I really like Lindholm as a player. The Canucks can put him on any line and he'll have success.
Put Lindholm with mediocre players (like the Flames this year), he'll be mediocre. Put him with elite players, he'll be elite.
Two decent D prospects is a nice get. The Flames are a bit light on D in the system. Fills a need.
A late first + conditional 4th is always useful.
I like Kuzmenko as well. This year, as an average sized winger trending to a 40 point season he's overpaid at 5.5 million. But the fact that he only has one more year left on his contract is ideal. Worst case, he declines even more next year and you cut him loose. Best case, he gets more icetime/points and becomes a decent deadline asset if the Flames retain salary. From a free agent standpoint this year, I’d be surprised if the Flames could convince any decent player to sign with them on a 1 year deal (with the intent of flipping them at the deadline).
Could be fun to look back at this as a 1st, 4th, 2 prospects and a 2025 2nd round pick (my optimistic return for Kuzmenko next year).
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