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

[TropicOfNoReturn]

Vancouver pays through the nose. They must really think they have a legit Cup chance.

Vancouver paid quantity over quality. They gave up all middling pieces at best.

 

[tfwnogf]

Calgary just doesn't like to say 'rebuild'. But realistically that's what they're doing.

My guess is they put Kuzmenko into the top-6, give him a chance to pump up his scoring stats for the next year, then try to deal him next season.

I know you mean he'll have more ice time, but going to the flames to pump up stats sounds like an oxy-moron

 

[UrbanImpact]

This Kuzmenko guy isn't some scrub. When he is playing well... he's a total handful. It wasn't happening for him this season, but last season... he was a factor to be reckoned with. And it's very possible someone that skilled and good a skater can find a higher level again.

If you asked me if RyJo of the Avs had this kind of upside... I'd laugh and then cry.

Kuzmenko is definitely not a scrub if he is plays in a loose system, like Bruce Bodreau's free for all system.

However, in a structured system, he was very much lost. Thats not a shot against him, and people need to realize that despite being 27, this is only his sophmore season.

He struggled playing in a structured system.

I also dont know if he didnt take off-season seriously, he travelled to Bali all summer and did like 3rd world training ....but his compete level was non existent this year. He had no second wind and was gassed after a quick burst of energy. His forechecking is also non existent which was probably his biggest downfalll and main reason for being in the doghouse.

His skill is undeniable, its almost Alex Kovalev like, if he can ever learn the Xs and Os of NHL hockey he would be a valuable player.

 

[BCNate]

So where do the Nucks need to get for most non-fans to consider this a success?
1. if it is a rental
2. if Lindholm re-signs (and what cap hit is "good value")

1. I'm not super concerned with how far they go in the playoffs as a result of this trade. I don't think you can say they have to make it to round X for this to be a smart move. Canucks filled their biggest need and gave up pieces they could afford to give up. They have a team that is ready to compete, and they made a move that greatly improves their chances. Knowing how hard it is to win in the playoffs, that's really all you can ask for, this is a strong message and show of support to the team.

2. I think the plan is to resign him if he fits in as well as the Canucks think he will. something in the 7 years/7.5 range is pretty manageable with their cap. I have to assume that Mikheyev would be moved to make that work.

 

[sxvnert]

Great for Vancouver if its a sign and trade.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Unless Lindholm disappoints and doesn't perform, I think Vancouver resigns him. Trade Garland and Mikheyev in the summer and there's your cap space. Those two are easily replacable and Vancouvers bottom 6 is so solid that I think two of the current bottom 6'ers can jump into a top 6 role next year. Hoglander being one, maybe Joshua.

 

[Mattilaus]

Great move by the nucks. Not super impressed with the return for Calgary but I am also not sure they could have gotten any better anywhere else.

Maybe this is the year one of the 1970 expansion cousins breaks the curse.

 

[HighLifeMan]

Weird how Kuzmenko had Calgary on his no trade clause but had Edmonton as one of the finalist to sign him when he was a free agent.

Maybe he was stringing Edmonton all along and never wanted to sign with them in the first place and immidiately put them on his no trade claause as well as soon as he signed with Vancouver.

I mean 16 teams missed the playoffs last year and Calgary was one of them.

It's not surprising they were one of his 12 teams all things considered.

 

[cheechoo]

I mean 16 teams missed the playoffs last year and Calgary was one of them.

It's not surprising they were one of his 12 teams all things considered.

+ the chance to play alongside McDavid and/or Draisaitl could be argued as a potential life changing financial decision.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

In this morning's Calgary Herald print edition there's a wonderful column on how Lindholm is a candidate to be traded at this season's trade deadline.

As top trade target, Flames’ Elias Lindholm will be in spotlight at NHL all-star game

Most expect that Flames all-star rep Elias Lindholm will be switching squads before the March 8 trade deadline.

calgaryherald.com

Date on the article is January 31, and last updated around 2:00 PM on the 31st.

Amusing that it was mere hours before the trade.

I didn't know printed newspapers were still a thing. Didn't the Herald get rid of their major printing facilities?

 

[DFF]

Lindholm wanted out last year, so he's been playing on a team for the last 1.5 seasons that he didn't want to be on. No player will put in 100% efffort playing on a team they couldn't care less for. Watch him bounce back on Vancouver with a new setting and teammates.

He is on a contract year. Nobody purposely tanks their value . He is what he is. He needs star players on his line. He can not be the primary puck carrier

 

[lawrence]

I hope kuzy does well in Calgary.

 

[BCNate]

I do not think it will be easy to find trades for Garland or Mikheyev that don't require Vancouver to take back similar contracts.

Won't be easy, but Allvin got value back for Pearson and Beauvillier in an even tighter market.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Unless Lindholm disappoints and doesn't perform, I think Vancouver resigns him. Trade Garland and Mikheyev in the summer and there's your cap space. Those two are easily replacable and Vancouvers bottom 6 is so solid that I think two of the current bottom 6'ers can jump into a top 6 role next year. Hoglander being one, maybe Joshua.

After this trade, Vancouver has close to 40 mil cap space next year so they dont need to trade Garland or Mikh for cap purposes.

They can easily use the cap space to re-sign Lindholm if meshes well with the core players and fits Tochett's system.

If not then we go big game hunting in free agency. Geuntzel and Tanev likely being their main targets.


Their bottom 6 will need to be revamped next year as some players like Joshua, Bleuger, Lafferty might be priced out. However we have some studs in the AHL like Podkolzin and Bains that can take over at a low AAV.

 

[Double Dion]

Good analysis. The value is less than the Horvat return as it should be.

One of the biggest pieces for Van was shedding Kuz's salary this and next yr.

The price was low enough the Canucks can try Lindholm out and pivot to one of the UFAs if it doesn't work out.

Not so sure about that. Beauvillier=Kuzmenko. The 1st for Vancouver was better. HB>AR. Add in the 3rd or 4th? I think it's better for Lindholm.

 

[Pongs21]

Damn you! I really wanted the Jets to nab him..
Great insurance though if he fits well and is interested in extending if Pettersson decides he wants out. Hopefully not for VAN fans though.

 

[PensandCaps]

Love the fit for Lindholm. Great add by Vancouver, gonna make them cup contenders with that C depth. Though i think he's going to be used as a Wing.

 

[tmurfin]

Lindy is gonna kill it in Van. Dudes got some heart, all the best to him.

Solid haul for Conroy, was getting a little weary about these upcoming trades, this gives me a little more confidence.

 

[McJedi]

Won't be easy, but Allvin got value back for Pearson and Beauvillier in an even tighter market.

But they were both in the last year of their respective deals right?

Garland isn't. Don't know about the other guy, but don't think he is either. So that comparison you're making isn't apples to apples. The distinction of term beyond a rental is pretty substantial.

 

[Cup or Bust]

I think this is a good trade for both teams. Gives Calgary a player that is dynamic offensively, something they need in their lineup and a 1st rounder. Lindholm can fill a good 2-way role for the Canucks.

 

[tanti9]

I like this trade for both teams!! Kuzmenko (I think) is a good offensive player who can be a liability on the other side of the puck. Lindholm is a player that is suited for the Canucks playstyle under Tocchet.

Hoping we can keep the squad together and we get most signed in the offseason. If for some reason Petey wants out I think management has shown they have a vision and are here for another 3 years.

 

[Wildcarder]

Vancouver pays through the nose. They must really think they have a legit Cup chance.

But don't they? I've had a hard time believing the Canucks are true Cup contenders but the more I look at how's this season's gone, the more it feels that the league is wide open this year. More so than previous years. All of the other contenders have big question marks, whether it's injuries/absences, missing pieces, or goaltending.

This could also be Vancouver's best chance in awhile given cap constraints (resigning EP40, Hronek, a lot of good depth pieces, OEL buyout).

 

[IWantSakicAsMyGM]

It's the same risk any contract carries. Vancouver is in win now with Pettersson, Demko, Miller, Hughes, and Boeser in their primes. The right play, assuming Lindholm works out, would be to sign Lindholm to a 6-7 year contract knowing that the back 2-3 years will probably be bad.

Lindholm can be dynamite when he has chemistry. If he has chemistry with Pettersson, you hang onto him.

Yes, that's the traditional thinking, but there's not much evidence I can find that acquiring a high priced UFA rental and then signing him to an expensive extension will actually help a team win now. I can't remember the last expensive rental who returned a 1st+good prospect+ at the TDL and lifted the Cup at the end of the season. For that matter, how many expensive rentals even extend with the team that acquires them, let alone helping their new team win a Cup? On top of that, the team now has fewer 1sts and prospects to potentially find cheap youngsters that can replace the guys that inevitably leave, so you also now have to find more affordable UFAs who don't suck to fill out your depth, which is usually a challenge.

And, sure, if he has chemistry with Pettersson, please feel free to overpay him to keep him for a full 8 years. As a long time Avs fan, I'll happily watch the Canuck wallow in mediocrity for another decade or two because they keep doing the same thing that every other team that failed to win the Cup did and expecting different results.

 

[Donuts]

kuz gonna light it up and flames start winning just so we get CGY vs Van 1st round lol

 

[Bond]

Vancouver pays through the nose. They must really think they have a legit Cup chance.

As a Flames fan I don't think is paying through the nose. I think it is pretty fair. They kept their top prospects and cashed in on Brzustewicz having a great year.
I thought Ritchie was high side for the type of prospect the Flames could get back in a trade and Brzustewicz is between him and a B prospect and will be equivalent if the progression continues.