{"id":129965,"date":"2022-06-20T15:32:43","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T19:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=129965"},"modified":"2022-06-20T15:32:43","modified_gmt":"2022-06-20T19:32:43","slug":"andrei-kuzmenko-contract-signed-khl-star-coming-to-nhl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/06\/20\/andrei-kuzmenko-contract-signed-khl-star-coming-to-nhl\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrei Kuzmenko Contract Signed, KHL Star coming to NHL"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Vancouver Canucks<\/a> signed free agent left winger Andrei Kuzmenko to an NHL contract. The details of the contract have not yet been disclosed.<\/p>\n

\n

Andrei Kuzmenko has chosen the #Canucks<\/a>, according to his instagram page. pic.twitter.com\/7yK2EBggdh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 20, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Andrei Kuzmenko Contract Signed, Leaves KHL<\/h2>\n

Kuzmenko, 26, played solely overseas thus far in his professional hockey career. Born in 1996 in Russia, the winger entered the KHL back in the 2014-15 season. He performed well year after year, but reached new highs in 2021-22. In 45 games, Kuzmenko netted 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points. That ranked as his first season over the 20-goal plateau, and brought him many NHL suitors.<\/p>\n

Kuzmenko also represented Russia on the international stage. With the current political climate, though, those opportunities likely won’t be appearing again any time soon. He joins a young Canucks team excited about their future.<\/p>\n

What This Means for the Future<\/h3>\n

The Canucks experienced quite a “Jekyll and Hyde” year in 2021-22. Their poor start under Travis Green<\/a> (8-15-2) put the team well behind the pack right away, in a hole that looked unsurmountable. A coaching change followed, and Bruce Boudreau<\/a> entered. He led them to a 32-15-10 finish, which comes out to a 106-point pace over a full season. While 106 points would’ve been enough for a playoff berth, the 92 they actually accumulated left them five points shy.<\/p>\n

\n

Two SKA representatives have been named the best KHL players of December!<\/p>\n

Lars Johansson (94.7%, 1.36) is the top goaltender, while Andrei Kuzmenko (5+10) is the best forward!<\/p>\n

More: https:\/\/t.co\/5RMyvhML3H<\/a> #hcSKA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KnNn951lMV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SKA Ice Hockey Club (@hcSKA_News) January 3, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n