Amid the high stakes of the NHL season, Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko is confronting the pressure head-on. After a previous campaign that saw him notch an impressive 74 points, expectations were sky-high for the Russian athlete who entered this season on the back of a lucrative two-year, $11 million contract. However, the current term has presented its challenges, with Kuzmenko's production seeing a significant drop.
Twenty-one games into the season, his tally stands at a modest 15 points, consisting of four goals and 11 assists. This marked decline in output has seen him relegated to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on two occasions. Compounding his struggles is 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, team officials anticipate his prompt return to the lineup.
A Lone Bright Spot in a Tough Loss
In the recent matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights at Rogers Arena, Kuzmenko managed to find the net for a solitary goal. The play unfolded as Miller pounced on a loose puck, driving towards the net before serving up a pass to Kuzmenko, who then rifled 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," remarked Kuzmenko post-game. His self-awareness was evident as he acknowledged the need for personal improvement, linking it to the reduced ice time he has faced this season.
Comparing Line Performances
The scrutiny isn't solely on Kuzmenko; the entire first line, which he forms alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has been outshone by their second-line counterparts. While Pettersson has amassed a commendable 30 points, leading with nine goals and 21 assists, Mikheyev has contributed 12 points through seven goals and five assists. Their combined efforts, however, haven't translated into consistent top-line dominance.
Head Coach's Constructive Critique
Rick Tocchet, the head coach of the Canucks, has not shied away from expressing his desire for more from Kuzmenko. Describing his season's performance as "OK," Tocchet has called for increased intensity, culminating in 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 outlined specific areas for Kuzmenko to focus on: engaging more fiercely in puck battles along the boards and reacting more swiftly on defense in the neutral zone. Tocchet values these aspects of play highly, asserting, "It's not about just scoring goals. Goal scorers are going to go through slumps."
Tocchet praised Kuzmenko's third-period play against the Golden Knights, noting a marked improvement in his direct approach to the game. "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."
Kuzmenko himself is cognizant of Tocchet's expectations and is committed to elevating his performance. While acknowledging the concern surrounding his four-goal tally thus far, he remains dedicated to contributing to the team's success.
Brushing off questions about the mental toll of his prolonged scoring 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 underscored the importance of maintaining a strong work ethic, both on the ice and in the gym, as the foundation of his approach.
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko is set to channel the momentum from his latest performance into the upcoming game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. With the spotlight firmly on him, the Russian winger is poised to prove that he can rise above the challenges of this season and meet the high bar set by his past achievements.