player for the Kings in his debut, though that isn't saying much with how anemic the team is right now. They desperately needed his creativity. I wonder how long it'll take for them to coach it out of him.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[canadianmagpie]

I just realized that Kuzmenko playing with Kopitar and Kempe will make for an unfortunate line acronym.