2024 Off-season trade rumours and speculation thread

[dammage79]

I'd keep Kuzmenko. Upside is he stays healthy and scores a metric ton of PP goals. Downside is he flat lines and we get a high pick anyway. It's a win win. No downside to keeping the guy. And if he likes it here, makes it seem more important to keep players who want to be here

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Wasn't he struggling with illness also?

He was which had him out of shape. Then he also had to adapt to a new team and a new system. Once he got those things in order he played at a 128 point clip. Now I am not suggesting Kuzmenko is going to challenge for an Art Ross but this guy has elite level skill and he is fun to watch with great personality. Vancouver made a big mistake when they misused him and then cut bait, for a team that struggled in the playoffs to score especially. If you can get him at 6x6 with a m-ntc instead of a full NMC on an extension that is a no brainer to me.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Kuzmenko, in both style and production, reminds me so much of Alexei Kovalev.

From age 32-35 with Montreal, Kovalev had 65, 49, 84 and 65 points.

It doesn’t seem too outlandish to project that if he were to continue to get prime PP time with our current core + whatever kids arise to take their place.

And I cannot belabour this point enough - having a Russian star player (or more than one) in the fold long term can only help recruit additional Russians to the city.

And that country produces too many quality hockey players for Kuzmenko to be our first Russian forward since Oleg Saprykin.

After targeting Grushnikov and Miromanov in his deadline deals (and Kuzmenko), it’s fair to say This thought seems to have occurred to Conroy as well.

Not sure Kuzmenko touches the game the same way Kovalev .. he was an all time talent to many.

Kuzmenko has a boatload of skill and is excellent on the powerplay but I don't see him as an elite forward.

But yeah, as I said above if he does a four year deal it fits well. But more than that and you're taking it past your Kovalev timeline.

[D as in David]

I think Kuzmenko has the potential for 40+ goals in the right situation. Hopefully, he's on that pace when the Flames trade him at the TDL.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I think Kuzmenko has the potential for 40+ goals in the right situation. Hopefully, he's on that pace when the Flames trade him at the TDL.

Well he potted 39 in his rookie campaign, and he only played 81 games, so 50/50 chance he hits 40 if he doesn't miss that game.

So I would say the potential is probably there to push it up to 40, yeah.

[Monahammer]

I love Kuzmenko- Player and personality are 100%.

But it would be outrageously foolish not to sell him for the best deal possible this deadline. Especially if he's playing like dynamite. We can't afford his next contract, and shouldn't structure our team around contracts like he will deserve. We can't win a cup with him, huberdeau and Kadri on the roster at once.

[TheScorpion]

I'd give Kuzmenko all the money he wants over two or three years at the very most. I'd still rather they move him but I understand the value of trying to let him build up a bigger resume. But if someone wants him badly, pull the trigger now.

[Monahammer]

Sharangovich is the one who plays like Kovalev out of the two.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'd give Kuzmenko all the money he wants over two or three years at the very most. I'd still rather they move him but I understand the value of trying to let him build up a bigger resume. But if someone wants him badly, pull the trigger now.

Yeah, best case scenario for me is that some team overpays for him in the summer, second is that he has a banger of a year and then the Flames trade him at the deadline, and worst case is any kind of deal that goes beyond three years after the Flames finish 11th overall.

[Groot]

I don't understand this notion that once a player signs an extension they are untradeable. Isn't there a conversation any deadline about players with term, will they re-sign, or are they purely a rental?

Kuzmenko is coming off a down season where he was a cap dump. Leverage that and re-sign him to $5.5 x 4. Then he either plays to that value and you can trade him anytime for a fair return, he plays above that value and now he's a player with term on a value contract and you get a huge return, or he plays below that level and the Flames have a bit of overpaid cap tied up for a period where they aren't going to compete anyway and won't need the cap, and they can trade him while retaining salary at any time.

Sign Kuzmenko to an extension on July 1.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Groot

Sign Kuzmenko to an extension on July 1.

That requires Kuzmenko to want to sign a contract after a subpar season. My guess is he only does that if the Flames offer him an untradeable contract.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Sharangovich is the one who plays like Kovalev out of the two.

But Kuzmenko produces like him - career PPG of .783 to Kovalev’s .781.

…god damn, what do I not know because I know that…

[Paulie Walnuts]

I'd dump Kuzmenko instead of paying him. You get a asset back that likely fits your group of players that will form the next core of this team, at worst a complimentary player who will be on the team longer than Kuzmenko.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

But Kuzmenko produces like him - career PPG of .783 to Kovalev’s .781.

…god damn, what do I not know because I know that…

Kovalev did that over 1300 games though lol

[Tacoman]

I think one of the big traps that rebuilding teams (and maybe mostly their fans) get into is the mindset of trading everyone of value that isn't under the age of 25. That's how you end up with a 13 year rebuild like Buffalo and Edmonton. Young players need good players to play with or else they just don't develop. If a guy with that kind of skill is willing to sign at a reasonable rate, keep him. If not - sure get some assets but we shouldn't look to strip this team to the studs.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Tacoman

I think one of the big traps that rebuilding teams (and maybe mostly their fans) get into is the mindset of trading everyone of value that isn't under the age of 25. That's how you end up with a 13 year rebuild like Buffalo and Edmonton. Young players need good players to play with or else they just don't develop. If a guy with that kind of skill is willing to sign at a reasonable rate, keep him. If not - sure get some assets but we shouldn't look to strip this team to the studs.

We still have Weegar, Huberdeau, Coleman, Kadri, maybe Backlund and Andersson.

It's not that bad.

[Parallex]

... Kuzmenko get's like 80% of his draws in the O-zone. I don't much fancy committing to a guy that needs such lopsided zone draws to be effective. If we can move him then we should. He's a luxery item that the right team will want but the Flames aren't that team.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Groot

I don't understand this notion that once a player signs an extension they are untradeable. Isn't there a conversation any deadline about players with term, will they re-sign, or are they purely a rental?

Kuzmenko is coming off a down season where he was a cap dump. Leverage that and re-sign him to $5.5 x 4. Then he either plays to that value and you can trade him anytime for a fair return, he plays above that value and now he's a player with term on a value contract and you get a huge return, or he plays below that level and the Flames have a bit of overpaid cap tied up for a period where they aren't going to compete anyway and won't need the cap, and they can trade him while retaining salary at any time.

Sign Kuzmenko to an extension on July 1.

If he'll accept $5.5 x 4 sure. But players bet on themselves, and I expect he'd reject that deal. Especially the term on what is likely his last big contract.

What's the most you'd give him in terms of AAV and especially ter?. 6x$6 has been thrown around, you up for that?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Kovalev did that over 1300 games though lol

Kuzmenko’s PPG seems affected mostly by being coached by Rick Tochett. Away from him, he scores at a 40 goal pace.

Tochett would’ve hated Kovalev too.

Incidentally, Kovalev only broke 80+ twice. 2000-01 with the Penguins (95), and 2007-08 with the Habs (84).

Otherwise, he was a 50-70 point player the bulk of his career.

But you do need 50-70 point players. And the Calgary Flames do need to keep some of the players who have demonstrated they work well with the guys who are signed for another 5-7 years.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Parallex

... Kuzmenko get's like 80% of his draws in the O-zone. I don't much fancy committing to a guy that needs such lopsided zone draws to be effective. If we can move him then we should. He's a luxery item that the right team will want but the Flames aren't that team.

Panarin gets 86% of his starts in the offensive zone. Teams often do that (let offensive guys who can score) start in the offensive zone.