After a season that saw him amass an impressive 74 points, Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is experiencing the ebbs and flows of professional hockey. Despite securing a lucrative two-year deal worth $11 million on the back of his previous performance, Kuzmenko's current output has waned, leaving him with just 15 points—four goals and 11 assists—in 21 games.
Challenges On and Off the Ice
The Russian athlete has not only faced challenges in scoring but also in maintaining his place in the lineup. Kuzmenko has been a healthy scratch twice this season, signaling a need for improvement in the eyes of the coaching staff. Adding to his difficulties, Kuzmenko sustained a facial injury after a deflected shot from teammate JT Miller during Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders. This incident has temporarily sidelined him, though he is expected to make a swift return to the ice.
A Glimmer of Hope in Recent Play
In a recent clash at Rogers Arena against the Vegas Golden Knights, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net, albeit in a losing effort as the Canucks fell 4-1. The goal came from a concerted play where Miller pounced on a loose puck, drove towards the net, and delivered a pass to Kuzmenko, who executed a wrist shot past goaltender Logan Thompson.
Despite this moment of individual brilliance, Kuzmenko remained focused on the bigger picture. "It doesn't matter if I scored … it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," he expressed post-game. "I need to be better, this I understand. That’s why I haven’t played (as much) this season."
Comparing Line Performances
The top line, which includes Kuzmenko, Ilia Mikheyev, and Elias Pettersson, has seen less success than their second-line counterparts. While Pettersson has racked up 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, Mikheyev has contributed with seven goals and five assists, totaling 12 points.
Coach Tocchet's Expectations
Rick Tocchet, head coach of the Canucks, has been candid about his expectations for Kuzmenko, describing his season's performance as "OK" and emphasizing the need for the winger to "play a little harder." Following consecutive benchings for games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks in late November, Tocchet elaborated on areas requiring Kuzmenko's attention, including intensifying his engagement in puck battles along the boards and sharpening his 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 stated. "The little things matter. That's part of our staples and he has to understand that's the Bible for us around here."
Kuzmenko's efforts in Thursday's game, particularly in the third period, did not go unnoticed by Tocchet, who praised the winger for his direct and purposeful play. "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 Self-Awareness and Outlook
Acknowledging the coach's high standards, Kuzmenko is cognizant of his need for improvement, especially in light of his four-goal tally this year. He remains committed to contributing more significantly to the team's efforts and appears unfazed by the mental pressures associated with his recent goal drought.
"What interesting questions about mentality. It’s an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," Kuzmenko remarked with a smile. "It’s simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it’s simple."
With his sights set on future games and a determination to enhance his performance, Kuzmenko is looking to build on his latest showing as the Canucks prepare to face off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. The winger's dedication to refining his game speaks volumes about his resilience and may well be the catalyst for a return to form as the season progresses.