Scratched: Former Canucks Forward Will Spend New Year's Eve in Press Box Against Vancouver
The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are facing off for a New Year's Eve contest at 6 PM PST tonight - but the game won't be an opportunity for Andrei Kuzmenko to stick it to his former team.
Kuzmenko, who was part of last season's Elias Lindholm trade, started his time in Calgary off on a good foot, looking more like the first year Canuck sniper who put up 39 goals and 74 points in his first NHL season in 2022-23, but this year the Russian sniper has struggled again and tonight finds himself as a healthy scratch.
Last season, in the first of a two year extension with Vancouver, Kuzmenko routinely found himself in Rick Tocchet's dog house due to a perceived lack of effort before ultimately being dealt to the division rival Flames.
Since being moved, Kuzmenko has faced his former club four times, posting one assist and a -1 rating.
Extra sting to this healthy scratch
While it's not the first time Kuzmenko has been scratched by the Flames, the decision to sit him tonight in particular sends a pretty clear message.
Just one point behind the Canucks, Calgary has a chance to leapfrog them with a regulation victory and take sole possession of fourth in the Pacific and the second wild card spot.
And while players often find extra motivation against their former team, Kuzmenko being scratched against his former team is a pretty strong indictment from his new head coach.
The 28 year old's skill is undeniable, but his NHL career may end up short lived if he doesn't turn things around.
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