The Calgary Flames could use another reliable, steady sort on the left side of their blue-line.
Yan Kuznetsov has been waiting for an opportunity to show he can be just that.
The 23-year-old Kuznetsov was called up Tuesday from the AHL’s Wranglers. His addition means that the Flames are once again carrying eight defencemen on their active roster.
Wranglers bench boss Brett Sutter was likely aware this news was coming when he was asked during a radio interview Monday if he believed that Kuznetsov, a second-round pick in 2020 and an imposing presence at 6 foot 5 and 220 pounds, was ready for primetime.
“I hope so. I think he has all the tools to be a really good NHL player,” Sutter replied during his weekly appearance on Flames Talk on Sportsnet 960 The Fan. “For him, he’s never going to be the guy who is going to rack up 100 points. He’s just going to be that guy that is steady-Eddie, move the puck to his partner, move the puck up the ice. He’s a simple player but he gets the job done. And as a coach, that’s what you want is consistency and reliability out of your back end.
“He’s everything to our group and I’m looking forward to seeing him get an opportunity, hopefully sooner than later.”
Kuznetsov so far has only one NHL game on his resumé, back in January 2024. His current contract upgrades to a one-way next season, an indication the Flames expect him to soon be a regular, and he has been studying video of Kevin Bahl as he looks to make the most of his long reach and big frame.
This rangy rearguard has logged 226 career appearances in the AHL. He posted a plus-21 rating last winter, by far the best among Wranglers, and has recorded two goals in his 10 minor-league outings this fall.
Get more Calgary Flames coverage delivered directly to your email inbox: Sign up here for our Playing With Fire newsletter.