VOORHEES, N.J. — Andrei Kuzmenko's time in Philadelphia was quick.
After being acquired by the Flyers in a trade at the end of January, Kuzmenko was dealt to the Kings ahead of Friday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, along with a 2025 seventh-round pick.
The Flyers acquired a 2027 third-rounder and retained half of Kuzmenko's remaining salary. Kuzmenko had a $5.5 million cap hit on an expiring contract.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Keeping $2.75 million of Kuzmenko's deal was not a hindrance for the Flyers because it will come off the books this summer.
The 29-year-old was not at practice Friday, nor was Scott Laughton, who was traded to the Maple Leafs.
"Kuzmenko kind of came out of the blue today," general manager Danny Briere said. "That just made sense. It wasn't like we were shopping him. But he was an unrestricted free agent, there was a need and a fit there with L.A., and it kind of worked for us, as well."
Philadelphia Flyers
Find the latest Philadelphia Flyers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Philadelphia.
In his seven games with the Flyers, Kuzmenko definitely showed his offensive talent, putting up two goals and three assists. The Russian winger came to the Flyers in the trade that sent Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost to the Flames.
That deal was about cap flexibility for the Flyers, so there was a strong chance they'd either flip Kuzmenko at the deadline or let him walk in free agency this summer.
"Good kid, full of energy, very skilled," John Tortorella said Friday. ... "It's a guy that obviously the book on him is inconsistency. Really good and then some struggles. I do believe that happened. I wish him nothing but the best. It has been a good experience for me with him and I hope for him with us, trying to find and help his game."
Kuzmenko had 39 goals and 74 points as a rookie in 2022-23 with the Canucks. The Kings will be his fourth team in two seasons.