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The Calgary Flames have moved one in every of their marquee commerce chips.
Elias Lindholm is now a member of the Vancouver Canucks, with a considerable haul coming the opposite course.
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Lindholm, who’s headed this week to the 2024 NHL All-Star Sport in Toronto, was swapped Wednesday to the Canucks in trade for ahead Andrei Kuzmenko, defence prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo and a pair of draft selections — a first-round choose in 2024 and a conditional fourth-rounder, additionally this summer season.
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Kuzmenko, who turns 28 this weekend, is an intriguing expertise, though his inclusion is perhaps extra about balancing salaries than how he probably suits within the long-term plan on the Saddledome.
The Russian piled up 39 targets through the 2022-23 marketing campaign — throughout the NHL, solely 19 guys did extra lamp-lighting final winter — however hasn’t been in a position to replicate that manufacturing this season, with eight tallies and 13 assists in 39 video games to this point. He’s been healthy-scratched by Canucks coach Rick Tocchet on a number of events.
Kuzmenko is signed by the tip of subsequent season at an AAV of US$5.5 million. He waived a partial no-trade clause to green-light this variation of tackle, along with his agent Dan Milstein explaining in a social media publish: “Kuzmenko spoke with each the GM and head coach previous to agreeing to the commerce. He’s wanting ahead to becoming a member of the Calgary Flames.”
Brzustewicz, a third-round choice within the 2023 NHL Draft, presently leads the Ontario Hockey League in assists — and by a rustic mile. The 19-year-old blue-liner has been credited with 61 helpers in 47 outings with the Kitchener Rangers. Brzustewicz, a righty, has additionally potted eight of his personal. He’s third within the OHL’s total scoring race.
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Jurmo, a fellow third-rounder, is presently taking part in in Finland’s professional league. Whereas the 21-year-old left-hander has solely three factors this season, the stat that jumps off the web page is his measurement. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 lbs.
Lindholm has spent the previous six campaigns in Calgary, principally because the first-line centre. He has amassed 357 factors — a mixture of 148 targets and 209 assists — in 418 appearances within the Flaming C brand. On an expiring contract with an annual cap hit of US$4.85 million, the 29-year-old was anticipated to be one of many largest fish obtainable within the lead-up to the March 8 commerce deadline.
The Flames’ checklist of pending free brokers has now been whittled to 2 outstanding names — Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. Whereas deadline day remains to be 5 weeks away, Conroy proved Wednesday that he’s able to wheel and deal.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com
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