Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is confronting the reality of his current NHL season with a level of introspection that befits an athlete in search of form. After securing a lucrative two-year deal worth $11 million on the back of an impressive 74-point haul last season, Kuzmenko has found himself navigating through a less prolific period, tallying just 15 points—comprising four goals and 11 assists—in 21 games.
This downturn in output has seen him relegated to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on two occasions. Adding to his challenges, Kuzmenko recently sustained a facial injury from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller during Wednesday's clash with the New York Islanders. The incident has temporarily sidelined him, though he is expected to make a swift return to the lineup.
A Lone Bright Spot in Defeat
Despite the setback, Kuzmenko managed to find the net in Thursday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena. In a moment that briefly illuminated an otherwise dim evening for the Canucks, Miller pounced on a loose puck and served up a pass to Kuzmenko, who beat Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson with a crisp wrist shot. Nevertheless, the effort was not enough to steer the team to victory, with the final scoreboard reading 4-1 in favor of the Golden Knights.
"It doesn't matter if I scored ... it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," Kuzmenko remarked postgame, reflecting on his contribution. "I need to be better, this I understand. That’s why I haven’t played (as much) this season."
The line featuring Kuzmenko, Ilia Mikheyev, and Elias Pettersson has been eclipsed by their second-line colleagues in terms of scoring and overall play during the first quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, at center, has amassed 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, while right winger Mikheyev has contributed 12 points with 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 Russian's season performance as merely "OK," Tocchet has called for increased effort and production. This demand for improvement led to Kuzmenko being benched 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 stated 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 explicit in detailing his expectations: Kuzmenko must show greater tenacity in puck battles along the boards and exhibit quicker 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," 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."
Kuzmenko's third-period performance against the Golden Knights, despite the loss, did receive praise from Tocchet, who noted the winger's focused 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."
For his part, Kuzmenko is cognizant of the high standards set by his coach and is committed to meeting them. He acknowledges the statistical slump, particularly the extended goal drought throughout November, but remains resolute in his focus on contributing to the team's success.
Addressing questions regarding his mental state amid the challenging phase, 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."
With an eye toward the future, Kuzmenko looks to build upon his recent performance when the Canucks face off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. As the season progresses, both the player and the team will be hoping that this moment marks a turning point towards recapturing the form that once had Kuzmenko hailed as one of the league's emerging talents.