There's very real flaws to Kuzmenko's game. I still consider him a cap dump. He's fun to listen to in interviews though. The constant giggles are pretty unique.
Confirmed Trade: [VAN/CGY] Elias Lindholm for Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo, 2024 1st, cond. 2024 4th
- Thread starter MMC
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
- Status
DFF
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2002
- 22,471
- 6,699
If he can score 20-30 goals, he is no cap dump, especially if he elevates Huberdeau’s game
DFF
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2002
- 22,471
- 6,699
Backlund and Coleman can play defense all they want. The Flames are boring as hell without scoring help. Kuzmenko would be useless without scoring but if he can score, he is worth it.
- Jan 9, 2009
- 16,729
- 11,184
Hopefully Kuzmenko's greatest achievement will be contributing to the revitalization of Huberdeau's career. If he can do that, he's a keeper no matter how defensively bad he is. And honestly, I have yet to see any self inflicted egregious errors. Any errors like that have just been bad luck. Shit happens sometimes... to everybody.
So you don't see him being able to do something he's already done, and surpassed by a decent margin...
I don't see him shooting 27% again no. Much like I didn't see Mangiapane scoring 35 again. Unsustainable percentages are by definition unsustainable.
MarkusNaslund19
Registered User
- Dec 28, 2005
- 5,943
- 9,244
Love the way you described both.
I have seen some inventive passing from Lindholm but nothing that makes you jump out of your seat. And truthfully it's taking guys a bit of time to get used to each other 5-on-5. But he also came to us when we just had ten days off and had two consecutive morning games on the weekend.
But he seems like a jack of all trades and master of none, but he's not just 'adequate' at anything. He basically does everything to at least a good second liner level and then a couple of things at a better level which makes him either an absolute boutique near the top of the league level of 2nd liner, or a really good facilitator on the top line who can make his linemates better in the right fit.
Totally different player, but if he plays on the top line it's a bit like the Brendan Morrison role with the Westcoast Express if you'll forgive the Vancouver-centric comparison.
----
Kuzmenko really struggled this year, but even this year he had some moments.
He had a long unfortunate stretch where he got like 4 points in 12 games and all the points came against Chicago and San Jose.
I'm paraphrasing that stat so don't quote me, but it's something along those lines.
Anyhow, a great friend took me to the Hawks game as a milestone birthday gift for me (to see Bedard, he bought the tickets as soon as they came out, which would have been incredible, but it was still super cool), and Kuzmenko got a spinaround pass, no-look, assist that brought us all completely out of our seats. I recommend looking it up if you haven't seen it.
He's really dynamic and I have a hunch (and had a hunch before he played a game) that he might help unlock Huberdeau in a bit of a modified Dadonov role (who played a bunch with him in Florida as you're likely aware).
He wasn't your average cap dump, but moving him for someone we can trust at all times to do the right thing and plug him in wherever we need him including with one of the top two lines was absolutely the right move for us.
I think he came to camp out of shape because of his Bali trip, because he has been losing waaay too many races and battles on a far better team than he was on last year. Curious if that continues in Calgary, as I wondered if the ten day break would allow him to catch up a bit.
It's really bizarre. As a Canucks fan who got into hockey in 94, Calgary is one of my most hated rivals. But then we have made all of these substantial trades of fan favorite type players. Tanev and Markstrom are still loved here, Kuzmenko is still loved here (though he has less legacy here), and I get the sense that fans still appreciate Lindholm and Zadorov even if they felt it was time for one or both to go.
The alliance against Edmonton feels sort of real lol. Who would have known.
Danarqhy
Registered User
Danault? And he makes $5.5 million too.
Pretty crazy to me that we're talking about $9 million for a center with Lindholm's profile. He's very good defensively but he needs to be carried by more talented players offensively. I know there's been inflation, but hot damn.
Danault is LHS. Lindholm was getting 9 if he was puting up ppg while playing selke lv, but he isnt scoring rn so hes not gonna get 9m.
Lindholm is good defensively. He doesn't hold Backlunds jock defensively though. Backlund, Danault and JEE are all far better defensive players. Even guys like Barkov, Aho, Couturier are slightly better.
He'll get 9m still if he wants it. 15 teams need him and there aren't any other options in free agency.
DFF
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2002
- 22,471
- 6,699
Volica
Papa Shango
- May 15, 2012
- 21,978
- 11,713
So far, from the Flames fan's perspective I can't help but be happy about it.
Canucks are a much better team than us, and Lindholm will help them if they go deep in the playoffs.
Kuzmenko is a really important piece so far on our end. Yes, all he does is score and play offence... but, you know what? That's great. Calgary's had vanilla grind'em down teams for the past two decades. He's made Huberdeau look like a 10M player because teams have to respect Kuz and Shango's shooting; 5 points in 3 games since the trade. Actually surprised Kuzmenko didn't get an assist the other night, I thought he did and so did the Flames broadcast.
Icing on the cake is the first rounder plus Brzustewicz; those have the chance at being really important pieces. Conroy seems open to moving the extra picks for help down the middle too, so that's a huge bonus on our end.
Canucks are a much better team than us, and Lindholm will help them if they go deep in the playoffs.
Kuzmenko is a really important piece so far on our end. Yes, all he does is score and play offence... but, you know what? That's great. Calgary's had vanilla grind'em down teams for the past two decades. He's made Huberdeau look like a 10M player because teams have to respect Kuz and Shango's shooting; 5 points in 3 games since the trade. Actually surprised Kuzmenko didn't get an assist the other night, I thought he did and so did the Flames broadcast.
Icing on the cake is the first rounder plus Brzustewicz; those have the chance at being really important pieces. Conroy seems open to moving the extra picks for help down the middle too, so that's a huge bonus on our end.
DFF
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2002
- 22,471
- 6,699
They have nothing to do with the other. Lindholm also wants 7-8 yrs. I may pay 9M for a 1-2 yrs try out but that’s it.
Hes not gonna get 9m pacing for 50-60 pts a yr, it doesnt matter how many teams wants him. Hes gonna get somewhere between kadri and schiefele/horvat
I think you're under estimating the dearth of centers on the market this offseason. I guarantee that contract is north of 8M per and could hit as much as 9.5.
More, wait and see. 8.5 is the lowest I could possibly see. There will be 140M more money in the system next season.
DFF
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2002
- 22,471
- 6,699
You will see him get beaten in puck battles first and foremost. If it's him and another player and it gets physical along the boards he has a 25% success rate. He isn't the best option for a dump & chase game, so avoiding that playstyle with him on deployment is advised.
mattihp
Registered User
He would pass. He’s probably be on the Flamss if he would have signed that
I don’t think so. Boston only wanted to trade for him in a sign and trade.
- Status
