Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, is not a stranger to the ebbs and flows of a grueling NHL season. After clinching a two-year deal worth $11 million on the back of an impressive 74-point haul last season, expectations were high for the Russian athlete. However, this season has seen a dip in his productivity, with Kuzmenko amassing just 15 points—four goals and 11 assists—in 21 games, leading to him being benched as a healthy scratch twice.
The recent downturn in form was compounded by a facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller during Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders. This incident has temporarily sidelined Kuzmenko, though he is slated for a swift return to the lineup.
A Lone Bright Spot
In the face of these setbacks, Kuzmenko managed to find the net in Thursday’s encounter with the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena. Despite the team's 4-1 defeat, Kuzmenko's goal was a highlight; it came off a pass from Miller who had pounced on a loose puck, setting up Kuzmenko for a precise wrist shot that eluded Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson. Yet, in a post-game reflection, Kuzmenko dismissed the personal achievement, focusing instead on the team's needs. "It doesn’t matter if I scored… it doesn’t matter if my score doesn’t help the team," he remarked. "I need to be better, this I understand. That’s why I haven’t played (as much) this season."
The Canucks' top line, which features Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has found itself overshadowed by the second-line counterparts both in scoring prowess and general gameplay during the first quarter of the NHL season. While Pettersson has notched up 30 points, including nine goals and 21 assists, Mikheyev has contributed seven goals and five assists, totaling 12 points.
Coach Tocchet's Call to Action
Rick Tocchet, the head coach of the Canucks, has been forthright about his expectations for Kuzmenko, characterizing his season's performance thus far as "OK" but emphasizing the need for greater effort and impact on the ice. Tocchet's decision to bench Kuzmenko for consecutive games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks in late November was a clear message that more was required from the winger.
"He’s got to get his game a little bit more sharpened up," Tocchet commented on November 27. He expects Kuzmenko to exhibit more vigor in puck battles along the boards and to improve his defensive transitions in the neutral zone. The coach values the "little things," stating, "It’s not about just scoring goals. Goal scorers are going to go through slumps. 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 recent challenges, Tocchet acknowledged Kuzmenko's focused play 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. He wasn’t zigzagging, backward skating defending; he was going forward."
Kuzmenko's Resolve
Kuzmenko himself is cognizant of the high expectations placed upon him and is keen to elevate his game. He admits to being aware of the statistical slump, especially his four-goal tally this year, and is committed to maintaining focus on aiding the team's efforts. When questioned about the mental toll of his near month-long goal drought in November, Kuzmenko responded with a smile, downplaying the psychological impact. "What interesting questions about mentality. It’s an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," he said. "It’s simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it’s simple."
With a determined outlook, Kuzmenko is set to use his latest performance as a stepping stone for the upcoming game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. In a league where the margins between victory and defeat are razor-thin, the winger's ability to bounce back from adversity and fulfill his coach's expectations will be crucial for the Canucks as they navigate the remainder of the season.