December 9, 2023 | 9:00pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

CANUCKS TAKING CALLS ON KUZMENKO

Andrei Kuzmenko, forward

The Vancouver Canucks have started to attract inquiries from teams asking about the availability of forward Andrei Kuzmenko.

Kuzmenko has seen his ice time gradually drop recently and was scratched for two games in late November, prompting teams to call the Canucks about his services.

During “Saturday Headlines” on Hockey Night in Canada this evening, Elliotte Friedman reported the news and indicated that Kuzmenko is certainly being discussed.

“There are some conversations around him,” Friedman said on HNIC. “Other teams have called Vancouver saying, ‘what are you willing to do here.’ They know the Canucks are always willing to clear cap room, so we’ll see how that develops over time.”

Kuzmenko, 27, is in the first year of a two-year, $11 million contract. He has been paid out of $2 million bonus earlier this year and is making $3.5 million in actual salary this season. He also owns a 12-team no-trade list as part of his contract and does have some say in where he could end up.

“There is no question that teams are asking Vancouver what their plans are with this particular player,” Friedman said.

The Canucks are still looking to free up some salary cap space and could move out Kuzmenko and his $5.5 million cap hit if the right deal presented itself.

While Kuzmenko has tallied four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 24 games with the Canucks so far this season, he has been dropped down to the fourth line.