When Andrei Kuzmenko was acquired by the Calgary Flames just before the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend in February, nobody really thought much of it at the time. Kuzmenko was having a tough year on a very good Vancouver Canucks team and was sitting as a healthy scratch on several occasions.
Kuzmenko was thrown in the trade to the Flames essentially as a cap dump, but since coming to Calgary, Kuzmenko has done more than just fill a roster spot, he has been quite the bright spot for the Flames in a year where there hasn’t been much to get excited about.
Kuzmenko finding his footing in Calgary
It was no secret when Kuzmenko came over in the trade that he was struggling this season. After an unbelievable first year in the NHL last season where he scored 39 goals and had 74 points, he was not able to recreate that magic in Vancouver in the first half of the season. At the time of the trade, Kuzmenko only scored eight times and had only 21 points in 43 games, he was in the doghouse in Vancouver, and there seemingly looked like no way out for the Russian-born winger.
Things changed when he came to Calgary. He was thrust into a top-line role and quickly made an impact as he scored in his first game as a Flame and it seemed like he of all guys unlocked Jonathan Huberdeau‘s full potential. However, the hot start didn’t last long as Kuzmenko began to bounce around the lineup before getting hurt, he would miss a few games due to injury, but he came back like he was shot out of a cannon.
Kuzmenko is on a roll with the Flames now, he is up to 19 points and 10 goals in 25 games with the Flames and is certainly now finding chemistry with Nazem Kadri. He has made some highlight reel plays and has given the Flames an element of excitement not seen since Johnny Gaudreau was a Calgary Flame. Kuzmenko has just been a treat to watch.
What is next for Kuzmenko?
Kuzmenko will have one year left on his contract at $5.5 million after this season concludes. He will most likely begin next season in Calgary, but as a player who will be able to test the open market in the summer of 2025, if the Flames cannot reach an agreement to keep Kuzemko in Calgary, he will no doubt be shipped off before the trade deadline next season.
Kuzmenko has been a great addition—he has tons of skill, can make plays that almost no one else on the roster can make, and has extremely good vibes from the looks of all of his interviews and backstage footage we get to see of him. He has quickly become a fan favourite.
He might be someone the Flames will try to prioritize to keep, but if this level of play from Kuzmenko can continue into next season, who is to say that the Flames wouldn’t be able to land a couple of assets for a player that they essentially got for free. Only time will tell, but for now, all we can do is enjoy the ride that Kuzmenko is taking all of us on.
