Andrey Kuzmenko is undergoing enormous tests this year. Almost throughout the regular season, there have been rumors about his possible exchange, and Vancouver head coach Rick Tocquette expresses dissatisfaction with the Russian’s play. Tocquette doubts Kuzmenko is the right player for a top-six offensive line. And if last season the coach personally pointed out the forward’s shortcomings, then in the current regular season he criticizes the Russian through journalists.

In addition, Tocket periodically forced Kuzmenko to watch matches from the stands, not allowing him near the main team. As a result, Vancouver found itself in a difficult situation: on the one hand, a Russian forward with a salary of $5.5 million has no place in the lower echelons. But at the same time, Tocquette did not see a striker in the top 6.

Due to difficult relationships with the coach, it is difficult to show results. So Kuzmenko has scored only three goals in the last 19 matches. Although last season (the debut for the Russian) he scored 39 goals in 81 matches. At the same time, even in the shock link of the Canadian club, the player could not reach last year’s figures.

Andrey Kuzmenko and Vancouver Canucks hockey players / Photo: © REUTERS/Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Against this background, rumors have emerged that Vancouver is preparing to exchange the hockey player in the near future. Possible options included Washington and San Jose. However, journalist Joshua Griffith spoke with the Russian’s agent Dan Milstein, who said that Kuzmenko was happy in Vancouver and would not want to change the team.

To maintain his club registration, the striker needed to prove his worth. And now, after two matches, which he missed by the coach’s decision, Kuzmenko returned to the ice.

The perfect return to the lineup

The Russian’s return took place in the match against San Jose – an ideal option, since the “sharks” this season often allow their opponents to mock their own defense. At the same time, Tocquette allowed Kuzmenko to prove himself in the strike line in conjunction with Elias Pettersson. Smart move from the coach. On the one hand, he really gave all the conditions to the player, on the other hand, he left himself the opportunity to say after the match that he did everything possible, but the Russian is not holding out. In addition, it is difficult to imagine the psychological state of a hockey player who understands that any mistake will send him to the bench.

However, Kuzmenko left all these thoughts behind and went out onto the ice to destroy San Jose. The forward opened the scoring in the 94th second: the Russian hit the puck into the net with a wrist shot, and then rejoiced as if he had scored for the first time in his career. And five minutes later, Kuzmenko came out to convert the power play and, after the pass, sent the puck into the goal, scoring a double.

Andrey Kuzmenko / Photo: © REUTERS/Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Then the goal celebration began at Vancouver’s home arena. During the remaining time of the first period, the “sharks” managed to score two goals and level the score. However, San Jose failed to stay afloat: over the next two periods, the hosts scored five more goals against the guests. As a result, the Canadian club won a landslide victory – 7:4. Thus, before leaving for the holidays, Vancouver scored the most points in the league and topped the Western Conference table.

As for Kuzmenko, Tocquette did not release him at the end of the meeting, when the “sharks” played with an empty goal. The coach simply deprived the Russian of the opportunity to score a hat-trick. This means that the education process is still ongoing. Kuzmenko himself, in order not to provoke a conflict, is unlikely to talk about discontent.

— For me this is a very important moment. I haven’t played two games, but that’s not a problem. “I trust the coaching staff,” Kuzmenko told reporters after the match.

But even Kuzmenko’s double does not put an end to this story. If Tocquette decided that the Russian is not suitable for him, then at any opportunity he will again send him to the reserve. But Vancouver fans hope that the coach will come to his senses and begin to trust the 27-year-old forward more.