Confirmed Trade: [VAN/CGY] Elias Lindholm for Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, 2024 1st, cond. 2024 4th

[Byron Bitz]

Is Kuzmenko + a 1st enough?

Hunter Brustewicz might be the best Dman in the CHL

 

[Some Other Flame]

Seems like both fanbases are pretty happy with this. Win-win

 

[Petes2424]

One of the strangest reactions we’ve ever seen on this site, after a trade.

There’s people who think Kuzmenko was actually a big piece in this trade, value wise, and others who believe he was nothing more than a cap dump, the Canucks have been trying to get rid of for 2 months, because the scouting report is now out on him, and he can’t respond to it.

He can score in space, but put pressure on him, he’s unable to create the space he needs to produce….. and the rest of his game is hard to watch.

I’m firmly in that second group, but he’ll obviously get his chance to prove doubters like me wrong.

If he doesn’t prove those doubters wrong over the second half of the season, there’s a good chance he’s bought out this summer, and heads home.

 

[Jay26]

But is lindholm even that good? The fact that I’m not sure if it’s worse if he doesn’t re-sign or if they re-sign him for king speaks volumes.

These are the sort of premature blow your load because you had a good 50 game deals that explain why no Canadian team has won a cup in 30 years.

And how many times have teams completely missed their chance by standing pat? Sabres fans are lamenting that their team has taken a step back because their GM stood pat, horded all their futures and didn't improve the team at all.

You've got to put your balls on the table at some point. For this team especially due to their looming cap situation and the amount of good players needing new contracts.

 

[uncleben]

Any condition on that 1st?

Only on the 4th

 

[ohnoeszz]

It's certainly not a bad deal for Calgary. There is probably a bit of overreaction from fans with takes on the extreme edge of either side.

- Kuzmenko isn't talentless. He will probably score some goals for Calgary. But the idea that he's just having a down year is extremely flawed. He rode an absolutely insane shooting % and PDO on a very bad team last year to some gaudy counting stats. He's not suddenly going to be flip-able for a 1st even if he does get hot for the Flames over the next month. He can be a contributer but is he going to move any needle or asset package in the long-run?

- Hunter is not a "throw-in". He and the 1st are the main attractions here. His OHL stats are great. He's certainly increased his stock from 3rd round value last year. He's also heavily flawed when it comes to projecting a "high-end" NHL player down the road.

- The 1st...to me, even if #30 or #31 - that's still the main piece. What Calgary does with it will matter but it was important to get that.

- Lindholm is probably not ever going to be 40-goal Lindholm again but there is track record here, there is elite level defensive play here, there is positional premium here...so to take an extremely lucky Kuz year (I will eat my hat is his 22-23 season isn't a ridiculous outlier in his entire career) and then say Lindholm is a 9 goal center is absurd. He offers the Canucks an elite 2C who let's them keep their mega-line of EP and JTM together while stiching together a bunch of all-weather, all-zone 2nd line possibilities.

All the talk of Kuzmenko's outlier stats tends to neglect some of the stats that actually favor him.

The other players around his point mark that year averaged some 2 minutes more as staples on their top line. Kuzmenko played many games on the 3rd line that year and was shifted around or yanked alot.

Even this year Kuzmenko has been just under .5ppg in 14 mpg. He's been on PP2 much of the year. Van fans have remarked how he's been snakebit this year - on the doorstep many times. Even in this terrible year the talent is visible.

Yes he shot a high percentage but the presentation of him as some lucky passenger that year is simply not accurate. Look up the Nashville game he won that year for instance.

Kuzmenko has yet to be given the full rope at the NHL level. If Calgary is smart they will give him that and put some insulating pieces around it to make it work. I can't promise you they will or that a new coach won't have similar issues with Kuz, but there is massive upside there for the team that works to unlock it - Calgary has nothing but time right now.

 

[Stive Morgan]

Seems like a potential win-win and a better version (haul-wise) of the Toffoli-to-Calgary trade.

I don't get people saying this is a fleece for either side.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Are the Canucks legit now?

Seems like they are to me. My only concern at this point about their lineup is just the lack of experienced deep playoff run vets. It's a small concern, but could end up being the edge for an opponent without that weakness.

 

[SI90]

Calgary did well. Especially considering Lindholm declined there offer for extension.

 

[Jay26]

And Lindholm is a free agent.

I applaud Vancouver for trying to get better but it can backfire

See usually this is how I would think too but look how well it's working out for the Devils with Meier extended for 8 years lol.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

But is lindholm even that good? The fact that I’m not sure if it’s worse if he doesn’t re-sign or if they re-sign him for king speaks volumes.

These are the sort of premature blow your load because you had a good 50 game deals that explain why no Canadian team has won a cup in 30 years.

blowing our loads?

We have two blue chips prospects in Lekkerimaki and Willander
Podkolzin developing in the AHL

 

[Canadian Canuck]

Hunter Brustewicz might be the best Dman in the CHL

Is that why he didn’t make USA World Junior roster? He’s got a muffin of a shot and is having a career year. He’s lucky if he amounts to a bottom pairing dman. Canucks sold high on him.

 

[vcanuck]

And Lindholm is a free agent.

I applaud Vancouver for trying to get better but it can backfire

it can "backfire" and we shed 5m in the summer.

 

[Canadian Canuck]

Seems like they are to me. My only concern at this point about their lineup is just the lack of experienced deep playoff run vets. It's a small concern, but could end up being the edge for an opponent without that weakness.

They got players like Miller, Cole, Blueger, etc who have experience. Canucks themselves were one game away from the WCF during the bubble.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Update: https://x.com/Fan960Logan/status/1752890662708728076

The 4th is a gurantee, becomes a 3rd if we make it to the WCF

 

[Cypher]

Seems like they are to me. My only concern at this point about their lineup is just the lack of experienced deep playoff run vets. It's a small concern, but could end up being the edge for an opponent without that weakness.

I would say their defense still needs help. Having Cole, Myers, and Zadorov as 3 of your 6 dman isn't ideal to say the least. Physical yes, slow also yes.

 

[toddkaz]

See usually this is how I would think too but look how well it's working out for the Devils with Meier extended for 8 years lol.

It depends though cause its working out for the NYI with your old fan fav Horvat.

GM and scouts gotta know what they are doing.

 

[0494]

Seems like they are to me. My only concern at this point about their lineup is just the lack of experienced deep playoff run vets. It's a small concern, but could end up being the edge for an opponent without that weakness.

The lack of experience will definitely be a factor. I think the fans are just happy to see a playoff team at this point so anything more will be a plus.

 

[innitfam]

Any report on what the conditions on the 4th are?

 

[wintersej]

Think this is a home run for Calgary, personally.

Lindholm's had a rough year, and so has Kuzemenko, but with Kuzemenko, they get another "kick at the can" in terms of extracting value. Is he going to score 39 goals next year? highly doubtful... but he certainly could rebound to a 25+ guy... which generally costs you $5m+ these days anyways.

They get the 1st that would have been part of anyone's package. I'm not sure if Joni Jurmo has much upside, but this Hunter Brzustewicz guy seems to have had a very encouraging jump in production since being drafted in the 3rd round; and does seem to possess NHL size. I think if you are "valuing" him today, you're probably in the early 2nd round.

If you had to knock Calgary's performance on here, I think it's that this is an obvious rebuilding move, and their contractual situation may not be all that conducive to rebuilding, given that they have Huberedau (30), Kadri (33), Coleman (32) and Weegar (30) all on very long term deals.

See I think Kuz makes it a one foot in, one foot out deal, not a rebuilding move. They are hoping he bounces back and is a 25 goal guy. And if it doesn’t work out, well they can walk. If it does work out then he is part of the retool.

I suspect the Hanifin trade will also include an NHL player they hope can be part of a retool.

 

[nergish]

Lindholm has been a pain to play against for years. Glad he’s on our side now.

 

[Coffee]

Any report on what the conditions on the 4th are?

Become a 3rd round pick if Canucks make the WCF.

Next question

 

[toddkaz]

it can "backfire" and we shed 5m in the summer.

Is Lindholm in the long term plans for Vancouver? His play has fallen off slightly and turned down 9 million from Vancouver.

Its a wait and see how it works out approach for me.

 

[Samsquanch]

As a Sens fan who's seen our own players walk for less - my gut reaction is still :is this all they could get?"

Having said that, maybe it is... but it's not the package I would have traded my #1C for...personally speaking

 

[SopelFanThe3rd]

Canucks will have 6 all stars and a coach now lol