After a stellar 74-point campaign last season, Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko has encountered a challenging start to the current NHL season. Despite securing a lucrative two-year, $11 million contract, Kuzmenko's output has noticeably dipped, with the Russian athlete amassing just 15 points—comprising four goals and 11 assists—over 21 games. This downturn in form has seen him relegated to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on two occasions.
Kuzmenko's recent struggles were compounded by a facial injury sustained during Wednesday’s game against the New York Islanders. The injury occurred when a shot from teammate JT Miller deflected off an opponent's stick, striking Kuzmenko. While not severe, the injury prompted a precautionary withdrawal from the Canucks' lineup, although expectations are high for his imminent return to the ice.
A Lone Bright Spot
In the latest outing against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net. In a moment of opportunity, Miller pounced on a loose puck, drove towards the goal, and served up a perfect pass to Kuzmenko, who finished the play with a wrist shot that eluded Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson. Unfortunately, Kuzmenko's effort was not enough to steer the team to victory, as they succumbed to a 4-1 defeat.
"It doesn't matter if I scored ... it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," Kuzmenko reflected post-game. "I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season." His self-critique underscores a sentiment of accountability and recognition of the need for improvement.
Comparing Line Performance
The top line, which features Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by their second-line colleagues in terms of both scoring and overall play. Within the team dynamics, Pettersson has shone brightly, accumulating 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists. On the other hand, Mikheyev has contributed 12 points, thanks to seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Stance
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has been forthright about his expectations for Kuzmenko, describing his performance thus far as "OK" but emphasizing the need for more intensity and engagement. Tocchet's decision to bench Kuzmenko for consecutive games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks in late November served as a clear message—a "reset" was necessary.
"He's got to get his game a little bit more sharpened up," Tocchet stated on November 27. The coach has laid out specific areas for Kuzmenko to address: engaging more fiercely in puck battles along the boards and reacting more swiftly on defense 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 loss to the Golden Knights, Tocchet acknowledged Kuzmenko's improved focus, particularly in the third period. "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's Outlook
For his part, Kuzmenko is well aware of the high standards set by his coach and the critical eye with which his performance is being assessed. He acknowledges the gap between his current four-goal tally and the expectations stemming from his previous season's success. Yet, Kuzmenko remains determined to contribute positively to the team's efforts.
When questioned about his mindset during the extended goal drought that plagued most of November, Kuzmenko responded with a smile, "What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me. It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko is eager to build upon his performance against the Golden Knights as the Canucks prepare to face the Calgary Flames on Saturday. With a renewed focus on the 'little things' and a commitment to working harder both on and off the ice, Kuzmenko aims to recapture the form that made him a standout player last season.