Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks' winger, is candid about the hurdles he's encountered this season. Despite securing a lucrative two-year contract worth $11 million on the back of an impressive 74-point haul last season, Kuzmenko's production has seen a downturn in recent games.
With a tally of just 15 points, comprising four goals and 11 assists across 21 games, Kuzmenko has been relegated to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on two occasions. Adding to his woes is a facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller in Wednesday’s clash with the New York Islanders. The mishap has temporarily sidelined him from the lineup, though his return is imminent.
In the Thursday night game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to score a solitary goal. Miller pounced on a loose puck, drove towards the net, and supplied Kuzmenko with a pass that was converted into a wrist shot that flew past Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson. Nevertheless, the effort was not enough to avoid a 4-1 defeat.
"It doesn't matter if I scored... it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team," expressed Kuzmenko post-scoring. "I need to be better, this I understand. That’s why I haven’t played (as much) this season."
The Canucks' top line, featuring Kuzmenko, Ilia Mikheyev, and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by their second-line counterparts both in terms of scoring and general play throughout the first quarter of the NHL season. While Pettersson has racked up 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, right winger Mikheyev has contributed with 12 points, netting seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Expectations
Rick Tocchet, the head coach for the Canucks, expects more from Kuzmenko, describing his season's performance as just "OK" and challenging him to "play a little harder." Tocchet made the decision to bench the winger 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 remarked 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 what he expects from Kuzmenko: increased tenacity in puck battles along the boards and quicker defensive transitions in the neutral zone.
"Those are the little things that I value around here. It's not just about scoring goals. Goal scorers will experience slumps," Tocchet noted. "The little things matter. They're part of our staples, and he needs to realize that's the Bible for us around here."
Kuzmenko's third-period performance in Thursday's game, despite the loss, did not go unnoticed. Tocchet praised the Russian winger for his focused play during the final period.
"If you watch his shifts in the third, he was going from A to B," Tocchet observed. "He wasn't zigzagging or backward skating when defending; he was moving forward."
Kuzmenko himself acknowledges the high expectations placed upon him by his coach and is determined to improve. He is mindful of the statistical slump, especially with his four-goal tally this year, and remains committed to contributing to the team's success.
The winger also brushed aside questions about his mindset during the prolonged goal drought that spanned nearly the entire month of November.
"What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," Kuzmenko said with a smile. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
With a focus on hard work and dedication, Kuzmenko is looking to leverage his latest performance as a stepping stone for the upcoming game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday.
As the season progresses, the Canucks will be hoping that Kuzmenko can recapture the form that earned him his current contract, helping the team climb the standings and make a significant impact in the league. With Tocchet's guidance and Kuzmenko's resolve, there's potential for a turnaround that could see the Russian winger once again become a pivotal player for the franchise.