Former Canuck Sets the NHL on Fire, Proving Vancouver Should Have Kept Him When They Had the Chance
Photo credit: LA Kings Insider
Andrei Kuzmenko may have finally found his stride in the NHL.
Former Vancouver Canuck Andrei Kuzmenko has found new life on his third team this season with the Los Angeles Kings.
Kuzmenko has been part of three teams this season, moving from the Calgary Flames to the Philadelphia Flyers in January, and then being traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline.
After finishing his rookie season with a career high 74 points in 81 games, the Russian winger has yet to record a similar campaign after leaving the Canucks at the trade deadline last season.
Noah Strang of DH Sports writes that the Kings acquired Kuzmenko for next to nothing, paying just a 2027 third-round pick to the Flyers in exchange for the talented winger. It seems to have been a good bet by the Kings, as Kuzmenko is playing some of the best hockey of his career.
The sniper has five goals and 11 points in 17 games, including three goals and seven points in his last five contests. He's playing on the first line alongside Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. The trio has found some great chemistry together and is dominating opponents, helping the Kings go 7-3 in their last 10 games. -Strang
The Kings have outscored their opponents 13-4 at five-on-five with that top line on the ice.
The Kings are poised to play the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for the fourth year in a row. Although they've lost the series in each of the last three seasons, they may have their best opportunity yet, especially with the likely advantage of home-ice.
With Kuzmenko and their top line thriving, as well as the Oilers sputtering, the Kings have some hope. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have both been dealing with injuries and the Oilers haven't looked like the well-oiled machine they have in past years. -Strang
This is the final season of Kuzmenko's current contract, which carries a $5.5 million cap hit. He will likely have to accept a pay cut on his next deal.
His recent performance has significantly boosted his value for the future, especially if he's able to continue his strong play throughout the Kings' upcoming playoff run.
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 9 | 395 ANSWERS Former Canuck Sets the NHL on Fire, Proving Vancouver Should Have Kept Him When They Had the Chance Will Andrei Kuzmenko remain with the Los Angeles Kings at the end of the season? | ||
| yes | 271 | 68.6 % |
| no | 124 | 31.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
