With patience and poise, Flames' Yan Kuznetsov sets example for development

NASHVILLE — Yan Kuznetsov is the poster boy for the organizational patience being preached by the Calgary Flames.

After waiting 666 days between NHL starts, the 23-year-old defenceman was summoned from the Wranglers almost a month ago, and has stepped seamlessly into the roster spot with the Flames in which he’ll remain for years to come.

Another building block in place.

Five-and-a-half years after being a second-round draft pick, Kuznetsov is ready, as evidenced by the 22 minutes he’s playing every night alongside MacKenzie Weegar on the Flames' second pairing. 

“It was definitely hard at times, because you're waiting for your opportunity,” said the well-spoken Russian, who spent parts of six seasons in the AHL.

“I was just focusing on the process. I kind of worked on my craft and I knew at some point (the call would come).

“Even when last year (didn’t include a call-up), I stuck with it. I'm really proud of it at this point.”

As he should be.

Kuznetsov insisted he never got frustrated at seeing others called up ahead of him, as they were friends and teammates he wanted to support. 

He never lost faith. 

Unlike many forwards, whose offensive production can prompt a promotion, Kuznetsov is a big, stay-at-home type whose value can’t be measured by points.

Instead, it’s measured by impact, which is something the six-foot-four, 209-pound lefty has provided in spades.

“I remember checking in with Weegs early on, like, ‘How's it going? How's the pair?’” said Flames coach Ryan Huska.

“He's like, ‘I actually love it. He's one guy that I feel talks more than I do on the ice, he’s been very vocal.' It's awesome. Even when Mackenzie makes a poor play, it's Kuzy that's kind of, ‘Hey, we're good.’ So he's grown a lot.”

Kuznetsov has helped stabilize Weegar’s game, giving the veteran a consistent partner with whom he can continue building chemistry.

For an organization in the midst of a rebuild that could take some time, Kuznetsov’s success story stems from the type of extended development that protects players from being rushed to the bigs before they’re ready.

“Totally — I think he's a great example,” said Huska.

“Everybody wants the player to be effective and an impact guy right now. But in reality, it's not the way it is. They need to learn how to play against men. His first couple years in the minors, he was in and out. He was trying to play a different role than we expected him to be able to play. And then, over the last year-and-a-bit, he started to really figure out, ‘OK, if I play this way I'm gonna play in the NHL.’ So now he has a pretty good handle on what we look for. I think the time in the American league is very valuable for a young player.”

The list of those he continues to learn from includes his father, who watches every game from Russia, chiming in with advice via text.

“Yeah, before the Florida game he texted me, ‘Oh, you got to work on your shot,’” Kuznetsov laughed.

“He said, ‘You gotta get it through.’”

One night later, against the Panthers, he scored his first NHL goal with a blistering shot past a defender that kickstarted a comeback win.

“He’s been coming and coming, and it took probably longer than he wanted, but now you see where he's at and we’re really happy with his game,” said general manager Craig Conroy.

“He's big, he skates long, he's got a heck of a shot, he’s really good at the penalty kill, and when he hits, it’s hard. It’s just nice to see his confidence come. He’s come up and been very impressive, so I’m excited for him and for us. 

“I think we always thought he was ready, but it was all about getting him in and how much he was going to get to play here. So for him to come up and play the same minutes that he would play in the American league, that's perfect. And he's proven that he can do it.

"It's been fun to watch."