Calgary Flames

Holiday Wish List: What the Calgary Flames Need Most This Season

If we could give the team anything on their wish list, what do the Calgary Flames need most this holiday season?

by
Old Prof
December 16, 2024

The jolly spirit of the holiday season has brought Hockey Central’s Sam Cosentino and Danielle Michaud together to craft a hockey-themed wish list for teams around the league. Each team is looking for the perfect “gift” to bolster their chances for success this season, and with Cosentino leading the way, here’s what the Calgary Flames might wish for this year.

Calgary Flames: A Holiday Wish for Andrei Kuzmenko: Rekindling His Scoring Touch

As the holiday season unfolds, the Flames find themselves in dire need of offensive firepower. One player who could change their fortunes is Andrei Kuzmenko. His rookie-year magic with the Vancouver Canucks saw him score an impressive 39 goals. But since joining the Flames, Kuzmenko has struggled to replicate that success.

This season has been rocky. After being scratched in two consecutive games, Kuzmenko finally returned to the lineup, notching an assist in a 6-2 loss to the Stars. It was his first point since mid-November, highlighting a slump that’s left him with just 10 points and a minus-5 rating through 26 games. His spot in the lineup remains precarious, with competition from younger forwards like Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr.

What If Kuzmenko Experienced a Holiday Revival?

But what if Kuzmenko experienced a holiday-inspired revival? Picture this: Christmas morning arrives, and Kuzmenko is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past. Kuzmenko is reminded of his electrifying Canucks debut. Rekindling that scoring touch could transform both his season and the Flames’ playoff prospects.

The winger’s inconsistency has been a major challenge. He’s gone 18 games without a goal and has been held without a shot in six outings. Yet, the potential remains. A renewed sense of confidence, driven by the belief in his abilities, could reignite his game just when the Flames need it most.

This holiday season, Flames fans might wish for Kuzmenko to wake up with that old spark in his stride. If he can rediscover his scoring prowess, Calgary could see its playoff hopes burn brighter than ever.