Canucks make Andrei Kuzmenko healthy scratch vs. Predators

Vancouver Canucks' Andrei Kuzmenko (96), of Russia, passes the puck while being checked by Seattle Kraken's Gustav Olofsson (23), of Sweden, during the first period of a pre-season NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, September 29, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/CP)

For the fourth time this season, Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko will be a healthy scratch for the team as they take on the Nashville Predators.

Head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the decision after morning skate on Tuesday.

“Trying to win a game tonight and I felt this was the best lineup for tonight,” Tocchet told reporters. “We’ll re-evaluate the Dallas game, but for tonight that’s what we’re going to go with.”

A 39-goal scorer in his rookie season, Kuzmenko has failed to generate offence this year, scoring just six goals and 17 points in 29 outings. He had been recently demoted to the fourth line after starting up top with Elias Pettersson and Ilya Mikheyev.

Nils Aman slots into his place in the lineup.

Kuzmenko was previously a healthy scratch for three consecutive games at the end of November, but has registered just three points (three goals) since making his return to the lineup.

After his breakout first year in the NHL, the Canucks inked him to a two-year, $11 million contract during the off-season. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after 2024-25.

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