In an attempt to position themselves for a deep playoff run, the Vancouver Canucks made a major statement on January 31st of this year by acquiring Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm. Vancouver desperately needed a second-line center to support their top six forwards and strengthen their forward core, and Lindholm was perceived as the missing component. However, there was a price to this trade: the Canucks had to give up a number of assets to the Flames, their division rivals. The Canucks may face the Flames in a future playoff game under the present setup, and they will have to play them four times a season. The Canucks gave up too much in this transaction, and given how the season ended and how good Lindholm ended up being, it may come back to haunt them for years.
In exchange, the Canucks sent the Flames a fourth-round selection and a first-round pick in the 2024 Draft, prospects Joni Jurmo and Hunter Brzustewicz, and a struggling Andrei Kuzmenko. With this deal, the Canucks were prepared to go to any lengths to acquire this player. The management was only concerned in obtaining Lindholm, whatever of the cost. However, given the amount they paid, dominoes would soon fall, demonstrating to Vancouver that the group had overpaid.
Shortly after the move, Kuzmenko appeared to have found his game and began scoring points for the Flames. The Russian winger almost quadrupled his goal total with his new team in less games, scoring 14 goals in 29 games, after having eight goals in 43 games with the Canucks. That was just the first domino to fall, though.
You never know if prospects you’re leaving with, as the Canucks did with Jurmo and Brzustewicz, will go on to become NHL players. However, after just five months, the Flames have been quite impressed with both prospects, and general manager (GM) Craig Conroy appears to have aspirations for both of them to play for his club. The Flames signed both defensemen to entry-level contracts, and they will soon be playing for the Calgary Wranglers in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Speaking at the Flames’ latest development camp, Conroy discussed both players. He stated, “We were excited to be able to get Brzustewicz because he sees the ice so well offensively.” in response to a question on the player. Conroy then discussed Jurmo, saying, “I don’t think I was expecting the offensive output he had. He had a great week.” He moves well, has good size, and is competitive. I believe he’s had an amazing week. As they rise through the prospect ranks, both of these guys are almost NHL-ready and may have a significant effect on the Flames.
Next, you observe the development of the draft selections. At pick 28, the Flames managed to hold onto the Canucks’ draft pick and chose Russian prospect Matvei Gridin of the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. Gridin finished with 38 goals and 83 points for the Lumberjacks. According to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, Gridin will be decommitting from the University of Michigan because of inadequate grades, and he is anticipated to play in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Rimouski Oceanic the following season. During development camp, Gridin already signed an NHL contract, making him a part of Calgary’s future.
