Value of: Andrei Kuzmenko next contract

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

what a weird player He was great in Vancouver, didn't work out in Calgary, at least not this year.

Then he goes to the Flyers and he's decent

then hr goes to LA and he's pretty good.

He seems to be a guy that scores at a consistent rate or he gives you NOTHING it makes me wonder what he gets on the UFA market

 

[Petes2424]

He’s gonna get a prove it deal from someone desperate for secondary scoring. If he gets more than $3.5 I’d be surprised. The problem is, you just can’t trust him from game to game, and it’s scary giving him a regular shift.

He’s got a reputation now, and it’s not good. Doubt a contender gives him much of a look.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

He’s gonna get a prove it deal from someone desperate for secondary scoring. If he gets more than $3.5 I’d be surprised. The problem is, you just can’t trust him from game to game, and it’s scary giving him a regular shift.

He’s got a reputation now, and it’s not good. Doubt a contender gives him much of a look.

I'm not sure about that.

Regardless of how this playoffs end I don't think guys like Jarnkrok and Kampf are long for this team.

I do wonder if Toronto gives Kuzmenko a look as a Jarnkrok replacement.

And I like Jarnkrok I just think he's a guy they look to replace.

 

[MrLunatik]

He seems to get complacent when after being with a team for a while, or that's how it seemed in Calgary.

 

[edevils]

The mental game aside, what's the celling on his general skill level?

 

[FSL KINGS]

2.5 happy
3.25 meh
4 nope

He's decent. Can occasionally get a pass or shot off. Really helped by bumping someone off the PP. That was more about the person leaving than Kuzmenko.

 

[Mr Nogatco]

3-4 M. Low floor, relatively high ceiling depending on fit and chemistry.

 

[Kshahdoo]

The problem is with low salary some NHL coach geniuses will be tempted to use him as a bottom6 forward. And of course it won't work. With high salary, though, he can just get into another bad mood mode and stop scoring.

You need a good coach to handle him not typical NHL ones...

 

[Avs2022]

Avs? I year deal?

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

He's a player who struggles significantly defensively but is excellent on a powerplay in front of the net. He's a slow skater but has very good hands. Someone will give him a deal but I have no idea how much he will get

 

[funky]

He fit real well in LA. Went ppg after his initial 7 game break in and went ppg in the playoffs although I think most this points were in 3 games.

He has great edges, great vision and should use his under rated shot more.

He was comical as he said he had to play better defensively because if he dogged it Kopitar would glare at him and he didn’t want to disappoint.

It was under 30 games but he meshed very well with Kopitar and Kempe and ignited a very stagnant power play.

If I was the Kings I would pay him a bit more for a shorter two year prove it contract. Would not want to go over the 4 mil a year mark though. 3 teams last year, the swoons in scoring over the last 3 years all scare me.

Also this will be Kopitars last year so some argue he might not fit as well after Kopitar leaves. That I don’t see as Kuzmenko is an offensive talent. I would worry more about the defensive side if Kopitar isn’t holding him accountable.

In his year end meeting he claimed to finally get it. So if he has that is awesome.

He also would get great money in the KHL.

I would gamble on 2/8 but that may be no where near enough term or money.

I think the Kings go big game hunting this year with Marner and once they get turned down by him like everyone else turns them down they will re-address and go after Kuzmenko

 

[Danko]

When he came to the flyers i thought i remember reading he wanted to play in russia next year

 

[MrLunatik]

He fit real well in LA. Went ppg after his initial 7 game break in and went ppg in the playoffs although I think most this points were in 3 games.

He fit in Calgary immediately after we acquired him too... then this season he was hot garbage for the most part.

When he joined the Flames he put up 14 goals and 25 points in 29 games.
When he joined the Kings he put up 11 goals and 23 points in 28 games (reg season and playoffs)

If I were a GM, I'd never give him more than a 1 year contract.

 

[Nanuuk]

Kuz is a happy-go-lucky, devil may care kind of person that sometimes is motivated to play hockey the way he is capable of.

So I suspect he will bounce around always searching for his next pay cheque that allows him his current lifestyle.