Canucks trade Kuzmenko for Flames' Lindholm

Vancouver Canucks' Andrei Kuzmenko (96) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired centre Elias Lindholm in a trade with the Calgary Flames, the teams announced Wednesday evening.

In return, the Flames are getting winger Andrei Kuzmenko.

The trade package also includes Canucks prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, as well as a first-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft.

“First of all, I want to thank Kuzy for all that he did for the Vancouver Canucks. Andrei worked hard at improving his game and trying to adjust to life as a pro in North America,” general manager Patrik Allvin said in a news release Wednesday.

The Canucks signed the Yakustsk, Russia native in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. During his 124 career NHL games with the Canucks, the 27-year-old has scored 47 goals and racked up 87 points.

Kuzmenko has struggled this season, with only eight goals and 21 assists in 43 games so far and has been a healthy scratch multiple times.

Kuzmenko signed a two-year, US$11 million contract extension in January 2023.

The forward has been open about his point production struggles this season and has been moved up and down lines by Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet.

Tocchet labelled Kuzmenko's play during this season as just “OK,” and says the forward needs “to start to play a little harder.”

“I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season,” he said in November.

After news of the trade broke, Kuzmenko took to Instagram to thank Canucks fans. 

"I want to thank you very much for unconditional love and support. I will never forget how you welcomed me into the NHL for the rest of my life," he wrote. "These 1.5 years were unforgettable! See you on the ice!"

“In acquiring Elias Lindholm we feel that he vastly improves our hockey team. He is a proven front line performer and will give head coach Rick Tocchet some more options when putting together our top two lines,” Allvin said of the team’s newly acquired player.

The 29-year-old from Boden, Sweden has been playing in the NHL for over a decade, as part of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Calgary Flames.

Across 792 career NHL games, Lindholm has tallied 545 points. He has appeared in 27 playoff games, during which he racked up 17 points. He has also competed for Team Sweden at the World Championships and World Juniors, helping the country earn a gold metal in the former and two silvers in the latter.

“The 6’1” 202-pound forward was named alternate captain for Calgary this season and led all Flames forwards in time on ice per game, averaging 20:45. After an impressive start to the season, Lindholm is set to make his NHL All-Star debut in Toronto this weekend,” the Canucks release continues.

Former Canucks goalie—and fellow Swede—Eddie Lack chimed in on social media to praise the newest Canuck. “You guys will LOVE him!” he wrote. “What a player, what a person!”

The Canucks and the Boston Bruins are currently tied for the top spot in the league, with 71 points each.

With files from The Canadian Press