Don’t write Andrei Kuzmenko off just yet.
The Calgary Flames forward, by his own admittance, is having a tough season. The former 39-goal scorer has found the back of the net just four times and has been held out of the lineup on several occasions as a healthy scratch.
That said, he’s beginning to show signs of life.
Flames head coach Ryan Huska has said over and over that he wants to see Kuzmenko shoot the puck more. In an eight-game stretch from November 30 to January 11, the 28-year-old registered just one shot on net, and it was clear his confidence was at an all-time low.
Kuzmenko was finally able to find the back of the net 10 days ago, however, beating Winnipeg Jets goalie Eric Comrie with a perfect shot that few players are capable of making.
“He’s a smart player, so sometimes he likes to have people around the net when he shoots the puck, because he feels like there’s a greater chance for it to go in, which totally makes sense,” Huska said after Kuzmenko’s goal against the Jets. “I look at his shot as a bit of a weapon that can create some second opportunities as well if it doesn’t happen to go in.”
Kuzmenko has been a streaky player over the past two seasons, which had many hoping that goal could get him going. So far, that appears to be the case.
Just two games later, Kuzmenko scored a pair while also registering an assist in a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Wild. He registered three shots in that outing and threw another three on net in Sunday’s loss to the Jets. Despite being held pointless in that outing, he had over 16 minutes of ice time, the most he’s played since mid-November.
Kuzmenko could receive trade interest
Before the season began, the expectation was that the Flames would be sellers come the trade deadline. That plan has shifted, not only due to injuries to players like Anthony Mantha but also thanks to the team’s impressive play through the first half of the season. They’re currently in a playoff spot, one point up on the Vancouver Canucks.
Another player Calgary expected to move was Kuzmenko, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
Kuzmenko scored 14 goals and 25 points in 29 games with the Flames last season following a trade from the Canucks in January. The season prior, he managed 39 goals and 74 points in 81 outings.
His production has taken a nose dive this season, but he’s seeming to show more jump and offensive prowess over his last few games. It’s clearly caught Huska’s attention, and should it keep up, it will soon get the attention of other GMs across the NHL.
His value in a trade isn’t anywhere close to what it would have been before the 2024-25 season got underway. That said, the Flames have plenty of cap space available to retain some of his $5.5 million cap hit. Would that be enough for a team to consider parting ways with a draft pick to acquire his services? It remains to be seen, but it’s worth keeping an eye on for Flames fans as the March 7 trade deadline inches closer.
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