Newly acquired 40-goal scorer could potentially get dealt again

As the Flames gear up for what could be another challenging year in the Pacific Division, their chances of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, particularly securing a wildcard spot, look tough. With teams in both the Central and Pacific Divisions strengthening their rosters, the Flames will face stiff competition from rivals like Vancouver, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Vegas, and possibly Seattle.

Given the uncertainty of a playoff spot, the Flames may consider trading certain players, especially those with expiring contracts. In a recent article on The Hockey Writers, Jim Parsons suggested that Flames forward Andrei Kuzmenko could be a trade asset for General Manager Craig Conroy as the season progresses.

Parsons noted that Kuzmenko needs to prove he's more than just a goal scorer to secure a contract extension before becoming a free agent next July. If he can't round out his game, the Flames might look to trade him, potentially getting a solid return.

Kuzmenko, 28, was traded to the Flames in January by the Vancouver Canucks as part of the Elias Lindholm deal. After a rough start to his second NHL season, including healthy scratches, Kuzmenko regained his form with the Flames, scoring 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 29 games.

As the season progresses, the Flames will have to decide if Kuzmenko is part of their future plans or if they should move him before the trade deadline. The first few months of the season will be crucial in determining his fate with the team.