The Calgary Flames are projected to shuffle their lines for their evening game against the Ottawa Senators. Without Dennis Gilbert, the Flames are expected to give Yan Kuznetsov his first game at the NHL level.
Who is Yan Kuznetsov?
Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, the Flames took Kuznetsov with the 50th pick. A Russian-born blueliner, Kuznetsov moved over to the US for the 2018–19 season, playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. He then committed to the University of Connecticut Huskies for his college career. In 34 college games, he put up 11 points, logging massive minutes as one of the youngest rookie defencemen in the league.
He would play his second season with UConn in the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, before signing his entry-level contract with the Flames and joining the Stockton Heat for the latter part of their season.
He would start his next season with the Heat, playing 12 games but recording no points, before being transferred to the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs. Playing alongside Jeremie Poirier and former Flames prospect Ryan Francis, he would put up 13 points in 25 games and go on to win the Memorial Cup with the CHL side.
He then spent the last season and the first part of this one in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers, playing as a highly defensive defenceman. Kuznetsov had 19 points last season, but found his way mostly into second and third pairing assignments. He never really made a name for himself as a top guy for the Wranglers.
What to expect from his call-up?
It’s hard to put expectations on a prospect in his first game, but expect Kuznetsov to play a strong defensive game without being an overly offensive force. He is a very large man, standing 6’4″ and weighing in over 200 pounds—you should be able to notice him when he is on the ice. He hasn’t always been great at pushing his weight around, but has taken major strides in this area, and should be an imposing presence tonight.
All the best to Kuznetsov in his first NHL game!
Photo by Marissa Baecker via NHL.com
