BREAKING: Blockbuster deal in the works between two Canadian clubs
The NHL's All-Star weekend is almost upon us, but as we saw last year around this time, the Vancouver Canucks are not opposed to making a trade right before the All-Star Game. Last season, it was Bo Horvat on the move and this season it appears to be Andrei Kuzmenko.
According to ESPN's Kevin Weekes, the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are working towards a blockbuster trade that would see Kuzmenko heading off the Calgary, with Elias Lindholm being the primary piece heading the other way. Weekes was very quick to mention that this isn't exactly a done deal just yet and there could be more pieces involved in the swap.
After breaking out for 42 goals and 82 points in 82 games in 2021-22, Lindholm took a big step backwards in Calgary last season, finishing the year with 64 points in 80 games. This season, he's scored 9 goals and amassed 32 points in 49 games.
His counterpart in the deal, Kuzmenko, had notched an incredible 39 goals and 74 points in his first NHL season last year after previously having dominated in the KHL. This season, for whatever reason, Kuzmenko has lost his scoring touch, having tallied just 8 goals and 21 points in 43 games.
It's worth noting that Kuzmenko has trade protection and Calgary is on his no-trade list, so in order for the Canucks to move him to the Flames, the player would have to agree to waive his no-trade clause. Lindholm is a pending UFA and carries a $4.85M cap hit. Kuzmenko has 1 year remaining on his current deal after this one at a $5.5M cap hit.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 31 | 505 ANSWERS BREAKING: Blockbuster deal in the works between two Canadian clubs Who would you rather have on your team for a Cup run? | ||
| Andrei Kuzmenko | 114 | 22.6 % |
| Elias Lindholm | 391 | 77.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
