Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, is at a pivotal moment in his NHL career. After a breakout 74-point season that earned him a lucrative two-year, $11 million contract, expectations were high for the Russian athlete. However, this season has presented its share of challenges, with Kuzmenko's production slipping to just 15 points—four goals and 11 assists—in the first 21 games.
The dip in form has seen Kuzmenko scratched from the lineup twice as a healthy scratch, signaling a need for improvement. Compounding his on-ice struggles, Kuzmenko is also recovering from a facial injury sustained when a deflected shot from teammate JT Miller struck him during a game against the New York Islanders. While the injury sidelined him temporarily, he is expected to make a swift return to the ice.
A Lone Bright Spot
In the recent matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net, scoring a goal off an assist from Miller. Despite his contribution, the Canucks fell to a 4-1 defeat. Kuzmenko's personal performance offered little solace in the face of the team's loss. "It doesn't matter if I scored … it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," Kuzmenko reflected postgame. "I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season."
The top line, which features Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by the team's second line in terms of scoring and overall play. Pettersson, the center, has tallied 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, while right winger Mikheyev has contributed 12 points through seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Expectations
Rick Tocchet, the head coach of the Canucks, has made it clear that he expects more from Kuzmenko. Describing the winger's season performance as "OK," Tocchet has called for increased effort and production. The coach's decision to bench Kuzmenko for consecutive games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks in late November was a clear message.
"He's got to get his game a little bit more sharpened up," Tocchet emphasized 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 laid out specific areas for improvement: intensified engagement 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," said Tocchet. "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 tough love approach, Tocchet acknowledged Kuzmenko's focused play during the third period against the Golden Knights. "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 is cognizant of his coach's high expectations and expresses a desire to elevate his game. He admits to being aware of the statistical concern regarding his four-goal tally this year and commits to maintaining focus on contributing to the team's success.
When asked about the mental toll of enduring a goal drought throughout most of November, Kuzmenko responded with a smile, dismissing concerns over his mentality. "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."
As the Canucks prepare to take on the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Kuzmenko aims to build upon his recent performance and meet the heightened expectations set forth by his coach and the organization. Only time will tell if this marks a turning point for the skilled winger as he seeks to recapture the form that once made him one of the most promising talents in the league.