Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, has openly acknowledged the hurdles he's facing in the current NHL season. After a previous season that saw him notch an impressive 74 points, leading to a lucrative two-year $11 million contract, Kuzmenko is now confronting a slump in his production levels.
The Russian athlete's statistics have seen a decline, with a tally of only 15 points, including four goals and 11 assists, across 21 games. This drop-off in form has resulted in Kuzmenko being benched as a healthy scratch on two occasions. Compounding his challenges is a recent facial injury sustained during Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders, courtesy of a deflected shot from teammate JT Miller. While the injury has temporarily sidelined him from the lineup, team officials have indicated that Kuzmenko is expected to make a return shortly.
Struggles Despite Scoring
In a recent match-up against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to score a solitary goal. The play unfolded as Miller seized a loose puck and delivered a pass to Kuzmenko, who then 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. He expressed a self-awareness of the need for improvement, linking it to the reduction in his playing time this season.
The Canucks' first line, featuring Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been overshadowed by the second line in terms of scoring and overall performance during the initial quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, the center, has notched up 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists. On the other hand, 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 been candid about his expectations from Kuzmenko, describing his contributions thus far as "OK" but emphasizing the need for him to "play a little harder." Tocchet's dissatisfaction led to Kuzmenko being benched for consecutive 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. He emphasized the importance of the present over past glories, suggesting that Kuzmenko needed a "reset."
Tocchet has been specific about what he requires from Kuzmenko: increased intensity in puck battles along the boards and swifter 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 explained. He stressed the significance of these aspects as core values of the team's ethos.
Kuzmenko's effort in the third period of Thursday's game did not go unnoticed, with Tocchet acknowledging his focused 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."
The winger himself is cognizant of the high standards expected by his coach and is eager to show progress. He acknowledges the statistical concern with his four-goal tally this year and remains committed to contributing positively to the team's efforts.
Brushing aside questions about his mindset during the extended goal drought throughout November, Kuzmenko responded confidently. "What interesting questions about mentality. It’s an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," he said with a smile. "It’s simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it’s simple."
As the Canucks prepare to face the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Kuzmenko is poised to build upon his recent performance and meet the expectations set forth by his coach. His determination to refine his game and contribute more effectively to the team's success will be crucial as the Canucks navigate the remainder of the season.