Not So Good News With Former Vancouver Canucks forward Andre Kuzmenko & the Calgary Flames
Photo credit: Sergei Belski - Imagn Images
Former Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko appears to be heading to the press box for tonight's game between the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.
It's going to be an emotional night at the Saddledome in Calgary as the Flames host the Columbus Blue Jackets, with the family of Johnny Gaudreau in attendance.
The Flames took to the ice for their morning skate on Tuesday and it appears that they've made a pretty big decision with their forward group including a former Vancouver Canuck.
Former Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko to be a healthy scratch
According to reports, Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska has made the decision to scratch Andrei Kuzmenko from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jackets.
Ryan Huska spoke to reporters after the morning skate about the decision to make Andrei Kuzmenko a healthy scratch, saying that he needs to take a step back and breathe a bit.
"Sometimes a player just needs to take a step back and catch his breath a little bit. I think Andrei's in that category right now. Watching a game and having a little different view as to what's going on and where he is a good player sometimes is important, just to take a step back and have a chance to watch." Ryan Huska said according to Colton Pankiw of Daily Hive.
Kuzmenko, a native of Yakutsk, Russia has struggled during his first full season as a Calgary Flame, registering just one goal and nine points in 25 games.
The 28-year-old came over to North America to join the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent ahead of the 2022-23 season, where he was solid, putting up 39 goals and 74 points in 81 games.
It looked like the Canucks had a legit offensive weapon to compliment Elias Pettersson in their top-six, but after the team hired Rick Tocchet, things went south for Andrei Kuzmenko and eventually, in January of this year, Patrik Allvin traded him to the Flames in the Elias Lindholm deal.
This is a big season for Andrei Kuzmenko as he's set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, 2025 and he'll need to start producing for the Flames if he hopes to cash in on Canada Day.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 3 | 319 ANSWERS Not So Good News With Former Vancouver Canucks forward Andre Kuzmenko & the Calgary Flames Do you agree with the Calgary Flames' decision to make Andrei Kuzmenko a healthy scratch? | ||
| Yes | 225 | 70.5 % |
| No, should put him in a better position to succeed | 94 | 29.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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