Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is at a pivotal juncture this season, confronting the reality of his decreased productivity on the ice. Despite landing a lucrative two-year deal worth $11 million following an impressive 74-point haul last season, Kuzmenko's current performance has seen a downturn, with a modest tally of 15 points—comprising four goals and 11 assists—in 21 games.
The Russian athlete's struggles have led to him being benched as a healthy scratch on two occasions. Adding to his challenges, Kuzmenko is currently recuperating from a facial injury sustained during Wednesday's clash with the New York Islanders, courtesy of a deflected shot from teammate JT Miller. While the injury has temporarily sidelined him from the Canucks' roster, he is slated for an imminent return to the ice.
Kuzmenko's Lone Goal Not Enough
In the recent matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to score a solitary goal. The play unfolded as Miller seized a loose puck, drove towards the net, and served up a pass that Kuzmenko converted into a wrist shot beyond the reach of 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, acknowledging his need for improvement. "That's why I haven't played (as much) this season."
The Canucks' top line, which features Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by their second-line counterparts in both scoring prowess and overall performance during the initial quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, operating as the center, has notched 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists. Mikheyev, playing right wing, has contributed 12 points with seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Call for Improvement
Rick Tocchet, the head coach of the Canucks, has expressed a desire for more vigor and output from Kuzmenko, describing his season's efforts as merely "OK" and challenging him to "play a little harder." This sentiment was underscored when Tocchet decided 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 emphasized 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 clearly outlined his expectations: Kuzmenko needs to show more tenacity in puck battles along the boards and exhibit swifter 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."
Despite the loss, Kuzmenko's goal and his performance in the third period of Thursday's game did not go unnoticed, earning him commendation from Tocchet who appreciated 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."
Kuzmenko's Outlook and Dedication
Conscious of the high expectations placed upon him, Kuzmenko remains committed to enhancing his game. He acknowledges the statistical slump, particularly the scant four goals to his name this year, but is determined to maintain his focus on the team's success.
Addressing questions about his mental fortitude during the protracted goal drought throughout 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 recent performance as the Canucks prepare to take on the Calgary Flames on Saturday. His resolve to improve and contribute more significantly to the team's efforts will be crucial as Vancouver seeks to navigate through the season's challenges and climb higher in the standings.