[DanielWagner] What’s wild about the Kuzmenko contract is that the Canucks re-signed him (Jan26th) after just 2 games under their new, hand-picked head coach (Jan22nd). 3 games later, Kuz was already getting benched by Tocchet. You couldn’t wait just a few weeks to see if Kuz and Tocchet were a fit?

11 comments

1. Trade deadline was the pressure to resign if i recall. The canucks were not in a position to let Kuz walk in FA so if a deal was not signed. Its likely Kuzy would have been traded

2. Isn’t this a bit disingenuous. Last season he played 81 games so that would be “already getting benched” was one game. So it’s not like he didn’t play when Toccet was hired

3. Pretty dumb take.

   Had they waited, they would have seen that he played 81 games and scored 39 goals, and signed him to a similar deal.

   This whole story line is so tired.

4. I’m getting tired of this “Kuzy doesn’t fit Tocchet” narrative people have decided to ride.

   When Kuzmenko was producing to start the year, Tocchet was fine with overlooking his effort level and defensive miscues. When Kuz offense started drying up is when Tocc was harder on him for his effort and defensive miscues. Tocc was still giving Kuz PP1 minutes and they changed PP1 for a bit to have Kuzy be the trigger man even if he was bumped out of the top 6 at even strength he was still being given chances to produce. Tocc gave him 17 mins of ice time against Minnesota this weekend, only Petey, Mik, Boeser and Miller had more ice time among our forward group.

   Tocc literally laid it out in an interview that was posted here weeks ago. When you’re producing offensively it’s okay to cheat but when that offense dries up you have got to have the effort and the defensive positioning down.

   This isn’t a Kuzy doesn’t fit Tocc system bullshit. It’s Kuzy shooting percentage has come back down to earth and because he’s not producing enough offensively compared to early in the season, Tocc is no longer giving him a pass on his effort and defensive play.

5. Wags is making a good point, in terms of waiting to see how he gels under the head coach. But would that have changed anything about his extension?

   I know theres the argument for trading him last season at the TDL.. I just think the return would have been underwhelming.

   Looking at the Kuzmenko situation as a whole, I still think a 2 year extension was probably the right move.

6. Didn’t he score more goals for Tocchet than he did for Bruce?

   I don’t think holding him to a high standard means they aren’t a fit. It’s a part of the process, we all know he needs to be better. Holding his hands with kids gloves doesn’t help anybody.

   Kuzzy is a very talented player. He will figure it out. But he needs to be held accountable just like everyone else on the team.

7. Wagner in October:

   [I’m skeptical. Kuzmenko actually played more in the third period than in the first two periods. That’s not usually a sign of a player on the outs with a coach.](https://twitter.com/passittobulis/status/1715183884806373673)

   Fuck outta here with this revisionist nonsense. No one, including him, was raising these concerns at the start of the year. When would he have preferred they make the decision on whether to sign him? Because even he didn’t see evidence it was a bad fit until long, long after that decision had to be made.

8. I’m surprised more people aren’t bringing bringing up the fact he got hit in the face with a puck. I know he’s a professional but maybe he’s playing hurt and a little timid still. I would hate for them to give up on him.

9. Hindsight is a beautiful thing. But questioning the extension now when at the time he was on pace for 40+ goals is just pure silliness.

10. This is the one black eye on Allvin for me. Kuzmenko was a perfect sell high candidate last year. Now he’s just another wave in the sea of Garlands.

11. All the media does is prove they have perfect hindsight.