Andrei Kuzmenko Brings Speed, Creativity to the LA Kings
The Los Angeles Kings lacked speed and offensive creativity. On trade deadline day, General Manager Rob Blake found both in one player.
He traded a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Andrei Kuzmenko.
Kuzmenko has been part of three organizations since his NHL rookie year in 2022-23. Beginning with the Vancouver Canucks, he was traded to the Calgary Flames then the Flyers.
He went undrafted before signing with the Canucks.
Kuzmenko brings a different energy to the Kings’ lineup.
He has been placed on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe and does not look out of place.
While he has zero points in three games, he has given the top line more speed, a different offensive look, and a right-handed shot that supplies them with a new dimension.
At 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds, he is not the biggest player on the roster, but he is effective in all three zones. He can create offense and disrupt the opposition’s play in the neutral and defensive zones. He is also one step ahead of the play, which gets him into prime scoring areas.
While not elite in production, a player of his skill set does not become available often. He is a good two-way player who can be a valuable piece for the foreseeable future.
At 29 years old, he is not a player to build around, but he can be a vital piece heading down the stretch into the playoffs.
While trade deadline day was relatively quiet for the Kings, the Kuzmenko addition was something they needed in the lineup. Blake knew the trade deadline may have been his best as general manager.
The question remains: Did he do enough to save his job? Should he have done more?
The Kings still needed pieces, and plenty could be had, but at a hefty price. A lot depends on how Los Angeles finishes the season, but that could be determined by the roster itself. He could be out of a job in a few short months.
The Kings are in a wild playoff race for third place. They sit behind the Edmonton Oilers and division leaders, the Vegas Golden Knights, in the Pacific Division. The Kings only play Edmonton on April 14th, and that will be the only game remaining on the schedule against either Vegas or Edmonton.
Los Angeles has time left to catch Vegas, but they have to start putting wins together and quickly.
PHOTO: Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images
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Categorized:Kings