Canucks' Kuzmenko Confronts Slump Amid High Expectations
Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, is candid about the hurdles he's encountering this season. Following a standout 74-point campaign last year, which earned him a lucrative two-year, $11 million contract, Kuzmenko has seen a dip in his production recently.
The Russian athlete's current tally stands at 15 points, with four goals and 11 assists across 21 games. This downturn in performance has led to Kuzmenko being benched as a healthy scratch on two occasions. Adding to his challenges, he is currently dealing with a facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller during a recent game against the New York Islanders. The incident has temporarily sidelined Kuzmenko, but he is expected to make a return shortly.
In a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to score a solitary goal. The play unfolded as Miller took advantage of a loose puck, driving towards the net and delivering a pass to Kuzmenko, who fired a wrist shot past Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson. Despite this effort, the Canucks 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."
A Comparison of Lines
The Canucks' top line, featuring Kuzmenko, Ilia Mikheyev, and Elias Pettersson, has not matched the output of their second-line colleagues in terms of scoring and overall play during the first quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, playing center, has accumulated an impressive 30 points, contributing nine goals and 21 assists. Meanwhile, Mikheyev, positioned on the right wing, has recorded 12 points from seven goals and five assists.
Head Coach Weighs In
Rick Tocchet, the head coach for the Canucks, has expressed a desire for increased vigor and productivity from Kuzmenko, describing his season's performance as "OK" and suggesting that the player needs to "play a little harder." Tocchet made the decision to bench Kuzmenko for back-to-back games against the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks towards the end of November.
"He's got to get his game a little bit more sharpened up," Tocchet insisted 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 been clear about his expectations for Kuzmenko, emphasizing the need for increased intensity in puck battles along the boards and a faster response in defensive transitions within the neutral zone.
"Those are the little things that I value around here. It's not just about 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, Kuzmenko's goal and improved performance in the third period of Thursday's game did not go unnoticed. Tocchet commended the winger for his focused play, particularly highlighting how he was moving directly from point A to B without unnecessary detours or backward skating while defending.
Kuzmenko himself is well aware of the high standards set by his coach and is eager to meet them. He acknowledges the statistical slump, especially with only four goals to his name this year, but remains committed to concentrating on aiding the team's efforts.
The winger also downplayed concerns about his mindset amid the prolonged goal drought that spanned almost the entire month of November.
"What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," Kuzmenko said, managing a smile. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
As Kuzmenko looks ahead, he is determined to build upon Thursday's performance when the Canucks face off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. His resilience and acknowledgment of the need for improvement suggest a willingness to adapt and strive for the level of play that earned him his current contract. The Canucks and their fans will be hoping that Kuzmenko's dedication translates into a return to form that can help steer the team to success in the competitive landscape of the NHL.