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[Signing] Canucks sign Andrei Kuzmenko


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I'm trying to temper my expectations with this signing.  I've seen too many high profile European free agents sign in the NHL and struggle only to be back overseas in a few years. Obviously hope this isn't the case but I'm not getting too far head of myself until I see him play some games for us. The very fact Vancouver attracted such a high profile FA is a win, and hopefully more coveted payers will follow knowing what they are trying to build here. 

 

 

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11 hours ago, Pure961089 said:

If our competent management (unlike our previous) can solve the Ferland mystery and we can trade Pearson and Dickinson that would free up $9.5 million.   The Canucks need that money 

If management pulls that off this summer, I'll staple my scrotum to my leg and send you all a picture as proof. This would be done out of joy of course, not angst. 

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13 minutes ago, ShawnAntoski said:

Valid points and NJ would be my preferred trade partner but Philly with the hiring of Torts will be very aggressive to acquire a main piece.  Multiple premium picks from them would be a good starting point cause with Torts it either works or not and that means there chance, of bottoming out is really high 

Plus Carter Hart has rea;;y struggled to find his game since his impressive rookie season

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18 minutes ago, KirkSave said:

Plus Carter Hart has rea;;y struggled to find his game since his impressive rookie season

Hart and Farabee are two of the biggest reasons their season wasn't worst. Hart did just fine last year... The team in front of him however...

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1 hour ago, CanucksJay said:

Anyone know why he wasn't drafted? I heard he's a late bloomer but was he on anyone's radar during his draft year? 

There was significant interest from the NHL back in 2018, but he elected to sign a 4 year deal in Russia instead. Feels like NHL teams are more weary to draft Russian players unless they have a good feeling they will come to North America to play or they are too talented to pass up on - kinda how Podkolzin fell to us. Kuz was a bit of a late bloomer as well. 

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Just now, -Vintage Canuck- said:

 

Really happy for Podkolzin actually. Him coming here as a kid, basically, learning the language and no other Russians on the team. This is great for him and I think he'll have a breakout season. Also a nice transition for Kuzmenko, coming to a new city/country and team, but at least he knows Podkolzin, and he gets to play for Boudreau. 

 

Happy players = success. 

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48 minutes ago, JM_ said:

I'm hoping it makes other Russian UFAs take a second look at being here. I'd love to add Zadorov and maybe Mikheyev if the price isn't too high. 

If we can actually bring some of these solid complimentary guys in while making the appropriate moves to clear cap, add a 3C, get faster, shore up the RD etc. I'm excited for the team next year... Even with the likely Miller move.

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2 hours ago, JM_ said:

thats where it goes off the rails a bit for me - how long would it take for Nemec or Jiricek to be regular contributors, or another F if those two are gone by 5? d men take longer to mature so 5th oa seems to me to better fit a rebuild than a plan to stay competitive. 

You gotta cover every angle future and now when you're building a team. Not addressing our most glaring weakness when the solution is dropped in your lap would be a giant mistake regardless of the redo plan for this middling team . They could be contributing this year or next ideally. They say Jiricek is ready to play as early as this year. Either way even if its 2 years who cares if it addresses our #1 RD for the next 10 years.

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33 minutes ago, JM_ said:

I'm hoping it makes other Russian UFAs take a second look at being here. I'd love to add Zadorov and maybe Mikheyev if the price isn't too high. 

It depends if we dump all the other worthless 2-3m guys on this team.. 

 

All we have done for years is make those types of signings. We need to go after the bigger fish to help the stars out. Huggy and OEL need defensive rhd guys

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5 minutes ago, Mustard Tiger said:

It depends if we dump all the other worthless 2-3m guys on this team.. 

 

All we have done for years is make those types of signings. We need to go after the bigger fish to help the stars out. Huggy and OEL need defensive rhd guys

JR has pretty much stated that Benning left a mess, especially with the cap.  Benning gave up our top 10 pick last draft to get rid of three of those mistakes.  I hope JR is smarter and tries other ways to move out bad money.  

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1 hour ago, JM_ said:

I'm hoping it makes other Russian UFAs take a second look at being here. I'd love to add Zadorov and maybe Mikheyev if the price isn't too high. 

Zadorov is a LD, I'd rather be spending that money on a RD, despite liking him.

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27 minutes ago, Mustard Tiger said:

It depends if we dump all the other worthless 2-3m guys on this team.. 

 

All we have done for years is make those types of signings. We need to go after the bigger fish to help the stars out. Huggy and OEL need defensive rhd guys

Yah, dump all those guys except Pearson.  Pearson is such a great bang for his buck, but get the replacement level players making that much out of here.

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1 minute ago, NucknAsia said:

Zadorov is a LD, I'd rather be spending that money on a RD, despite liking him.

Zadorov is a left shot, but he plays the right side.  But he's not a guy who can play against top players very well.  He is really slow and thinks slow too.  I don't think JR would be after him.   

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58 minutes ago, JM_ said:

I'm hoping it makes other Russian UFAs take a second look at being here. I'd love to add Zadorov and maybe Mikheyev if the price isn't too high. 

Maybe they could also look at Niko Ojamäki?
 

He terminated his contract with his KHL team and last I checked, he remains a free agent for next season, after leading the KHL in goalscoring (29 goals in 48 GP) for 2021-22 and setting a record for the most KHL goals scored in a single season by a Finnish player. Just turned 27 years old.

 

RH shot RW, with a really solid two-way game. Before exploding for the best offensive season of his career, he actually made a living as more of a two-way player and PK guy, bringing solid defence, and chipping in some decent secondary scoring. Owns a powerful shot and seemed to finally figure out how to make the most of it, in the men’s game, last season.

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No way we land this guy in the previous management regime. We would’ve given him $100 worth of chips at Parq casino and treat him Benning’s bread and butter  go to meal. Would have offered dessert but “you know” “just ran out of time” 

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