Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, has been candid about the hurdles he's facing in the current NHL season. Despite coming off a robust 74-point campaign last season, which earned him a lucrative two-year $11 million contract, Kuzmenko's production has seen a notable decline. With just 15 points, comprising four goals and 11 assists in 21 games, he has experienced being benched as a healthy scratch on two occasions.
Adding to his woes, Kuzmenko is also recovering from a facial injury sustained when a shot from teammate JT Miller ricocheted off during Wednesday’s clash with the New York Islanders. This incident has temporarily sidelined him from the Canucks' roster as a precautionary measure, though he is anticipated to make a return shortly.
A Lone Bright Spot
In Thursday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to score a singular goal in an otherwise disappointing game for the Canucks, who fell 4-1. The play unfolded as Miller pounced on a loose puck, driving towards the net before serving up a pass to Kuzmenko, who then fired a wrist shot beyond the reach of Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson.
"It doesn't matter if I scored … it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," Kuzmenko reflected post-game. "I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season."
Comparing Lines
The scrutiny isn't without merit, as the Canucks' top line, featuring Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by their second-line counterparts both in scoring and general performance throughout the first quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, at center, has tallied 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, while right winger Mikheyev has contributed 12 points, notching seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Stance
Rick Tocchet, the head coach for the Canucks, has made his expectations for Kuzmenko abundantly clear: increased effort and improved output. Tocchet described Kuzmenko's season performance to date as simply "OK" and has called for the winger to "play a little harder." This sentiment was underscored by Tocchet's decision to bench Kuzmenko 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 emphasized 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 specified areas where Kuzmenko needs to elevate his game, including intensifying his engagement in puck battles along the boards and quickening his 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 by Tocchet, who commended the Russian winger for his focused play. "If you watch his shifts in the third, he was going A to B," Tocchet observed. "He wasn’t zigzagging, backward skating defending; he was going forward."
Kuzmenko's Outlook
Kuzmenko himself acknowledges the high bar set by his coach and expresses a desire to rise to the occasion. He is acutely aware of the statistical slump, particularly his tally of only four goals so far this season, and remains committed to contributing more significantly to the team's efforts.
Even amid questions regarding his mental fortitude during the extended dry spell throughout November, Kuzmenko appeared unfazed. "What interesting questions about mentality. It’s an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," he said with a smile. "It’s simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it’s simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko is determined to build upon his recent goal-scoring feat as the Canucks prepare to face off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. His resolve to improve is palpable, and it's clear he understands the significance of refining the finer points of his game to meet the expectations laid out by his coach—and to ultimately help