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

[D as in David]

It's only been one game but if Kuzmenko could bring Huberdeau back to life, it would like adding a 1st line winger to the return on the trade at the cost of losing whatever level of player Huby was playing at.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

If he elevates Huberdeau then that's one hell of a trade by the Conman.

Addressing huge now and future needs. It's rare that you can do that all in one trade! Have to tip your cap at how it's looking in the early goings.

[Johnny Makarov]

LOL. Canuck fans are going to be surprised with Lindholm in the playoffs!

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by D as in David

It's only been one game but if Kuzmenko could bring Huberdeau back to life, it would like adding a 1st line winger to the return on the trade at the cost of losing whatever level of if player Huby was playing at.

Huberdeau was a point per game for like 13 games before the trade. Kuzmenko had goals coming into tonight. If anyone is going to come back to life it's going to be Kuzmenko. That line looked great tonight.


It really does make you wonder if Lindholm was the problem. I couldn't stand Lindholm this year he seemed incredibly disinterested..

[blankall]

At first I didn't get why Kuzmenko agreed to waive his NTC to come to Calgary. It makes perfect sense now. This year is a write off for him. He needs to put himself in the best position possible for next year, as it's a contract year that will decide his fate in the NHL. Calgary offers him top line and top PP minutes to and both him and the club have a joint interest in showcasing him and pumping up his numbers. Next year Kuzmenko gets to choose wherever he wants to go.

[Mathgod]

It looks like Kuzmenko was identified as a potentially great fit to play with Huby. Conny may have made the Flames a better team on the ice while acquiring futures at the same time. Between this and the Toffoli trade, Conny is absolutely crushing it so far. Best GM we've had in a long time!

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by blankall

At first I didn't get why Kuzmenko agreed to waive his NTC to come to Calgary. It makes perfect sense now. This year is a write off for him. He needs to put himself in the best position possible for next year, as it's a contract year that will decide his fate in the NHL. Calgary offers him top line and top PP minutes to and both him and the club have a joint interest in showcasing him and pumping up his numbers. Next year Kuzmenko gets to choose wherever he wants to go.

He's under contract for another year. Then he will have that option.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

LOL. Canuck fans are going to be surprised with Lindholm in the playoffs!

Probably one of the quietest Flames in all the playoff appearances for the treliving core.

Just kind of... fizzled out.

But maybe he actually puts the work in for VAN after taking half the season off so far.

[Goriders]

Kuzmenko is the first Flames player I have seen that looks like he sees the game the same way Huberdeau does.

Exciting is an understatement.

Get Huberdeau going. Get the powerplay going. Add a scoring threat.

Conroy is a magician.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

I don't even comprehend how they were moving the puck around like they were in the 1st with so little practice time logged together..

[Roof-Daddy]

If Lindholm out / Kuzmenko in is what sparks Huby to find his 80+ point swagger again, this trade will be one for the books just on that alone.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If Lindholm out / Kuzmenko in is what sparks Huby to find his 80+ point swagger again, this trade will be one for the books just on that alone.

Agreed.

Swapping two players that might actually improve Calgary’s offensive production and save us cap space going forward? Solid trade!

And a first round draft pick to boot? Incredible deal!

Wait, and two solid defensive prospects on top of that? Larceny!

… and a cond 4th round pick as a sweetener, that could become a third?? Insane!

Insert Vince McMahon losing it gif here.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

No, trade is tied again!

Wrong, our 2024 first round pick scored two goals on Sunday.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Kidder

Agreed.

Swapping two players that might actually improve Calgary’s offensive production and save us cap space going forward? Solid trade!

And a first round draft pick to boot? Incredible deal!

Wait, and two solid defensive prospects on top of that? Larceny!

… and a cond 4th round pick as a sweetener, that could become a third?? Insane!

Insert Vince McMahon losing it gif here.

All in exchange for one overrated, underperforming, malcontented player. Quite an impressive feat when you put that all together.

[OutOfTheCube]

It's definitely an encouraging first game but I'd stop short of running victory laps yet.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

LOL. Canuck fans are going to be surprised with Lindholm in the playoffs!

I'm not going to go all Dino7 on Lindholm as I liked him while he was a Flame and think he'll be a solid player going forward but he was only able to get the two goals in his debut which is only two-thirds of a Joe Colborne new team debut.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I'm not going to go all Dino7 on Lindholm as I liked him while he was a Flame and think he'll be a solid player going forward but he was only able to get the two goals in his debut which is only two-thirds of a Joe Colborne new team debut.

Well we were all hoping for a Jokinen vs Flyers debut. Hat trick in the 1st game to get all our hopes up only to be dashed the rest of the season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

It's definitely an encouraging first game but I'd stop short of running victory laps yet.

It was always a victory even if Kuzmenko didn't pan out. First round pick, 2 decent prospects and no retention. And what a pending UFA player does with another team is moot, since you weren't keeping him and you weren't winning with him this year.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

^ I think that's the right take if you consider victory to be "this was a good trade for us" and not "we fleeced the other team", which is the viewpoint I think makes sense. The only way it could not be a win is if Kuzmenko turned into a major cap anchor for next season and that seems quite unlikely - like, 10% chance of that, 90% he's at least a useful one-dimensional offensive and PP guy, which the team clearly needs.

EDIT: From Vancouver's perspective, though, people focusing on the two PP goals in first game thing... that isn't what they acquired him for. It's a nice bonus, but what they got him for was PK and even strength. He probably hasn't got the PK figured out yet in only one practice so likely not a big contribution in that phase, but as far as even strength results, he led them in ice time and the Hurricanes didn't score at even strength. And it's the Hurricanes; even strength is what they do. That's probably the most encouraging sign for them.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Well we were all hoping for a Jokinen vs Flyers debut. Hat trick in the 1st game to get all our hopes up only to be dashed the rest of the season.

Myself and every one else "oilered" pretty hard after that game.

The one time I tabbed the Flames as cup favorites and it was a bit shameful in retrospect.

But they fooled us good. Many thought Jokinen was that missing center/piece