Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, is confronting a challenging season after his previous year's high-flying 74-point campaign. Despite securing a lucrative two-year contract worth $11 million, Kuzmenko's on-ice production has notably declined, with the Russian athlete only tallying 15 points, consisting of four goals and 11 assists, over the course of 21 games. This downturn in performance has resulted in him being benched as a healthy scratch on two occasions.
Compounding his struggles, Kuzmenko recently sustained a facial injury from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller during a game against the New York Islanders. While the injury has sidelined him temporarily, it is expected that he will make a prompt return to the lineup.
In a recent matchup at Rogers Arena against the Vegas Golden Knights, Kuzmenko managed to score a solitary goal. The play unfolded as Miller seized a loose puck and set up Kuzmenko, who fired a wrist shot past the Golden Knights' goaltender Logan Thompson. Nevertheless, the effort was not enough to steer the team to victory, with the Canucks falling 4-1.
Kuzmenko expressed a team-first mentality post-game, 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." His self-awareness highlights his commitment to contributing more significantly to the team's success.
A Comparison of Line Performances
The Canucks' top line, which features Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by the second line in terms of scoring and overall impact during the first quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, at center, has accumulated an impressive 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists. On the other hand, Mikheyev, playing right wing, has contributed 12 points through seven goals and five assists.
Head Coach Rick Tocchet's Perspective
Rick Tocchet, the head coach of the Canucks, has conveyed a clear message to Kuzmenko: an uptick in effort and output is necessary. Describing Kuzmenko's current season as "OK," Tocchet benched the winger for consecutive games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks in late November, indicating the need for a reset.
"He's got to get his game a little bit more sharpened up," Tocchet remarked on November 27. He has laid out specific areas for improvement for Kuzmenko, emphasizing the importance of heightened intensity in puck battles along the boards and quicker 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."
Tocchet acknowledged Kuzmenko's focused play, particularly in the third period of Thursday's game, noting his direct approach. "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."
Kuzmenko himself is cognizant of the high expectations placed upon him and is eager to rise to the challenge. He is acutely aware of the statistical slump he is experiencing, particularly the goal drought throughout November, but remains undeterred.
"What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," Kuzmenko commented with a smile. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko is determined to use his recent performance as a stepping stone for continued improvement. As the Canucks prepare to face the Calgary Flames on Saturday, all eyes will be on Kuzmenko to see if he can maintain the momentum and meet the high standards set by both himself and his coach.