Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is no stranger to the ebbs and flows that define an NHL season. After a remarkable 74-point campaign last year, expectations were sky-high for the Russian athlete who inked a two-year $11 million contract. Yet, this season presents new hurdles, with Kuzmenko's production waning, tallying just 15 points—four goals and 11 assists—in 21 games.
Compounding his on-ice challenges, Kuzmenko was twice designated as a healthy scratch, signaling a need for improvement in the eyes of the coaching staff. To add injury to insult, he sustained a facial injury after being struck by a deflected shot from teammate JT Miller during a recent game against the New York Islanders. While not serious enough to keep him sidelined long-term, the incident has prompted a cautious approach to his return to play.
A Lone Bright Spot
In the midst of a trying season, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net in Thursday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena. The goal came as Miller pounced on a loose puck, driving toward the net before serving up a pass to Kuzmenko, who snapped a wrist shot past goaltender Logan Thompson. Despite the personal success, the Canucks fell 4-1, leaving Kuzmenko reflective rather than celebratory.
"It doesn't matter if I scored… it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," Kuzmenko lamented postgame. "I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season."
The top line, which includes Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has struggled to outshine their second-line counterparts in both scoring and overall play through the NHL’s first quarter. Pettersson, at center, has notched 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, while right winger Mikheyev has contributed 12 points, including seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Tough Love
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet is known for demanding the best from his players, and Kuzmenko is no exception. Describing Kuzmenko's current season performance as merely "OK," Tocchet has made it clear that he expects more from the winger, calling for increased effort and production. This stance led to Kuzmenko watching from the sidelines during 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 stated 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 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."
Despite the team's loss, Thursday's goal and Kuzmenko's dedicated play in the third period earned him some praise from Tocchet, who noted the winger's direct approach. "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."
For his part, Kuzmenko is acutely aware of the high expectations placed upon him and is committed to meeting them. He acknowledges the statistical slump, particularly the extended goal drought throughout November, but remains focused on contributing to the team's success.
"What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," Kuzmenko said with a smile. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko aims to use Thursday's performance as a stepping stone to greater consistency and effectiveness. With the Calgary Flames next on the schedule, he has another opportunity to demonstrate his dedication to the team and to fulfilling the potential that his previous season's performance promised.