Insider reveals new information regarding Kuzmenko: Eastern team getting involved
Photo credit: Sportsnet
It's no secret Andrei Kuzmenko has not been in good standing with Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet recently.
The Russian forward scored 39 goals last year and re-signed with the Canucks for 2 years at $5.5 million, but he's been a healthy scratch four times this season.
Just trying to win a game tonight and I felt this was the best lineup,
Tocchet said of the decision to scratch Kuzmenko on Tuesday night.The Canucks have said they want to work with Kuzmenko to get him back to where he was last season, and aren't eager to move the talented winger at a low point in value.
Teams have taken notice of the maligned relationship however, and one team in particular with a recent history of success with Russian players appears interested.
The Washington Capitals reportedly like the 27 year old winger, as their offence has struggled out of the gates with Alex Ovechkin's mere 5 goals highlighting that.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said on the Jeff Marek show on Tuesday that the Capitals are interested in the forward, but he doesn't see a clear trade fit.
He said the Kuzmenko situation needs a fix in some way.
I think Washington is a team that's looked around at Kuzmenko but I just don't see a trade match there. It's not like the Canucks are going to take Anthony Mantha. I just don't know where this is going to sort itself out aside from the fact that you can't have a guy making that salary playing 12 minutes a night,
Friedman said.The Capitals are expected to sign Ethan Bear soon and when they do will have four right side defenceman on the roster.
As Vancouver continues to have interest in bolstering the right side of their defence, Trevor Van Riemsdyk or Nick Jensen could be potential targets for the Canucks in a Kuzmenko deal.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/590/jeff-marek-show/the-latest-with-elliotte-friedman-who-will-be-sens-next-gm-and-hc-kuzmenko-healthy-scratch/
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 20 | 756 ANSWERS Insider reveals new information regarding Kuzmenko: Eastern team getting involved Have the Canucks reached a point where they should consider trading Kuzmenko? | ||
| Yes | 299 | 39.6 % |
| No | 457 | 60.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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