Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, is no stranger to the ebbs and flows of a professional hockey career. Following a remarkable 74-point haul last season, Kuzmenko secured a lucrative two-year contract worth $11 million. However, this season has presented its set of hurdles, with the Russian athlete experiencing a dip in his performance levels.
Twenty-one games into the season, Kuzmenko's output stands at 15 points, comprising four goals and 11 assists. This downturn in form has seen him omitted from the lineup twice as a healthy scratch. Adding to his challenges, Kuzmenko sustained a facial injury after being struck by a deflected shot from teammate JT Miller during a recent clash with the New York Islanders. While the injury is not serious enough to keep him out long-term, it has prompted a cautious approach from the team's medical staff, sidelining him temporarily.
A Lone Bright Spot in Defeat
In the face of adversity, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net in Thursday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena. The goal, which was the result of Miller capitalizing on a loose puck and serving up a pass for Kuzmenko to convert with a wrist shot past Vegas goalie Logan Thompson, was a small consolation in a 4-1 loss. Post-game, Kuzmenko expressed a team-first mentality, saying, "It doesn’t matter if I scored ... it doesn’t matter if my score doesn’t help the team. I need to be better, this I understand. That’s why I haven’t played (as much) this season."
The first line, featuring Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has found itself overshadowed by their second-line counterparts in terms of scoring and overall play through the initial quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, operating at center, has tallied 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists), while right winger Mikheyev has contributed 12 points with seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Expectations
Rick Tocchet, head coach of the Canucks, has been candid about his expectations for Kuzmenko. Describing the winger's season performance as "OK," Tocchet has called for an uptick in effort and productivity. This sentiment led to Kuzmenko being benched for games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks towards the end of November.
"He’s got to get his game a little bit more sharpened up," Tocchet remarked on November 27. "It’s not about last year, it’s about this year for us. And he’s a guy that needed a reset." The coach has laid out clear objectives for Kuzmenko, emphasizing the need for more intensity in puck battles along the boards and quicker transitions in defensive play within the neutral zone.
"Those are the little things that I value around here. It’s not just about scoring goals. Goal scorers are going to go through slumps," Tocchet added. "The little things matter. That’s part of our staples and he has to understand that’s the Bible for us around here."
Kuzmenko's third-period performance in the game against the Golden Knights drew praise from Tocchet, who noted the player's direct and purposeful approach. "If you watch his shifts in the third, he was going A to B," the coach observed. "He wasn’t zigzagging, backward skating defending; he was going forward."
For his part, Kuzmenko acknowledges the high expectations placed upon him and is intent on improving. He is acutely aware of the scrutiny surrounding his four-goal tally this season and remains committed to contributing positively to the team's efforts. Addressing questions about his mental state during a nearly month-long goal drought, Kuzmenko responded with a smile, "What interesting questions about mentality. It’s an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me. It’s simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it’s simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko aims to use his performance against the Golden Knights as a stepping stone for the upcoming game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. His determination to meet the challenges head-on reflects the resilience required to navigate the pressures of professional sports. As the season progresses, both Kuzmenko and the Canucks hope that his renewed focus will translate into consistent performances that mirror his previous season's success.