[Trade] Elias Lindholm to VAN for Kuzmenko, Brzustewicz, Jurmo, 2024 1st, cond 2024 4th

[Classic_Sniper]

Holy smokes, found out about the Lindholm trade late and boy was I shocked at the overall return. That's a whole lot of pieces for a struggling rental that easily beat the expectations I had. The quality of the prospects are pretty good too as it sounds like they might have some NHL upside.

Obviously, Kuzmenko is the biggest name coming over from this trade. Not exactly sure what to make of him though, clearly his numbers especially from last year look mighty impressive. The big drop off in production this season is concerning though without a doubt. At his current value, his cap hit is not a bargain so I can see why Vancouver is willing to move on. If he does rediscover his scoring ways here, then naturally his contract could end up being a bargain.

From a cursory glance, he looks very shifty, looks like he has a quick set of hands, some crafty moves and pretty good vision. Sounds like he benefited greatly from Pettersson’s playmaking ability though and now that they’re not playing together as often, that might explain the drastic drop off.

Not sure what his role will be or who he’ll be playing with, but it seems like he’ll be given every offensive opportunity to succeed in terms of top 6 minutes and optimal PP time. He definitely brings some elements that the Flames don’t currently have which could be especially useful to our listless powerplay. Think he could stand to be more active away from the puck though. The current system and coach really rewards guys who play well without the puck and it seems like he could stand to be more engaged away from the puck.

Still hope the Flames can find a way to pry Nils Hoglander away from the Canucks. He's got a lot of Andrew Mangiapane in him and I think he'd thrive under this system and coach.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Interpretation depends on position.

If a forward gets a lot of secondary assists and not many primary points, it's a telltale that his linemates may be making him look better than he is.

If a defenceman does the same, it's a telltale that he's good at getting the puck up to his forwards. He's expected to be one step further removed from scoring a goal.

Also, if a player is on a team that scores a ton, that palyer may simply be in a good position, riding the coattails of others (whether it's primary or secondary assists, or goals for that matter). Situation matters.

And that was another ridiculous point from Rikster, as they claimed that Brzustewicz is getting cheap, secondary assists from a 'powerhouse' team, when in fact, he is the leading scorer on the team, and only a couple other players are even close. Pretty neat trick to be the leading scorer on your team, simply by picking up cheap, secondary assists.

[robertsfanatic]

i will be taking a trip out to watch one of his games this season...in case anyone wanted to know

also, what if Lindy wanted to re-sign in the off-season for 7x7 - would you do it?

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

i will be taking a trip out to watch one of his games this season...in case anyone wanted to know

also, what if Lindy wanted to re-sign in the off-season for 7x7 - would you do it?

No, he does nothing for the Flames

They don’t have anything that works with him

[Rikster]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Also, if a player is on a team that scores a ton, that palyer may simply be in a good position, riding the coattails of others (whether it's primary or secondary assists, or goals for that matter). Situation matters.

And that was another ridiculous point from Rikster, as they claimed that Brzustewicz is getting cheap, secondary assists from a 'powerhouse' team, when in fact, he is the leading scorer on the team, and only a couple other players are even close. Pretty neat trick to be the leading scorer on your team, simply by picking up cheap, secondary assists.

You can tie yourself up in a knot all you want in an effort to believe that HB will turn into another Cale Makar as Blaster suggested, my point was to temper expectations and be realistic.

Yes the majority of his assists are secondary, and yes he is playing on a very offensive team and is currently 1 point ahead of 2 of his teamates in the scoring race and yes he has only scored 8 goals.

Having watched him play, I agree with the assesments that he does everything well but not elite and his biggest hurdle might be handling the pace of the pro game.

I think he will have an easier path to the NHL in Calgary than Vancouver where he had other prospects ahead of him.

As I've said repeatidly, I am a fan of HB, think he has a chance of making the NHL, and hope that the Flames are patient with him and his development and don't rush him because they lack this type of player in their system.

Time will tell, but count me in as one who thinks you are dreaming if you think HB will turn inot another Cale Makar.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Rikster

You can tie yourself up in a knot all you want in an effort to believe that HB will turn into another Cale Makar as Blaster suggested, my point was to temper expectations and be realistic.

Yes the majority of his assists are secondary, and yes he is playing on a very offensive team and is currently 1 point ahead of 2 of his teamates in the scoring race and yes he has only scored 8 goals.

Having watched him play, I agree with the assesments that he does everything well but not elite and his biggest hurdle might be handling the pace of the pro game.

I think he will have an easier path to the NHL in Calgary than Vancouver where he had other prospects ahead of him.

As I've said repeatidly, I am a fan of HB, think he has a chance of making the NHL, and hope that the Flames are patient with him and his development and don't rush him because they lack this type of player in their system.

Time will tell, but count me in as one who thinks you are dreaming if you think HB will turn inot another Cale Makar.

I really don't see a lot of Flames fans jumping to Makar or Hughes level with the prospect. Do you?

I think most are pretty happy they got a top three prospect from the Canucks in a very good Calgary deal and are pleasantly surprised with the return.

And above someone has HB 2ndary assists at 41%, my math brain can't have you calling that a majority.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Brzustewicz gives the Flames another option to find an offensive defenseman on the back end. I would say they have three options now and he fits in the middle of options. I see Poirier, Brewster, and Morin to be the three with offensive potential. All skate well and all think of how to generate offense. I think Poirier is going to be that offensive guy to step in and make an immediate improvement. That will be a benefit to Brzustewicz and allow him to step in with the pressure of massive expectations. Morin is a guy that could generate some offense, but I think he's going to be an Andersson level player. Brzustewicz is going to be more of a Housely type defenseman, maybe with less wheels. So you're going to have to shield him where possible. Even with that understanding I think the Flames got a player they needed badly and it makes this a pretty good deal for them. Jurmo is a big bonus and is being overlooked too. I think they both fit nicely into the system.

[devo22]

I'd also hope we can add one or two more smooth skating defensemen with offensive upside in the upcoming draft ... can never have enough of those in the system and we should be able to add more picks between now and the deadline. There's going to be lots of good options even in round 2 and 3, by the looks of it.

[Goriders]

Any guesses on lines now? The Lindholm trade really messes up the lineup. Too many wingers. Not enough centers.

My guess. At least to start.

Huberdeau Backlund Kuzmenko
Zary Kadri Sharongovich
Mangiapane Pospisil Coleman
Pelletier Schwint Duehr

Pure guess. I have no idea what they will do. Thought process was Kuzmenko with Huberdeau. Kadri not with Huberdeau. Backlund has to be on the top two lines. Conroy mentioned Schwint getting a chance. He also mentioned Pospisil and Zary wanting to be centers. Pelletier was a guess as well. Don’t actually know if he’s ready.

Either way though. They are going to have to experiment with all of the lines again due to lack of centers.

I don’t know if we’re better or worse. Lindholm wasn’t doing very much so I’m betting not much different but chemistry might be off. I don’t think that trade will effect performance that much. But if they start moving out Hanifin, Tanev and Markstrom we’ll be a tire fire. We don’t have enough depth on D to absorb those moves. They’d have to bring players back in return if they are honest about being competitive.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Any guesses on lines now? The Lindholm trade really messes up the lineup. Too many wingers. Not enough centers.

My guess. At least to start.

Huberdeau Backlund Kuzmenko
Zary Kadri Sharongovich
Mangiapane Pospisil Coleman
Pelletier Schwint Duehr

Pure guess. I have no idea what they will do. Thought process was Kuzmenko with Huberdeau. Kadri not with Huberdeau. Backlund has to be on the top two lines. Conroy mentioned Schwint getting a chance. He also mentioned Pospisil and Zary wanting to be centers. Pelletier was a guess as well. Don’t actually know if he’s ready.

Either way though. They are going to have to experiment with all of the lines again due to lack of centers.

Huberdeau Kadri Kuzmenko
Zary Pospisil Sharangovich
Mangiapane Backlund Coleman
Pelletier Schwint Coronato

[devo22]

Huberdeau - Sharangovich - Kuzmenko
Zary - Kadri - Coronato
Mangiapane - Backlund - Coleman
Pelletier - Schwindt - Pospisil

maybe bump Pospisil to the second line, put Duehr on the 4th line and let Coronato play heavy AHL minutes instead, I don't know. But certainly not ideal down the middle. Wouldn't be surprised to see the likes of Rooney, Jones or Pettersen get a chance at some point, or maybe they can get a C back in a deal or pick one up on waivers.

[FanIn80]

Or... if we can move Mangiapne for a pick...

Huberdeau Kadri Sharangovich
Coleman Backlund Kuzmenko
Pelletier Zary Coronato
Pospisil Schwint Duehr

I think the goal for the rest of the season should be to play the young guys as much as possible. Less winning, more experience for the young dudes.


(And now I have "All the Young Dudes" playing in my head.)

[Groot]

Now is the time to give both Zary and Sharangovich extended looks at the center position between Huberdeau and Kuzmenko. Zary especially.

[Flamesfan05]

Can any of Zary, Pelletier or Posilpil play center at the NHL level?

[devo22]

by the way, Brzustewicz has a younger brother in the 2025 draft. Right handed defenseman as well, but apparently bigger than Hunter (already listed at 6'1 198). Scored for fun in the US youth leagues, not so much in the OHL so far (2+3 in 38 games) ... but I don't know how much he's playing behind the likes of Dickinson, Bonk and so on.

If people are still a bit scared of Hunter being American (they shouldn't), both of the Brzustewicz boys going to the OHL should dispel these doubts IMO ... Hunter was part of the USNTDP, Henry was at Shattuck St. Mary's - and they still went to Canada for OHL hockey. Signing him will be a non-issue, I think.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Can any of Zary, Pelletier or Posilpil play center at the NHL level?

No idea. But someone will have to replace Lindholm. Or at least become a center. I’d use the rest of the season as a tryout. If no one can pull it off I’d find one in free agency as a stop gap

[Bingo]

Guessing Sharangovich is the first one up to give it a try. That would leave the 2nd and 3rd lines in place.

[Samonadreau]

Sharangovich seams like a tire fire defensively sometimes. Would be nice to leave him on the wing.

[Pekkerhead]

My guess is the next trade or two will bring back a serviceable centre.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Conroy said both Zary and Pospisil want to play centre.

I’d try Huberdeau Zary Kuzmenko.