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The Calgary Flames have moved one of their marquee trade chips.
Elias Lindholm is now a member of the Vancouver Canucks, with a substantial haul coming the other direction.
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Lindholm, who is headed this week to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, was swapped Wednesday to the Canucks in exchange for forward Andrei Kuzmenko, defence prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo and a pair of draft choices — a first-round pick in 2024 and a conditional fourth-rounder, also this summer.
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Kuzmenko, who turns 28 this weekend, is an intriguing talent, although his inclusion might be more about balancing salaries than how he potentially fits in the long-term plan at the Saddledome.
The Russian piled up 39 goals during the 2022-23 campaign — across the NHL, only 19 guys did more lamp-lighting last winter — but hasn’t been able to replicate that production this season, with eight tallies and 13 assists in 39 games so far. He’s been healthy-scratched by Canucks coach Rick Tocchet on multiple occasions.
Kuzmenko is signed through the end of next season at an AAV of US$5.5 million. He waived a partial no-trade clause to green-light this change of address, with his agent Dan Milstein explaining in a social media post: “Kuzmenko spoke with both the GM and head coach prior to agreeing to the trade. He is looking forward to joining the Calgary Flames.”
Brzustewicz, a third-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, currently leads the Ontario Hockey League in assists — and by a country mile. The 19-year-old blue-liner has been credited with 61 helpers in 47 outings with the Kitchener Rangers. Brzustewicz, a righty, has also potted eight of his own. He is third in the OHL’s overall scoring race.
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Jurmo, a fellow third-rounder, is currently playing in Finland’s pro league. While the 21-year-old left-hander has only three points this season, the stat that jumps off the page is his size. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 lbs.
Lindholm has spent the past six campaigns in Calgary, mostly as the first-line centre. He has amassed 357 points — a mix of 148 goals and 209 assists — in 418 appearances in the Flaming C logo. On an expiring contract with an annual cap hit of US$4.85 million, the 29-year-old was expected to be one of the biggest fish available in the lead-up to the March 8 trade deadline.
The Flames’ list of pending free agents has now been whittled to two prominent names — Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. While deadline day is still five weeks away, Conroy proved Wednesday that he is ready to wheel and deal.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com
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