Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is facing a pivotal moment in his NHL career. After a remarkable 74-point haul last season, the Russian athlete's production has seen a notable decline. With a two-year, $11 million contract under his belt, expectations were high for Kuzmenko to deliver similarly impressive results. However, 21 games into the current season, his tally stands at a modest 15 points, comprising four goals and 11 assists.
The dip in form has not gone unnoticed, leading to Kuzmenko being sidelined twice as a healthy scratch. Adding to his woes, a recent facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller during Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders has temporarily taken him out of play. Although it's a precautionary measure, the team eagerly anticipates his return to the lineup.
Despite the setback, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net in Thursday's encounter with the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena. On that occasion, Miller pounced on a loose puck, drove to the net, and served up a pass to Kuzmenko, who fired a wrist shot past goaltender Logan Thompson. Nevertheless, their efforts were insufficient, as 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. His self-awareness is palpable as he acknowledges the need for personal improvement, linking his reduced ice time to his current performance level.
A Line in Need of Spark
The Canucks' top line, featuring Kuzmenko, Ilia Mikheyev, and Elias Pettersson, has struggled to match the impact of their second-line counterparts. While Pettersson has amassed an impressive 30 points, leading with nine goals and 21 assists, Mikheyev has contributed 12 points, including seven goals and five assists. The disparity in output has only highlighted the first line's challenges in finding their former rhythm and productivity.
Coach Tocchet's Expectations
Rick Tocchet, the head coach of the Canucks, has been vocal about his expectations for Kuzmenko. Describing the winger's season as "OK," Tocchet has called for increased effort and a sharper edge to his game. This desire 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 emphasized on November 27. He has laid out clear expectations for Kuzmenko: intensify his engagement 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 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."
Kuzmenko's lone goal and overall performance against the Golden Knights, particularly in the third period, earned him praise from Tocchet, who noted the winger's direct approach in play. "If you watch his shifts in the third, he was going A to B," said Tocchet. "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 determined to meet them. He is keenly aware of the scrutiny over his four-goal tally this year and remains committed to focusing on the team's success over individual accolades.
When questioned about the mental toll of an extended goal drought throughout November, Kuzmenko responded with a smile, downplaying the psychological impact. "What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," he mused. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
As the Canucks gear up to face the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Kuzmenko looks to build on his recent performance and continue working towards the high bar set by both himself and his coach. The journey ahead may be challenging, but Kuzmenko's resolve suggests he's ready to rise to the occasion and rediscover the form that made him a standout player last season.