As the Vancouver Canucks navigate through the ebbs and flows of the current NHL season, winger Andrei Kuzmenko is acutely aware of the challenges ahead. Following a lucrative two-year $11 million contract, which came on the heels of an impressive 74-point campaign last season, expectations were sky-high for Kuzmenko. However, this season has seen a dip in his productivity, with a tally of just 15 points—four goals and 11 assists—in 21 games.
The Russian athlete's struggle to replicate his previous form has led to him being sidelined twice as a healthy scratch. Adding to his woes is a facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller in a recent game against the New York Islanders. Although not serious, the injury has prompted a cautious approach from the team, temporarily keeping Kuzmenko out of the lineup.
A Glimmer of Hope
In spite of the setbacks, there was a moment of promise during Thursday’s clash with the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena. Kuzmenko managed to net a goal after Miller seized a loose puck, drove to the net, and set up Kuzmenko for a wrist shot that found its way past Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson. Despite his contribution, the Canucks succumbed to a 4-1 defeat.
Kuzmenko, however, remains self-critical and team-focused. "It doesn't matter if I scored … it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," he remarked post-game. "I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season."
The top line, which features Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by their second-line counterparts both in scoring and overall impact. While Pettersson has amassed 30 points, with nine goals and 21 assists, Mikheyev has contributed 12 points, consisting of seven goals and five assists.
Coach's Perspective
Head coach Rick Tocchet is calling for more from Kuzmenko, describing his season's performance as "OK" but emphasizing the need for him to "play a little harder." Tocchet's response to Kuzmenko's underwhelming play included benching him for back-to-back games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks in late November.
"He's got to get his game a little bit more sharpened up," Tocchet expressed 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."
Tocchet has clearly communicated his expectations: Kuzmenko must exhibit greater tenacity in puck battles along the boards and demonstrate swifter defensive transitions in the neutral zone. "Those are the little things that I value around here. It's not about just scoring goals. Goal scorers are going to go through slumps," Tocchet stated. "The little things matter. That's part of our staples and he has to understand that's the Bible for us around here."
Despite the loss to the Golden Knights, Kuzmenko's third-period performance did not go unnoticed, earning him some praise from Tocchet. "If you watch his shifts in the third, he was going A to B," said Tocchet. "He wasn't zigzagging, backward skating defending; he was going forward."
For his part, Kuzmenko shows a keen awareness of the high expectations placed upon him and is determined to meet them. He acknowledges the statistical slump, particularly his four-goal record this year, and remains resolute in focusing on the collective success of the team.
Addressing questions about his mindset during a nearly month-long goal drought in November, 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."
With eyes set on improvement, Kuzmenko is eager to build on his latest performance in the upcoming game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. The Canucks, and their fans, will be hoping that this marks the turning point in what has been a challenging season thus far for the talented winger.