On Oct. 15, Andrei Kuzmenko lit the lamp for the Calgary Flames.
On his sixth shot of the season, in his fourth game of the season, Kuzmenko scored what ended up standing as the game-winning power play goal as the Flames beat the Chicago Blackhawks at the Saddledome. As December winds down – 25 games, 24 shots, and two and a half months later – Kuzmenko is still looking for his second goal of the season. It’s a stark change from his introduction to the Flames in 2023-24, when he scored 14 goals over 29 games.
Kuzmenko’s had a rough 2024-25 season so far. His scoring has dried up. He’s bounced around the lineup a bit as head coach Ryan Huska attempted to get him going offensively. He’s even been a spectator of late due to a combination of his performance and a minor injury, sitting for seven of the Flames’ last 11 games. His return to the lineup against Vegas on Sunday was his first game appearance in 17 days.
All due respect, but Kuzmenko isn’t exactly a two-way ace – he’s no threat to win the Selke Trophy – but he’s a smart offensive player with a deadly shot. Kuzmenko is 13th among the 15 Flames forwards who’ve played 10 or more games this season – only Justin Kirkland and Walker Duehr have a lower shot rate. On a per-60 basis, he’s shooting about half as much this season as last. Getting him back on track offensively could be as simple as shooting more.
“Yes, I know, but we play against five guys,” said Kuzmenko after Monday’s optional practice at the Saddledome. “Yeah. It’s not easy. If I shoot every game, maybe three, four shots is a dangerous shot. Yes, I understand, I score. But now is a maybe I don’t play. Probably. Yes, because I need more shots. I need more dangerous moments for score. Dangerous shots. It’s not simple shots. Because if you shoot simple shots, how many percent when I score? Probably one person from one hundred person. I don’t like it. I like a dangerous shot. But before dangerous shots, I need a good position for shots. That’s what I think.”
Kuzmenko joked with the media about taking a couple shots from the red line next game. Head coach Ryan Huska discussed what Kuzmenko needs to improve on.
“You know, we all want him to shoot more because we know the type of shot that he does have,” said Huska. “For me, it’s more important that he’s around the puck, because when he’s around the puck, he’s going to put himself in positions where he can use his shot. The concern comes when he’s not touching it, and that’s where I think part of the issue comes into play. So how do you go about getting the puck more or getting around it more? And for me, that’s about skating and making sure you’re competitive to be there on loose pucks. You’re competitive when it’s you and someone else fighting for it. That’s what he needs to focus on, and then the shots will come in there.”
Does it feel like the goals are close for Kuzmenko?
“We’ll see, I hope,” said Kuzmenko. “Yes, it’s so close. But for me, the first course is the subtle steps. I want step by step. First step is a very good feeling. Second step is the hard work. Hard work in gym. And step on ice. A lot of moments. The score, not so close. But I hope it’s a little bit close.”
The Flames return to action and close out their 2024 with a New Year’s Eve meeting with Kuzmenko’s former team, the Vancouver Canucks.
