Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is no stranger to the ebbs and flows that characterize an athlete's career. After a previous season that saw him amass an impressive 74 points, the Russian player's current performance has been less prolific. With a two-year contract worth $11 million under his belt, expectations were high for Kuzmenko. However, with only 15 points—comprising four goals and 11 assists—in the first 21 games, his contribution has not matched last season's heights.
Kuzmenko's struggle to replicate his previous form has seen him relegated to the role of a healthy scratch twice. Adding to his challenges is a facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller in a game against the New York Islanders. This incident has temporarily sidelined him, though he is anticipated to rejoin the lineup shortly.
Signs of Resilience
In a recent matchup at Rogers Arena against the Vegas Golden Knights, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net, scoring the Canucks' sole goal in a 4-1 defeat. The play unfolded as Miller pounced on a loose puck and delivered a precise pass to Kuzmenko, who then fired a wrist shot past Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson. Despite this moment of individual brilliance, Kuzmenko remained team-focused in his post-game reflections.
"It doesn't matter if I scored ... it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," Kuzmenko remarked, acknowledging the need for personal improvement. "I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season."
The Canucks' top line, featuring Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has lagged behind their second-line counterparts in both scoring and overall play during the NHL's first quarter. Pettersson, the center, has tallied 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, while right-winger Mikheyev has contributed 12 points with seven goals and five assists.
Coach's Perspective
Rick Tocchet, head coach of the Canucks, has made it clear that he expects more from Kuzmenko. Describing the winger's season performance as merely "OK," Tocchet has called for increased effort and has even benched Kuzmenko 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 expressed 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's expectations for Kuzmenko are specific: he wants to see more intensity in puck battles along the boards and quicker defensive reactions 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 said. "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, Kuzmenko's goal and his third-period performance did not go unnoticed by Tocchet, who commended the winger's direct style of play. "If you watch his shifts in the third, he was going A to B," Tocchet noted. "He wasn't zigzagging, backward skating defending; he was going forward."
Acknowledging the high standards set by his coach, Kuzmenko is determined to enhance his play. He is cognizant of the statistical downturn, particularly noting his four-goal tally thus far, and remains committed to contributing to the team's success.
When questioned about his mindset during the prolonged scoring drought that spanned most of November, Kuzmenko responded confidently. "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 eager to build upon his latest performance when the Canucks face off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. His resolve to improve and adapt to the demands of his coach suggests a player ready to turn the tide on his season. For the Vancouver Canucks and their fans, Kuzmenko's response to this challenge will be a key storyline to follow as the season progresses.