What's the deal with Andrei Kuzmenko (esp. this season)?

[The Panther]

What gives with Andrei Kuzmenko of The Flames?:

2022-23 (Van.)
39 goals in 82 games
2023-24 (Van. and Calg.)
22 goals in 72 games
2024-25 (Calg.)
1 goal in 32 games

That's quite a slippery slope! And only 31 shots on goal this season. I mean, he plays almost 15 minutes per game, so you'd think a recent 40-goal guy would be positioning himself to get more than 2 shots every 3 games, even if he's stuck on the second or third line.

What's the deal here?

Click to read more...

 

[WarriorofTime]

Out of lineup, probably back to Russia next season

 

[The Panther]

Oh, has he been a healthy scratch? I didn't know.

Still, 1 goal in 32 games... Have to figure either injured or disgusted with NHL in general...

 

[ViD]

Following Gusev path, unfortunately

 

[Frank the Tank]

He looks like Yakupov playing that chased by bees hockey.

 

[MarkusNaslund19]

He's a really skilled, creative player with great offensive hockey sense.


But he needs someone else to do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of puck retrieval, transitioning to the other zone, etc.

He also doesn't play well within a system defensively (or on the forecheck) which drives disciplined coaches crazy.

His 39 goal year was really a testament to Elias Pettersson and how incredible he is when he's on his game (and part of why we shouldn't trade him).

So it was funny seeing some Canucks fans suggesting it was Kuzmenko making Pettersson better.

With that said, Kuz thinks the game like an elite offensive player and has unreal hands, so with the right star linemate he can help them bag their points and vice versa.

It's just that, thus far, he hasn't done that as part of a winning team. And if you put him on the wrong line he disappears offensively while remaining a defensive and forechecking liability which is a one way ticket to the press box.

 

[syz]

Dude cost himself millions not going to Edmonton. He's not great but you'd think he'd have done pretty f***ing well on the wing of either McDavid or Draisaitl.

 

[hypereconomist]

The Flames' play style isn't very conducive to offense. They're still playing a Sutter-type of style at ES, where offense relies on a lot of point shots/creating havoc in front of the net, playing off the boards instead of through center, not much offensive creation off the rush, etc.

As @MarkusNaslund19 mentioned, Kuzmenko's strengths are his hands, hockey IQ, and general play below the ringette line. He's not getting a chance to show that off in the Flames' system. He's fallen out of favour because when he's not producing, he's slow, not very strong, and not good at defense.

Kuzmenko would be better suited as a secondary scorer and PP merchant on a team with a lot of offensive talent like the Lightning or the Oilers.

 

[TheNumber4]

Dude conned the Nucks into thinking he was an NHLer at Vancouvers fanciest restaurant, then the Nucks conned the Flames into thinking the same thing.

The only one not conned was Holland and the Oilers, who decided to take him to Denny’s and offer him League minimum show me deal.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

Dude cost himself millions not going to Edmonton. He's not great but you'd think he'd have done pretty f***ing well on the wing of either McDavid or Draisaitl.

What, like Jeff Skinner did? They're the same player

 

[nowhereman]

He was lucky to play with Pettersson during that one small spell where Pettersson actually gave a s*** about playing well.

 

[Rowlet]

Dude cost himself millions not going to Edmonton. He's not great but you'd think he'd have done pretty f***ing well on the wing of either McDavid or Draisaitl.

That's exactly what McDavid and Draisaitl need, another winger who doesn't give a shit and has zero compete level while being completely inept defensively.

 

[majormajor]

Dude conned the Nucks into thinking he was an NHLer at Vancouvers fanciest restaurant, then the Nucks conned the Flames into thinking the same thing.

The only one not conned was Holland and the Oilers, who decided to take him to Denny’s and offer him League minimum show me deal.

The Oilers might be much better off with Kuzmenko than their plethora of bad forwards - Skinner, Arvidsson, etc... Let's not act like they're immune from being conned.

 

[MessierII]

That's exactly what McDavid and Draisaitl need, another winger who doesn't give a shit and has zero compete level while being completely inept defensively.

At the time he came into the league he would have had opportunity. Woodcroft gave guys like that rope and they had a spot for him. Now he wouldn’t crack the lineup. Knobloch wouldn’t tolerate him.

 

[ESH]

He looks like Yakupov playing that chased by bees hockey.

He’d actually have to skate hard to look like that

He produced pretty well last year with the Flames, but he’s been completely invisible this year.

 

[Lunatik]

What gives with Andrei Kuzmenko of The Flames?:

2022-23 (Van.)
39 goals in 82 games
2023-24 (Van. and Calg.)
22 goals in 72 games
2024-25 (Calg.)
1 goal in 32 games

That's quite a slippery slope! And only 31 shots on goal this season. I mean, he plays almost 15 minutes per game, so you'd think a recent 40-goal guy would be positioning himself to get more than 2 shots every 3 games, even if he's stuck on the second or third line.

What's the deal here?

It's worth pointing out he was pretty terrible in Vancouver last season before the trade too. Nott his bad, but he was still not great.

IMO he seems

 

[Bounces R Way]

Complete refusal to shoot the puck this season. Which is one of two things that make him a worthwhile NHL player. Huska is fed up with him and I don't blame him, if he's not scoring he's worse than useless.

seems like a fun guy tho, kinda hope he sticks around NA but it won't be in Calgary

 

[Regal]

He's a really skilled, creative player with great offensive hockey sense.


But he needs someone else to do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of puck retrieval, transitioning to the other zone, etc.

He also doesn't play well within a system defensively (or on the forecheck) which drives disciplined coaches crazy.

His 39 goal year was really a testament to Elias Pettersson and how incredible he is when he's on his game (and part of why we shouldn't trade him).

So it was funny seeing some Canucks fans suggesting it was Kuzmenko making Pettersson better.

With that said, Kuz thinks the game like an elite offensive player and has unreal hands, so with the right star linemate he can help them bag their points and vice versa.

It's just that, thus far, he hasn't done that as part of a winning team. And if you put him on the wrong line he disappears offensively while remaining a defensive and forechecking liability which is a one way ticket to the press box.

To be fair I think the second part plays into the first. Pettersson was certainly doing all the heavy lifting that year but it also showed what he was capable of when he was on and playing with someone who could keep up with his creativity and IQ which he hasn’t really had otherwise since the lotto line was a thing, and even then Miller and Boeser are more straight line players at times.

 

[Regal]

Dude cost himself millions not going to Edmonton. He's not great but you'd think he'd have done pretty f***ing well on the wing of either McDavid or Draisaitl.

I mean he scored 39 goals as a rookie and turned it into 12 million. I’m not sure if he would have got a much better deal in Edmonton.

 

[TheNumber4]

The Oilers might be much better off with Kuzmenko than their plethora of bad forwards - Skinner, Arvidsson, etc... Let's not act like they're immune from being conned.

“Plethora”. You mentioned 2 guys and only one is bad. Arviddson is good and will be a great member of this core. Forgot to mention McD, Hyms, Nuge, Drai, Kane, Henrique and yes, even Janmark, Brown, Perry.

 

[PlayersLtd]

He's a really skilled, creative player with great offensive hockey sense.


But he needs someone else to do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of puck retrieval, transitioning to the other zone, etc.

He also doesn't play well within a system defensively (or on the forecheck) which drives disciplined coaches crazy.

His 39 goal year was really a testament to Elias Pettersson and how incredible he is when he's on his game (and part of why we shouldn't trade him).

So it was funny seeing some Canucks fans suggesting it was Kuzmenko making Pettersson better.

With that said, Kuz thinks the game like an elite offensive player and has unreal hands, so with the right star linemate he can help them bag their points and vice versa.

It's just that, thus far, he hasn't done that as part of a winning team. And if you put him on the wrong line he disappears offensively while remaining a defensive and forechecking liability which is a one way ticket to the press box.

Sounds like a match made in Tim Stutzle heaven...

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Dude cost himself millions not going to Edmonton. He's not great but you'd think he'd have done pretty f***ing well on the wing of either McDavid or Draisaitl.

??

Wasn’t he traded to the flames?

 

[Rowlet]

At the time he came into the league he would have had opportunity. Woodcroft gave guys like that rope and they had a spot for him. Now he wouldn’t crack the lineup. Knobloch wouldn’t tolerate him.

He had that opportunity in Vancouver too, Boudreau gave him free reign to have fun and not back check and then Tocchet wasn't able to whip him into shape.

 

[Zine]

He’s a very talented, but very incomplete player who needs to be put in a position to succeed. I’m guessing a lot of coaches don’t have the roster make-up, nor patience to do this. But for those who do he can be a significant asset to a team.

 

[syz]

??

Wasn’t he traded to the flames?

When he was moving to the NHL it came down to Vancouver and Edmonton. He chose Vancouver after Edmonton management took him to dinner at a mid restaurant.