Hot streak or sneak preview? Kuzmenko on offensive tear for Flames

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In the course of the all-star break, because the Calgary Flames finalized a commerce for Andrei Kuzmenko, assistant coach Marc Savard opened his laptop computer and logged on to the video scouting software program.

Kuzmenko, as an NHL beginner, had scored 39 targets final season on behalf of the Vancouver Canucks. Savard, who oversees the Flames’ ahead forged and power-play items, watched clips of each single certainly one of ’em.

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“You dive proper in to see the place he scores all his targets,” Savard defined. “And it appeared like they have been all proper across the internet.

“While you return and take a look at his 39 targets, they’re all proper there. That was a pleasant factor to see as a result of we wanted a man like that.”

When Kuzmenko is at his finest, each group might use a man like this.

Whereas the Russian right-winger insisted Wednesday that he’s had a “very horrible” season, and significantly a foul begin, he’s supplied a tantalizing glimpse over the previous week of all that he can convey to his new group.

Skating alongside veteran pivot Nazem Kadri and rookie pest Martin Pospisil on what may very well be thought-about Calgary’s high line, the 28-year-old Kuzmenko has strung collectively three straight multi-point performances, with 4 targets and a pair of fairly main assists throughout that scorching span.

Kuzmenko was one of many few shiny spots for the Flames in Tuesday’s 5-3 house loss to the Anaheim Geese. His first of two tallies was highlight-reel materials — he weaved into the slot, evaded a stick-check and outwaited opposing netminder Lukas Dostal earlier than draining a low shot. On his second, he was … you guessed it … parked on the fringe of the blue paint when Pospisil’s try caromed off his left skate. As Flames head coach Ryan Huska summed up: “He is aware of the place to attain targets. So he goes there.”

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“Which aim I like?” Kuzmenko stated throughout an animated media scrum Wednesday on the Saddledome. “Second, as a result of I keep. I don’t transfer. Pospy shoots at my skates and, ‘Oh yeah, it’s a aim. Good aim.’ I like these targets as a result of I don’t have to maneuver.”

Beaming as he delivered that wisecrack, his grin then disappeared. He all of a sudden turned severe.

“Actually, don’t joke … I consider in my energy. I consider in myself.”

Kuzmenko’s offensive skills have by no means been in query.

In his 21 appearances up to now within the Flaming C brand, and particularly since he recovered from an sickness, you may see why he was a marquee scorer within the KHL and why he was a right away impact-sort upon arrival in Vancouver. You probably have the chance to look at him fiddle on the finish of follow or pre-game warm-up, his puck abilities are foolish, in a great way.

You too can generally see why Kuzmenko wound up in Rick Tocchet’s doghouse. The Canucks’ skipper didn’t belief his defensive work, wasn’t at all times happy with the quantity of dig-in.

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“When he has the puck within the offensive zone, you may see the cutbacks and you may see how he could make performs and go to the web and he’s very sturdy on his skates, in order that’s what makes him a great participant for us,” Huska stated. “Over the past three video games, the factors apart, he’s been across the puck rather a lot. And he appears to have a little bit little bit of chemistry with Marty and Naz, so we’d prefer to see that proceed.

“You at all times need each certainly one of your gamers to have some enhancements away from the puck and he’s no totally different, in order that’s an space he’ll preserve engaged on. However we do like what we’re seeing as regards to how he’s enjoying with the puck within the offensive zone.”

When the Flames and Canucks have been discussing a swap for Elias Lindholm, the West Coasters wanted to clear some cap house to make it occur.

That’s why, when the deal was introduced, many have been describing Kuzmenko as a wage dump.

Savard, as he studied replays of these 39 lamp-lightings from final winter, was seeing greater than that.

Heading into Thursday’s showdown with the Jets in Winnipeg (6 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), Kuzmenko has up to now scored 17 in his second NHL season. He’s buried greater than half of these since waiving his no-trade clause to approve the transfer to Calgary. Actually, with 9 notches, he’s tied for the Flames’ group lead for the reason that all-star break.

Signed via the top of the 2024-25 marketing campaign, followers stay fascinated by the brand new man in No. 96, by the place he may match on the depth chart and whether or not this three-game tear is just a scorching streak or a sneak preview of what’s to come back.

“I’m feeling a little bit higher from begin in Calgary,” Kuzmenko stated. “I’m feeling day by day is best. I wish to assist this group.”

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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