Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is acutely aware of the hurdles ahead in this NHL season. Despite securing a lucrative two-year, $11 million contract on the back of an impressive 74-point haul last season, Kuzmenko has seen a dip in his production levels recently.
With a tally of just 15 points, including four goals and 11 assists over 21 games, Kuzmenko has found himself benched as a healthy scratch twice. Compounding his challenges is a facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller in Wednesday's clash with the New York Islanders. While the injury has led to a precautionary absence from the Canucks' lineup, expectations are set for a prompt return to the ice.
Kuzmenko's Lone Bright Spot in Loss to Golden Knights
In Thursday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to score a solitary goal. The play unfolded as Miller pounced on a loose puck, drove towards the net, and served up a pass to Kuzmenko, who then rifled a wrist shot beyond 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. "I need to be better, I understand that. 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 in both scoring and general play throughout the first quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, at center, boasts 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists. Meanwhile, right winger Mikheyev has contributed 12 points, netting seven goals and adding five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Call for Improvement
Rick Tocchet, head coach of the Canucks, has expressed a desire for more effort and output from Kuzmenko, describing his current season's performance as "OK" but emphasizing the need for him to "play a little harder." In a bid to reset the winger's focus, Tocchet sidelined him 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 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 his expectations for Kuzmenko: increased tenacity in puck battles along the boards and a swifter defensive transition 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 said. "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 recent loss, Kuzmenko's third-period performance did not go unnoticed, with Tocchet praising 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 or backward skating defending; he was moving forward."
Kuzmenko's Mindset Amidst Scoring Drought
Kuzmenko himself acknowledges the high expectations placed upon him and is intent on improvement. He admits to being conscious of the statistical slump, particularly his mere four-goal count this year, and remains committed to contributing positively to the team's efforts.
When questioned about his mental state during an almost month-long goal drought in November, Kuzmenko responded with a smile. "What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," he said. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko is eager to build on his performance from Thursday as the Canucks prepare to face off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. His determination to refine his play and meet his coach's standards could be pivotal in turning around his season and, by extension, the fortunes of his line and team.