Andrei Kuzmenko, the Vancouver Canucks winger, is no stranger to the pressures of high expectations following a lucrative two-year $11 million contract extension. His previous season's 74-point performance set a high bar, one that he has admittedly struggled to reach in the current campaign. With just 15 points comprising four goals and 11 assists over 21 games, Kuzmenko's productivity has seen a significant downturn.
The Russian athlete's situation was further complicated by a recent facial injury sustained from a deflected shot by teammate JT Miller during a game against the New York Islanders. This incident led to Kuzmenko being sidelined as a precaution, though he is anticipated to make a return shortly.
Kuzmenko's Lone Bright Spot in Tough Season
In a recent matchup at Rogers Arena against the Vegas Golden Knights, Kuzmenko managed to find the back of the net with a wrist shot past goaltender Logan Thompson, thanks to Miller's assist. Despite this goal, the Canucks fell to a 4-1 defeat. Post-game, Kuzmenko reflected on his individual performance with a team-first perspective, stating, "It doesn't matter if I scored ... it doesn't matter if my score doesn't help the team. I need to be better, this I understand. That's why I haven't played (as much) this season."
The top line for the Canucks, which includes Kuzmenko alongside Ilia Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson, has not matched the output of their second-line counterparts in both scoring and overall play for the first quarter of the NHL season. Pettersson, the center, has notched up 30 points with nine goals and 21 assists, while right winger Mikheyev has tallied 12 points with seven goals and five assists.
Coach Tocchet's Expectations
Rick Tocchet, the head coach of the Canucks, has been clear about his expectations for Kuzmenko, describing his season's performance as "OK" and noting the need for Kuzmenko to "play a little harder." This sentiment 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. "It's not about last year, it's about this year for us. And he's a guy that needed a reset."
Tocchet has delineated specific areas where Kuzmenko needs to improve: intensifying puck battles along the boards and hastening defensive reactions in the neutral zone. The coach emphasizes the importance of these aspects, stating, "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. 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 challenges, Kuzmenko's effort in the third period of the game against the Golden Knights did not go unnoticed by Tocchet, who commended the winger for his focused play. "If you watch his shifts in the third, he was going A to B," Tocchet said. "He wasn't zigzagging, backward skating defending; he was going forward."
Kuzmenko himself acknowledges the necessity to live up to his coach's high expectations and is committed to improving his performance. He also addressed queries regarding his mindset during a prolonged goal drought that spanned nearly the entire month of November with a confident demeanor. "What interesting questions about mentality. It's an interesting moment for mentality, for personality, for me," Kuzmenko responded with a smile. "It's simple with the hard work mentality, work in the gym, it's simple."
Looking ahead, Kuzmenko aims to build upon his latest performance as the Canucks prepare to face off against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. With the spotlight firmly on him to elevate his game, Kuzmenko's resolve appears unwavering. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether he can translate his commitment into consistent on-ice contributions that reflect his substantial abilities and meet the expectations that come with his role on the team.