Canucks put sought-after Russian on list
KHL free agent Kuzmenko touted as rugged two-way talent with top-six potential
The Vancouver Canucks are apparently very interested in Andrei Kuzmenko, a top-six freeagent Russian winger.
The 26-year-old Kuzmenko scored 20 goals and added 33 assists in 45 games for SKA St. Petersburg of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League this season.
Dan Milstein, Kuzmenko's agent, didn't want to get too much into details about his client's hunt for National Hockey League work.
“We are in the process of interviewing a short list of teams. Vancouver is on the list,” Milstein said in an email. “There is no deadline to select the team and or sign the contract for (the) 2022-23 season. Out of respect for Andrei and teams involved in this process I will not be making any additional comments at this time.”
But he's still said plenty in recent days.
Last week, Milstein told the Canucks Conversation podcast that Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin first saw Kuzmenko play in 2013, when Allvin was the Pittsburgh Penguins' director of European scouting, so he wasn't surprised the Canucks have interest.
“We've been talking to Vancouver executives for a very long time. It's a great city, very passionate fans, a good place to play, a good team, good coaching and stable management. Fans in Vancouver should be excited for many years on what's to come. Based on what I've heard, I'm excited,” he said on the podcast.
“I expect (Kuzmenko) to be a top-six forward, he can play on the power play,” he added. “He's very strong, he's a hard worker, he plays on both sides of the ice and we expect him to make an impact from early on.”
Kuzmenko is a free agent after his four-year deal with SKA came to an end. He broke into the KHL with CSKA Moscow in 2014-15 as an 18-yearold after coming up through their junior system.
“We expect him to be a very good player at the NHL level,” Milstein told Canucks Conversation. “This is the first opportunity to come to North America.”
Current Canuck Vasily Podkolzin was Kuzmenko's teammate at SKA, but Milstein discounted the connection as being a driving force behind Kuzmenko's interest in the Canucks.
“The hockey business is fairly small, so everybody has played with everybody or against each other,” he noted. “When we look at coming to North America we don't select the team just because of somebody you used to play with on that particular team. ... It isn't a major focal point.”
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Kuzmenko has had or will have conversations with the Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators.
Will Scouch, head of video analysis for McKeen's Hockey, said Kuzmenko could make a big impact in the NHL, no matter where he lands.
He said he's watched the bulky Russian for some time, first drawing his eye while playing for CSKA alongside former Minnesota Wild pick Andrei Svetlakov.
“Kuzmenko has slowly blossomed into one of the only undrafted KHL players that I think could easily translate to a significant offensive role in the NHL,” Scouch said.
“His offensive skills put together makes him a devastating player with the puck. He battles to get to the net, but he can also use skill to navigate pressure and get in tight to the net. He can draw in pressure and pass pucks out of his lane, he finds space off-puck and can be a shooting threat there.”
Scouch said data shows Kuzmenko sets himself apart from many of his Russian peers by focusing on shooting from dangerous areas in and around the slot, not just firing from anywhere. He does this through smart skating.
“He's evasive on his edges down low, trying to create passing lanes or space to find shooting opportunities,” said Scouch.
That said, Kuzmenko's shot itself is not a strength.
“The quickness on his release is fine, but not necessarily a huge threat in my view,” said Scouch.
Kuzmenko's playing style, in the end, is more suited to playing with offensively minded teammates, less towards that of a hustling depth forward.
“I do think his lack of real high-end foot speed and somewhat heavy feet could limit his potential as a huge role player in the NHL, but as an offensive winger with a diverse tool kit Kuzmenko should be an everyday NHL player, likely working his way onto a team's middle-six group of wingers,” Scouch concluded.
WORLDLY — Canucks prospect Linus Karlsson is off to the world championship as the Swedish Hockey Federation announced its roster for the tournament that starts on Friday. The 22-year-old Karlsson had 46 points in 52 games for Skellefteå this season, his first in the Swedish Hockey League. He joins Canuck Oliver Ekman Larsson — and former Canucks prospect Henrink Tömmernes — on Sweden's roster.