Also regarding Kuzmenko, I was very enthused about his first game with the kings, although his second and third game have started to diminish my enthusiasm. I think he is probably at his best when he receives a slick pass and makes a quick move to the net or pull and drag wrist shot for a goal. I would suspect that’s how he scored 39, riding shotgun with Elias in Vancouver his first season.
Much like Kevin Fiala, who is at his best when he receives the puck and makes a nifty move to the net, or his patented pull and drag wrist shot to the top corner. He is at his worst when he tries something creative like an East West play to feed a teammate, which typically ends in a disastrous turnover and prime scoring opportunity for the opposition.
Summation, I don’t think either of these two players should be carrying and distributing the puck in danger areas like the neutral zone or at the opposition blue line. Absolutely no cute east west bullshit plays, especially on a backhand. I want them down low deftly sweeping up trash onto goal, or ripping off pull drag wrist shots after direct feeds from Kempe, Kopitar, Clarke, etc.
