The Vancouver Canucks have a decision to make before the deadline. Andrei Kuzmenko, the KHL free agent that has been such an impressive addition, is scheduled for unrestricted free agency. The team could trade him over the next few weeks, and recoup whatever assets are available, or sign him to an extension in the hopes they can turn things around quickly. They appear to be pursuing the latter, with president Jim Rutherford announcing publicly last week that the team would try to sign Kuzmenko.
Today, agent Dan Milstein spoke with Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK TV and confirmed as much. Milstein explained that the negotiations have started, but that his preference is for a short-term extension. He even referred to it as a “bridge deal,” a term normally reserved for restricted free agents that are exiting their entry-level contract.
That is what Kuzmenko’s doing – leaving his ELC – but because of his age (27 in less than two weeks), he’ll be a UFA instead. A bridge deal in this case would suggest a one or two-year deal to further establish his talent in the NHL before looking to cash in on a long-term, big-money contract. A lot of the leverage here is on the side of the player, though, given Vancouver’s lack of control. Kuzmenko could simply walk in the offseason if he doesn’t get the offer he’s looking for, and would likely have 31 other general managers reaching out to see what it would take to bring him in.
With 43 points in his first 46 NHL games, it’s Kuzmenko’s play that has given him this leverage. After developing into a star in the KHL, he has made the transition to North America rather flawlessly. His 21 goals are second on the Canucks to Bo Horvat, and his 43 points tie him with Quinn Hughes for third – Elias Petterson’s 56 lead the way.
The fact is, you could argue that Kuzmenko has been more effective for the Canucks this season than players like J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, and Ilya Mikheyev. Those players are carrying cap hits of $5.25MM, $6.65MM, $4.95MM, and $4.75MM respectively, with a massive seven-year, $56MM contract coming down the pipe for Miller. Kuzmenko’s inexperience will be held up in talks, but it’s hard to argue against the production from this season.
For Vancouver, though, as much as a long-term deal might provide some value down the road, a short-term deal might be best. They can’t afford to make another contract mistake, and a “bridge” contract would allow them to reassess the situation in a year or two and trade Kuzmenko at that point if necessary.
Who the f would want a long term deal with Vancouver with the state they’re in right now! Lol
Bro better get out while the gettin’s good.
@DarkSide830 & @LarryJ4—Pity I can’t give you both TWO thumbs up. And here we thought the Canadian Tire Centre Tire Fire was going to be King for years. Vancouver has collectively said, “Is that all you got???”
He will be better going to a team like devils or Buffalo..
Sorry Bucky. Russian players and Sabres just never seem to work out. He’s fit the mold of what both teams are building though.
LARRYJ4. True to that but I do remember a guy named Alex Mogilny…alot of surprises with trades this year I predict…
I have to say I like those jersey over their regular ones
Agreed
Yeah, this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. If he can cash in now, he should cash in now. If someone offers him a long term deal, he should take a long term deal. Plenty of guys in his skates and at his age who thought that the sky was the limit, only to find that like 95% of the world, age 27 is athletic prime, and most athletes start declining after that. That “bridge deal” is going to look mighty shortsighted if Kuzmenko starts to regress in a year or so, or if he gets hurt.