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 summoned Tuesday from the AHL’s Wranglers.
His addition means that the Flames are once again carrying eight defencemen on their active roster, but this latest call-up is going to get a shot to prove he is ready to be a regular.
Kuznetsov is an imposing presence at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. Some have wondered if his stay-at-home style could make him an ideal complement, whether it’s now or down the road, to rookie righty Zayne Parekh.
“When you look at our back-end, the way we’ve been kind of broken a little bit is around the front of our net,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska after Tuesday’s practice at the Saddledome. “Kuzy is a really big man. He’s not a physical, crushing type defenceman, but he is a big man that when he gets in someone’s way, he’s going to make it difficult for people to get to the net on him. That’s an example of what I like from him.
“Also, the speed factor and the pace he can play the game at, I think, is important. So we’re excited to see him up here again and I believe he’s going to do an excellent job for us.”
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Kuznetsov’s current contract upgrades to a one-way next season, an indication the Flames are counting on him to soon be a regular, and he has been studying video clips of Kevin Bahl as he looks to make the most of his long reach and big frame.
To date, his lone NHL appearance came in January 2024, although he was up for a pair of practices last February.
A second-round draft pick in 2020, Kuznetsov has accumulated 226 career appearances at the AHL level. He posted a plus-21 rating last winter, by far the best among Wranglers, and has recorded two goals in 10 minor-league outings this fall.
“They want me to play fast, play hard,” Kuznetsov said. “When I play that way, I’m most efficient, so I’ve just got to play that way consistently, every day, every shift. That’s kind of their message.”
Kuznetsov was paired for Tuesday’s practice with Brayden Pachal.
There was no clear indication if they’d be in the lineup for Wednesday’s clash against the Columbus Blue Jackets, or if the tandem of Parekh and Jake Bean would be suiting up instead.
Calgary Flames defenceman Yan Kuznetsov hits the ice during warm-up before a game against the Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabnak Saddledome on Jan. 9, 2024.
If Kuznetsov can make a convincing case for an every-night role, he’d be bumping either Bean or Joel Hanley down the depth chart.
Wranglers bench boss Brett Sutter was likely aware that this news was coming when he was asked during a radio interview Monday if he believed that Kuznetsov is ready for big-league duties.
“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.”
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