Andrei Kuzmenko, 28, wasn’t drafted into the NHL. He generated a buzz from the KHL.
Kuzmenko made his KHL debut with CSKA Moscow in 2014-2015. Throughout his tenure with CSKA Moscow, Kuzmenko bounced between the MHL (Krasnaya Armiya Moscow) and the VHL (Zvezda Moscow). His first exclusive KHL season was 2018-2019 with a new club: SKA St. Petersburg.
As Kuzmenko switched KHL clubs, his stock began to rise. His best with CSKA Moscow was 2017-2018 (25pt; 13G, 12A) in 45GP. Kuzmenko steadily set new season heights as his time progressed at SKA St. Petersburg. Then, he broke through as a KHL star in 2021-2022.
The buzz in 2021-2022 (53pt; 20G, 33A) reverberated from the KHL to the NHL.
Finding his flow, Kuzmenko scored more than a point per game (45GP) in the 2021-2022 regular season. He didn’t maintain the same pace in the postseason (14pt; 7G, 7A) in 16GP, but his overall performance made him a sought-after commodity. Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, the Edmonton Oilers, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Nashville Predators were in the hunt to acquire Kuzmenko. The word on Kuzmenko highlighted his threat on the attack, reading and creating space in the defensive zone. He drew comparisons similar to Teuvo Teräväinen.
However, the Vancouver Canucks signed Kuzmenko to a 1yr/$950k contract. It was a ‘prove-it’ deal, and Kuzmenko did. He set his NHL season heights in 2022-2023 (74pt; 39G, 35A). It was his rookie season, earning him a 2yr/$11mil extension with the Canucks.
“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.” – Dan Milstein; 5/7/2022
Transitioning from the KHL to the NHL at almost a point per game (81GP) pace made Kuzmenko a star in Vancouver. Quinn Hughes (76), JT Miller (82), and Elias Pettersson (102) were the top three point producers ahead of Kuzmenko on the Canucks in 2022-2023.
Milstein said Vancouver fans should ‘be excited for many years,’ about what’s to come. He spoke highly of his client, but sooner than expected, the Canucks sent Kuzmenko to the Calgary Flames in 2023-2024. Kuzmenko cooled off his rookie season pace, earning fewer minutes, then labeled a healthy scratch by Rick Tocchet.
On the Flames, Kuzmenko regained some traction. He regained part of his rookie pace in 2023-2024 (25pt; 14G, 11A). Then, this season, Kuzmenko regressed to the pace that made Vancouver consider making a deal. Calgary made a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers (23-25-6) to offload Kuzmenko with Jakob Pelletier, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2028 seventh-round pick for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost. Kuzmenko has to prove it to the Flyers and the rest of the NHL once dealt in a contract season.
“We lose some great people in Kuzy [Kuzmenko] and Pelts [Pelletier]. Those are the hard parts of the job. Those really are. Pelts has been right here from his draft year all the way through. He was emotional. I was emotional for him. I know what it’s like to be sitting on that other side. It’s not easy. Unfortunately, to get players, you have to give up players, and that’s what we had to do in this deal.” – Craig Conroy; 1/31/2025
Philadelphia is currently on a three-game shutout streak, starving for scoring, and Kuzmenko could start hot in another destination.
If Kuzmenko is in the lineup tomorrow against the Utah Hockey Club, he’ll have 28GP if all goes well in his contract season audition for the Flyers and John Tortorella.
Daniel Brière wants to see what Kuzmenko can offer. If he seems like a fit, Kuzmenko, an upcoming UFA, could remain in Philadelphia. If not, the Flyers shed a $5.5mil/AAV cap hit.
“For Kuzmenko, we get to see what he is. He had a real good year two years ago. Last year, [he] had a rough start but really came on in the second half. Again, a little bit of a slow start, but he’s coming on lately. It gives us a chance to see a little bit of him from here on out and see if we can boost our offense a little bit coming down the stretch.” – Daniel Brière; 2/1/2025
This season (15pt; 4G, 11A) Kuzmenko needs to rebound from his start with the Flames. Exceeding what he left behind in Calgary will snag the attention of Brière. Kuzmenko has a brief history with Matvei Michkov from the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg. Perhaps Tortorella applies them to the same line to enable goal-scoring.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login