Kuzmenko's name has been on the trading block for nearly the entire 2023-24 campaign. After an impressive 39-goal performance last season, he has been off to a comparatively slow start this year.
Kuzmenko's recent struggles have not fared well with head coach Rick Tocchet, who has made the winger a healthy scratch six times this season already. With Tocchet mainly criticizing his inability to backcheck throughout games.
Recently, Andrei's agent (Dan Milstein) spoke to Pierre LeBrun of TSN regarding his client's future with the Canucks organization.
'
"He's (Kuzmenko) happy in Vancouver and doesn't want to leave the team" Dan said.
Kuzmenko clearly loves playing in the Pacific Northwest, and would not like to play anywhere else for the time being. The 27-year-old has made the implication multiple times that he wishes to remain in Vancouver.
Just last Saturday, Dan Milstein spoke to Rick Dhaliwal regarding Kuzmenko, where he had a very similar response.
"He says he nor Kuzmenko want a trade and both would like the situation to work out in Vancouver" Dhaliwal shared on X on January 6.
He's halfway through year one of a two-year, $11,000,000 ($5.5M AAV) during the offseason. It'll be interesting to see how the Canucks handle this situation and if the plan is to keep Kuzmenko in Vancouver for the entirety of his contract.
Through 36 games in 2023-24, Kuzmenko has just 8 goals and 19 points. A significant dropoff from the previous year.
He's been a fan favorite since his arrival, and it would be a shame to lose one of the brightest smiles onthe Canucks roster.
