To place issues plainly, Kuzmenko is a pending unrestricted free agent needing a change of surroundings. The soon-to-be 29-year-old has struggled to remain within the lineup this season regardless of a $5.5M cap hit. Whereas he missed a while as a consequence of a lower-body harm in December, he was lately a wholesome scratch for a three-game stretch and has been restricted to 37 of Calgary’s 49 video games general. In these appearances, the Russian sniper is averaging simply over one shot on objective per recreation and has transformed at a career-worst 10.3% fee, figuring out to solely 4 objectives and 11 assists for 15 factors.
That dip in manufacturing is proof of the 5-foot-11 winger’s inconsistency, however he’s proven flashes of correct top-six play since arriving within the NHL as an undrafted free-agent signing by the Canucks in 2022. He erupted for 39 objectives and 74 factors in his rookie season whereas enjoying totally on Elias Pettersson’s wing, capturing at a league-high 27.3% and averaging over 16 minutes per recreation with sturdy possession metrics (52.9 CF%, 55.2 xGF% at even power).
Kuzmenko landed a wealthy two-year, $11M extension halfway via his rookie marketing campaign because of his efforts, however it’s been marred by up-and-down play. His manufacturing dropped to eight objectives and 21 factors via the primary 43 video games of the 2023-24 marketing campaign earlier than he was despatched to Calgary within the deal that despatched Elias Lindholm to the Canucks. He rediscovered his sharp-shooting methods after the transfer to Alberta, ending the season with 14 objectives and 11 assists for 25 factors in 29 appearances. He was the second-most productive Flames ahead after the swap on a per-game foundation, trailing solely Nazem Kadri (36 factors in 33 video games).
However as in Vancouver, Kuzmenko hasn’t been in a position to carry his manufacturing over into yr two along with his new membership. His minus-seven score ranks fourth-worst on the group, however possession metrics paint a a lot rosier image. His 53.6 CF% at even power is sixth on the group and fourth amongst forwards, whereas his anticipated +1.9 score is fifth. He’s not producing practically sufficient particular person offense to make his power as a scorer shine via, however he’s not been a significant legal responsibility away from the puck, both.
Philly picks up an inconsistent however high-ceiling possibility on the wing in Kuzmenko, they usually choose up the same however youthful archetype in Pelletier. Chosen within the first spherical by the Flames in 2019, he’s solely simply starting to interrupt via as an impression NHLer. The 23-year-old has solely 10 factors in 37 profession appearances coming into the season and even cleared waivers on his manner all the way down to the minors initially of the season. He’s gotten extra possibilities within the NHL lineup because the marketing campaign has progressed, although, and has earned an on a regular basis position within the lineup during the last six weeks.
Since first being recalled initially of December, Pelletier is tied for sixth on the Flames in scoring with 11 factors (4 G, 7 A) in 23 video games. He additionally has a team-high +10 score throughout that span regardless of averaging solely 12:57 per recreation. There’s important upside with each gamers, particularly if thrust into constant top-six roles.
The Flyers additionally open up some long-term flexibility by dealing Farabee, who’s had comparable struggles to Kuzmenko this season, to Calgary. He prices barely lower than Kuzmenko towards the cap — $500K, to be precise — however is signed via the 2027-28 marketing campaign. Philadelphia will get out of Kuzmenko’s deal in a number of months and likewise open up short-term cap area by swapping the $2.1M Frost for a six-figure Pelletier.
