Former Vancouver Canuck Andrei Kuzmenko Rediscovers His Game with Kings, Making Canucks Regret Letting Him Go
Andrei Kuzmenko, once seen as a promising offensive force for the Vancouver Canucks, is currently enjoying a revival with the Los Angeles Kings—his third NHL team this season. After a rocky stretch following his departure from Vancouver, Kuzmenko is making headlines again for all the right reasons, and it’s starting to look like the Canucks may have been too quick to give up on him.
Kuzmenko’s NHL journey this year has been nothing short of chaotic. The 28-year-old Russian winger began the season with the Calgary Flames before being shipped off to the Philadelphia Flyers in January. But his stay in Philadelphia was brief, and at the NHL trade deadline, he was dealt once more—this time landing with the Kings, a team in need of offensive firepower. That final move might’ve been the break he needed.
It’s a far cry from his breakout rookie campaign in Vancouver, where Kuzmenko posted a stellar 74 points over 81 games. The chemistry he developed with Canucks star Elias Pettersson made him a fan favorite and a key piece of the team’s top-six forward group. However, his performance started to slip the following season, and with salary cap pressures looming, Vancouver moved him at last year’s deadline, bringing an end to a brief but impactful stint with the team.
His post-Canucks career initially lacked the spark he once displayed. Both in Calgary and Philadelphia, Kuzmenko struggled to fit into systems that didn’t quite match his skillset. However, the Los Angeles Kings saw an opportunity and capitalized on it, acquiring Kuzmenko from the Flyers in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick—an extremely modest price for a player with his scoring upside.
According to Noah Strang of DH Sports, the Kings’ gamble on Kuzmenko is already paying off. He’s thriving in Los Angeles, producing some of the best hockey of his NHL career. In 17 games with the Kings, Kuzmenko has tallied five goals and 11 points. More impressively, he has caught fire lately, scoring three goals and adding four assists in just his last five games.
What’s changed? The Kings placed Kuzmenko on their first line with seasoned captain Anze Kopitar and high-scoring winger Adrian Kempe, and the results have been immediate. The trio has developed instant chemistry, becoming a consistent threat every time they hit the ice. They’ve combined skill, vision, and finish to dominate opposing defenses.
With that top line firing on all cylinders, the Kings have surged, posting a 7-3 record in their last 10 games. When that unit is playing five-on-five, Los Angeles has outscored their opponents 13-4, a remarkable stat that highlights their collective dominance. That’s the kind of stat line that wins playoff series—and it couldn’t come at a better time for the Kings.
The Kings are preparing for a now-familiar playoff matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. If the current standings hold, this will mark the fourth consecutive year the two clubs meet in the first round. So far, Edmonton has had the upper hand, eliminating Los Angeles in each of the previous three years. But things may be different this time.
For one, the Kings might have home-ice advantage, a significant edge they haven’t enjoyed in previous series against the Oilers. More importantly, their forward group—led by the revitalized top line—looks more balanced and dangerous than ever. Kuzmenko, once thought to be in decline, is playing with renewed confidence and could be an X-factor in the series.
On the flip side, the Oilers appear vulnerable. Their top stars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, have been battling injuries, and Edmonton hasn’t looked quite as dominant down the stretch. That gives Los Angeles hope that this could finally be the year they break through.
For Kuzmenko, this stretch of strong play couldn’t have come at a better time, either. He’s in the final year of his current deal, which carries a $5.5 million cap hit. That salary may not be sustainable for his next contract, especially considering his earlier struggles this season. However, if he continues producing during the playoffs, he’ll make a compelling case to stay in the NHL—and potentially remain with the Kings.
What’s most striking about this situation is how little the Kings paid to get Kuzmenko. A third-round pick is a relatively minor asset, especially for a team in win-now mode. Meanwhile, Vancouver’s return on dealing Kuzmenko feels increasingly underwhelming in hindsight. Though the Canucks likely felt pressured by cap space concerns and a desire to restructure their roster, seeing Kuzmenko thrive elsewhere has raised eyebrows.
It’s easy to understand why Canucks fans are frustrated. Watching a former player rediscover his game with a rival Western Conference team—especially when that production could have helped them—stings. Had he been given more time or utilized differently in Vancouver, perhaps Kuzmenko could have remained a valuable piece of their core.
Still, the NHL is a business, and sometimes change is necessary for both the player and the organization. In this case, that change has clearly benefited Kuzmenko. Los Angeles has given him the opportunity, the linemates, and the ice time to do what he does best: score goals and create offense.
As the Kings prepare for the postseason, Kuzmenko’s resurgence could prove to be one of the league’s most impactful trade deadline stories. Whether he’s a long-term fit in L.A. or simply a short-term boost for a playoff push remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—he’s playing with passion and purpose, and he’s reminding everyone why he was once one of Vancouver’s most electrifying forwards.
Only time will tell if the Canucks will truly regret moving on from Kuzmenko, but for now, it’s clear that he’s found a new home—and he’s making the most of it.
