As the Kings get set to kick off their opening round series against Colorado on Sunday, they’re getting an offensive boost. The team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve activated winger Andrei Kuzmenko off injured reserve.
The 30-year-old played in the first game after the Olympics in late February and has been sidelined ever since due to a knee injury sustained in that game against Vegas. He soon underwent meniscus surgery with a week-to-week designation after that. He’ll wind up missing a little more than seven weeks overall with the injury.
Kuzmenko is in his first full season with the Kings, who acquired him from Philadelphia at the 2024 trade deadline and after a promising showing down the stretch, he inked a one-year, $4.3MM contract to avoid the open market last summer. He had an up-and-down showing during the regular season, chipping in with 13 goals and 12 assists which had to be considered a little underwhelming after putting up 17 points in 22 games to close out 2024-25.
However, Kuzmenko’s numbers were put up before Jim Hiller was replaced as head coach, so there is a chance that things could improve under interim bench boss D.J. Smith. With Los Angeles having the worst offense out of the 16 playoff teams, any potential upgrade should be a welcome one as they enter the postseason as a heavy underdog against the Avalanche.
I’m interested in seeing where he slots in now. The lines have just started finally coming together and forging an identity. No doubt they’re lacking offense, though, so he should help there (maybe, hopefully?)
DJ will probably reunite him on the KKK line…Kuzmenko/Kopitar/Kempe
Probably should call it the AK line, although I’m certain some will still find offense in that
Hey we’re gonna need as much help as we can, especially in the power play against the best defending PP in the league. [cautiously optimistic]