Flames’ Andrei Kuzmenko to be a healthy scratch against Blue Jackets on Tuesday
A notable player will be snacking it up in the press box on Tuesday night.
Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 was the first to report that Calgary Flames forward Andrei Kuzmenko is going to be scratched for the team’s matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kuzmenko was seen taking some extra reps during the Flames’ morning skate.
Andrei Kuzmenko is indeed getting healthy scratched tonight vs. Columbus. He’s working late after an optional morning skate.
Joel Hanley and Tyson Barrie will also sit out tonight. Dan Vladar starts in net. #Flames
Steinberg also reported that defensemen Joel Hanley and Tyson Barrie will also be sitting for Tuesday night’s game.
Kuzmenko has not had the best of starts to the 2024-25 season. Through 25 games, the 28-year-old has scored just one goal, posting eight assists for nine points, and has been held off the scoresheet in his last nine appearances. His lone goal came in Calgary’s 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 15.
The Russian winger came into the new campaign expected to improve on his finish to 2023-24. Kuzmenko had a tumultuous start to last season with the Vancouver Canucks, having been a healthy scratch five times by early January. However, he was given a new opportunity with the Flames after he was part of the deal that sent Elias Lindholm to the Canucks. Kuzmenko played well in 29 games with the Flames, scoring 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points. However, that momentum hasn’t carried into this year.
Kuzmenko went undrafted before signing as a free agent with the Canucks in July 2022. His rookie season was fruitful, notching 39 goals and 35 assists for 74 points in 81 games. In 178 career NHL appearances, he has posted 62 goals and 67 assists for 129 points.
The Flames (12-9-4) are tied for fourth in the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers, five points back of the first-place Vegas Golden Knights.