Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is no stranger to the ebbs and flows of a grueling NHL season. After securing a two-year, $11 million contract on the heels of an impressive 74-point campaign last year, expectations were high for the Russian athlete. However, this season has proven challenging, with Kuzmenko's output dipping to just 15 points—four goals and 11 assists—in 21 games.
The skilled forward has felt the sting of being a healthy scratch twice already, signaling a need for adjustment in his game. Compounding his struggles is a recent facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller during Wednesday's clash with the New York Islanders. The incident prompted a precautionary sidelining from the Canucks' lineup, though Kuzmenko is slated to return shortly.
A Lone Bright Spot
In Thursday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to net a goal, despite the team falling 4-1. Miller pounced on a loose puck and set up Kuzmenko for a wrist shot that eluded Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson. Post-game, Kuzmenko expressed a team-first mentality, stating, "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."
While Kuzmenko's top line, which includes Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has lagged behind its second-line counterparts in both scoring and overall play, there have been bright spots. Pettersson, the center, has tallied 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists. Mikheyev, playing right wing, has contributed 12 points with seven goals and five assists.
Coach's Perspective
Head coach Rick Tocchet has made it clear that he expects more from Kuzmenko, describing his performance thus far as merely "OK" and emphasizing the need for him to "play a little harder." This sentiment led to Kuzmenko's benching for consecutive 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 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."
Tocchet has specified what he wants to see from Kuzmenko: more tenacity in puck battles along the boards and 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 explained. "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, Thursday's goal was a step in the right direction, with Tocchet acknowledging Kuzmenko's focused play, particularly in the third period. "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 himself is cognizant of his coach's elevated expectations and is committed to improving. He acknowledges the statistical concern over his mere four-goal tally this year and pledges to maintain his focus on aiding the team's efforts.
When questioned about his mindset during the prolonged goal drought spanning nearly the entire month of November, Kuzmenko responded with characteristic positivity. "What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," Kuzmenko said, smiling. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko aims to capitalize on his recent performance when the Canucks take on the Calgary Flames on Saturday. With the season still unfolding, there's ample time for the talented winger to recalibrate and rediscover the form that earned him his lucrative contract. As the Canucks vie for playoff contention, Kuzmenko's resurgence could be a pivotal factor in their success.