MAJOR | Jim Rutherford's comments point to Andrei Kuzmenko's time in Vancouver coming to an end

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Owen Fullerton
January 19, 2024 (5:50 PM)

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Andrei Kuzmenko had an excellent first season with the Vancouver Canucks scoring 39 goals and 74 points but has struggled mightily this season.

The 27-year-old has just 19 points in 39 games and has been a healthy scratch on several occasions, seemingly unable to get out of Rick Tocchet's dog house.

At a press conference on Friday, newly extended president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford said while Kuzmenko has lost his confidence and scoring touch, he's sure he'll regain it.

Rutherford wouldn't commit to it happening in Vancouver. Kuzmenko's name has come up in many rumours, with the Canucks hoping to add an impact top-six forward and top-four defencemen but having minimal cap space to work with.

However, the easiest solution to their top-six forward problems would be Kuzmenko breaking from his slump.

I don't know what we do more than what the coaching staff has been doing...He's lost his confidence. He's a good player, and he can score. There's no doubt in my mind that whether it's in Vancouver or another NHL city, he will score.

RUTHERFORD'S COMMENTS SUGGEST THE OF KUZMENKO IN VANCOUVER
There is no doubt in anyone's mind, including Rutherford's, that Kuzmenko is a skilled goalscorer. He believes the coaching staff did just about anything that could be done to help him buy into the team's mentality and structure, but his last words have been heard, and they strongly suggest that he may be on his way out.

As pointed out, it would be best for everyone if Kuzmenko just came back to the player he was last year, but the way it's going, the Canucks could make a better use of that $5.5M cap hit. Moving Kuzmenko could allow them to acquire the centerman needed to keep the Lotto Line together.

We'll closely monitor the situation as we get closer to the trade deadline.