Andrei Kuzmenko had an incredible first season with the Vancouver Canucks, he put up 39 goals and 35 assists in 81 games. Kuzmenko has some of the best hands in the NHL and is very exciting to watch.
Kuzmenko is a highlight reel machine. Will miss him, just didn't jive this year. He's going to crush it on the flames if he's allowed a long leash to be creative. At the very least he will keep ya'll entertained. Such good energy and so fun to watch.
As an avs fan, I want Vancouver back in the playoffs so bad, that canucks crowd is electric constantly and they got pettersson and the kuzmeister too so they would be fun
I can’t support the Canucks but do have to admit that the atmosphere sounds pretty great.. it’s no Montreal but maybe 3rd in Canada after Oilers (World juniors about 15 years back and Olympic Golds stands out specifically).
Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko had to make some dietary sacrifices this summer. Last summer, before the 27-year-old winger suited up for the Canucks out of the KHL, Kuzmenko made some heavily topped waffles a staple of his diet. Even after scoring 39 goals in his first NHL season, Kuzmenko knew he had to cut out the sweet delicacies for training purposes. “Last season was so bad for me, my weight,” Kuzmenko told Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre. “Now, I lose weight. Last summer, I (ate) a lot of waffles.” And they weren't just your basic Eggos, either. Kuzmenko dressed his waffles to the nines. “Waffles, then Nutella, then strawberries, then bananas.” Sounds like the ideal start to any day, but maybe not for a high-level athlete. Kuzmenko made some sacrifices during his training this summer to hopefully turn up to Canucks camp in much better shape this time around. “Waffles are not good for me," he said. “I like, but (they're) not good for me. This summer, rules for me: no chocolate, no Nutella, no ice cream in my freezer. You want ice cream, then go to the market. But I stay home.” The strict change may help Kuzmenko avoid a sophomore slump this upcoming season. He entered 2022-23 as the top KHL free agent and as a largely unknown quantity. He then scored 39 goals and 74 points and led the entire NHL in shooting percentage for a Canucks team that was sorely lacking high-end talent. And with Vancouver rewarding him with a two-year, $11-million contract in the middle of last season, Kuzmenko only wants to improve. “I need to be better,” he said. “Little drills, yes? Defence, I be better. Shooting, I be better. I shoot more. And skating ... I need physical body. Work, work, work. “I know I have pressure. But I have pressure all my hockey years. Every year, step up. But for me, it’s simple: You want to be better? Go to work. Go to the gym, go to the ice, go to the cycle. You don’t want to be better? Relax, stay home. But I want to be better.”
What a beautiful player and a Prime beaver tapper :) Where did he even come from? Doesnt look like he was ever drafted. Only point per game player in MHL VHL. Started to turn on when he arrived to SKA St Pete. Definition of a late bloomer?
