Russian lessons may be in the future for Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson.

The Swedish star is skating alongside new additions Andrei Kuzmenko and Illya Mikheyev at training camp in Whistler, B.C., this week, creating a line that Pettersson said could have a lot to offer.

B次元官网网址淚 think all three of us, we bring different aspects of the game,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淢ikheyev, heB次元官网网址檚 super fast, he opens up for us. And me and Kuzmenko are maybe kind of similar in the way we play.B次元官网网址�

Vancouver picked up Mikheyev on the free agent market in July, signing the former Toronto Maple Leaf to a four-year, US$19-million contract.

The 27-year-old right-winger had 32 points in 53 games for the Leafs last season, then added two goals and two assists in seven playoff appearances.

Kuzmenko, 26, comes to the Canucks from the KHL on a one-year, entry-level deal. The five-foot-11, 194-pound forward produced 52 points and 10 penalty minutes in 45 games with St. Petersburg SKA last season.

The duo are familiar with one another, having played B次元官网网址渁 couple of shiftsB次元官网网址� together on the Russian national team four or five years ago, Mikheyev said.

B次元官网网址淥ne good thing, we can speak the same language and I can help him understand when guys tell him something,B次元官网网址� he said.

Both new additions are B次元官网网址減retty skilledB次元官网网址� and stood out on the first day of training camp on Thursday, said Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau.

B次元官网网址淵ou could see the skill in them, you could see the release in the shot,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want to make too many comparisons at all, but KuzmenkoB次元官网网址檚 release is a lot like (Alex OvechkinB次元官网网址檚) release, looking at both of them off the left side.

B次元官网网址淚 think they played with energy. And you could tell that they werenB次元官网网址檛 just out here, they wanted to make a good impression. I think they did.B次元官网网址�

It wonB次元官网网址檛 be long before fans are captivated not only by KuzmenkoB次元官网网址檚 play, but by his personality, too, Boudreau added.

B次元官网网址淚 said the first day I saw him, B次元官网网址業f this guyB次元官网网址檚 as good as advertised, heB次元官网网址檚 going to take the city by storm,B次元官网网址� he said.

Vancouver has made an impression on Kuzmenko, too. HeB次元官网网址檚 been in the city for several weeks, skating with his new teammates, exploring the city, and taking in concerts and a Vancouver Whitecaps soccer game.

B次元官网网址淰ancouver is a beautiful city for me. I like the place, the mountains, the ocean, the forest. I like it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址�

Kuzmenko is looking forward to seeing how his game translates to the NHLB次元官网网址檚 smaller ice, saying he likes to play in tight spaces.

Asked whether he could be even more successful on the smaller surface, the charismatic forward grinned.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l see,B次元官网网址� he said.

Pulling on a Canucks jersey has been somewhat surreal for one of the teamB次元官网网址檚 other off-season acquisitions.

Growing up in Salmon Arm, B.C., Vancouver was the team Curtis Lazar cheered for. Signing with his hometown club as a free agent in July was a natural fit, the 27-year-old forward said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 incredible. It still hasnB次元官网网址檛 really sunk in,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd youB次元官网网址檝e seen all the development staff, too, the former players. I mean, I grew up watching those guys, and now theyB次元官网网址檙e coaching me or whatnot. So itB次元官网网址檚 pretty cool.B次元官网网址�

Lazar comes to the Canucks on a one-year, $1-million deal after tallying 16 points and 16 penalty minutes for the Boston Bruins last season.

Originally picked 17th overall by Ottawa in the 2013 NHL entry draft, the six-foot, 203-pound forward has played for the Bruins, Senators, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres over eight seasons in the league.

At training camp, heB次元官网网址檚 skating on a line with fellow new addition Dakota Joshua and depth centre Jason Dickenson.

B次元官网网址�(LazarB次元官网网址檚) got the experience, heB次元官网网址檚 aggressive, heB次元官网网址檚 played on winners,B次元官网网址� Boudreau said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 an NHL hockey player and you give him a shot at scoring, heB次元官网网址檚 going to score. HeB次元官网网址檚 going to kill penalties, heB次元官网网址檚 going to bring a lot to this team.B次元官网网址�

Being able to have an on-ice impact for your favourite team is a special opportunity, Lazar said.

And he sees big things for a Canucks team that finished last season five points out of a playoff spot with a 40-30-12 record.

B次元官网网址淣ine years in the league, this is the most skill and speed IB次元官网网址檝e seen on a team,B次元官网网址� Lazar said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a matter of us putting it together, playing hard collectively, and weB次元官网网址檒l be all right.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擥emma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press