Canucks get Zack Kassian

[rats19]

Theres the dig....lol. if you think that a deep run with cody on board and perhaps a stellar performance..this would Increase bartering fodder..no?
Thus padding the leather upon he sits.

[Arachnid]

Meant from cody/winter standpoint, not the team.

...yeah, you Albertans never make sense to me anyway.

[Arachnid]

Theres the dig....lol. if you think that a deep run with cody on board and perhaps a stellar performance..this would Increase bartering fodder..no?
Thus padding the leather upon he sits.

Yeah but what if he choked? If he never gets another point in his ''rookie year'? He was hot (and now he's not) and everyone was taking notice of his great year...the time was ripe Rats...

...and don't take no abuse from the bully Donnie, he's just jealous because you pay no taxes

[rats19]

I agree ripeness was ours.....but greed (winters) sometimes casts a blind eye to logic

Taxes schmaxes..lmfao

[Tciso]

Everything I have heard out this kid's mouth impresses me. He sounds like a very respectful kid and a gentle giant off the ice. He comes across as a real humble guy and extremely excited and eager to be on a contender and a Canadian team.

A friend of mine from Michigan saw him in a bar a few weeks/months ago...my friend was wearing a Sabres shirt and Kassian came up to him:
ZK: "hey, you like the Sabres, huh?"
Friend: "yeah, they're my favorite team"
ZK: "do you know who i am?"
Friend: "Of course. You're Zack Kassian. Can I get a picture?"
ZK: "we're in a bar, i'm 20...probably not. but thanks for being a fan"

Just thought I'd add some weight to your presumption.

ZK just turned 21, so there goes my theory that he wanted a trade to Canada so he could drink after home games

[Fred]

FRankly Kassian is the prized player on one hand but a trend by MG on the other. Gillis has accepted the position that officiating is not only different in the play-offs but is starting to slide in the regular season to boot. GMMG is starting to look for more size. Hodgson is never going to be a threat to work the boards or the corner as good as he is or pull away from a clutch.

Jensen fits the same vision plus he has taken a number of bigger players in the later rounds and FA (Archibald ) in hope he can find maybe one or two more big wingers who can play.

In maybe 2-3 years he'll have re tooled this roster

[tantalum]

I think what the officials are letting go is certainly a part of it but ultimately, big players that have speed and skill can play ANY type of game.


Anyone read Friedman's 30 thoughts this week? http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2012/03/grabovskis-deal-fair-for-both-sides-30-thoughts.html

2. Spent a lot of time over the past six days researching the Cody Hodgson/Zack Kassian deal. (As mentioned in last week's blog, have a "man-crush" on Hodgson's game.) It's tough to know the exact truth, because so many of the particulars didn't want to talk about it. Here's some of what's out there: First, there was some surprise the Canucks did it, as opponents figured they were going to make Hodgson the centrepiece of a "bigger" deal. (You're going to ask what that means. Can't give you any specifics, other than to say it would probably be for whatever Vancouver decided it needed after the season.)

etc etc etc

6. Vancouver "targeted" a few clubs that had the kind of player it wanted in exchange. Obviously, Buffalo was one (and Kassian was very high on the list). I believe the others were Carolina, Washington, Florida and one more I can't nail down. Don't know what the Canucks wanted from the Hurricanes. But, almost certain they asked for Brandon Sutter (can't see it, GM Jim Rutherford loves him) and an educated guess is the wanted Capital was young defenceman John Carlson.

I would imagine the SUtter one would have had something in addition to Hodgson added as like Rutherford, I really like Sutter as a player. Carlson would certainly have been a good target....22 year old, 6' 3" 215lb right handed, right side D-man. If true the Caps rightfully said no to that swap IMO. I thinking the canucks would have been interested in Kulikov from the Panthers.

[Island Nucklehead]

I would imagine the SUtter one would have had something in addition to Hodgson added as like Rutherford, I really like Sutter as a player. Carlson would certainly have been a good target....22 year old, 6' 3" 215lb right handed, right side D-man. If true the Caps rightfully said no to that swap IMO. I thinking the canucks would have been interested in Kulikov from the Panthers.

Carlson would've been a beauty, and I thought Gillis might be targeting the Caps with a Schneider deal (he still may )

At first I was pissed and confused at the Hodgson trade. I've always liked Kassian. I just didn't see the requirement to take the risk. Scoring goals cost us the Finals last season, more so than size. Hodgson is going to be a beauty. Kassian could very well be the next Lucic or Bertuzzi. I think he has the mean streak to avoid being a Pyatt or Bernier. But young, talented Centres are generally harder to come by than young, mean, big wingers.

We'll have to reserve judgement on this for a few years. If the Canucks win the cup in that time, it will be worth it, if not... it could hurt a lot watching Hodgson develop as a Sabre.

[tantalum]

We'll have to reserve judgement on this for a few years. If the Canucks win the cup in that time, it will be worth it, if not... it could hurt a lot watching Hodgson develop as a Sabre.

Well the last couple of games it's been hurting Sabre fans watching him develop. With him on a second line his skating issues are really coming to the forefront. He has a lot of work to do on that part of his game. Given he's not the size of the twins he arguably has more work to do in that aspect then they ever did.

Carlson might be targetted in a Schneider trade. I can certainly see it.

[Island Nucklehead]

We'll have to reserve judgement on this for a few years. If the Canucks win the cup in that time, it will be worth it, if not... it could hurt a lot watching Hodgson develop as a Sabre.

Well the last couple of games it's been hurting Sabre fans watching him develop. With him on a second line his skating issues are really coming to the forefront. He has a lot of work to do on that part of his game. Given he's not the size of the twins he arguably has more work to do in that aspect then they ever did.

Carlson might be targetted in a Schneider trade. I can certainly see it.

Yeah, apparently he hasn't been performing well. But it's a couple games in. The Canucks were developing Hodgson the right way, sheltering his minutes, playing him sparingly, helping him succeed etc. The Sabres are going to throw this kid to the wolves. He's better than the Sedins were at this point in their development in terms of individual offensive skill. My thinking is that he'll figure it out sooner or later.

I think the biggest thing this trade shows is Gillis' balls. He's willing to move the Franchise's best prospects. Granted, Schneider is a different (and more proven) animal, but he's in a very similar position to Hodgson. He's stuck in a depth chart that's fairly filled at his position. I expect Gillis to move him after seeing what he did in the Hodgson deal.

[Fred]

Hodgson would have been great if he had come along in another couple of years time. He couldn't play wing or didn't want to but really lacked the speed to cover defensively ( the old adage for a centre was first out and first back ) If all the rumours are true his father requested move Kesler to the wing to make room for his son

I listened to Kelly Hrudey and he said basically the same he should have stayed shut his face...apprenticed under two of the best centres in the league and become a great player. Well he's given that up and wants instant gratification. Hrudey recalled the benefits he enjoyed working as a back up behind Billy Smith on and off the ice.

How Hodgson looked Schneider in the eye I don't know. Cory is the epitome of patience and frankly grateful for the training he's getting and had. I watched a clip of Bieska talking about the loyalty he feels for the Canucks for the opportunity and time and effort they gave him, as he said that's just the way i feel. You wonder if he was having a dig at Hodgson.

The Hodgson family just didn't get it, I can't find myself saying good luck Cody.

[Island Nucklehead]

Hodgon's an elite prospect. Kid's done a lot in his junior career and he put up with a lot of garbage, just and unjust, in Vancouver.

I'm not privy to any of the back-door dealings that may (or apparently did) go on, but from this guy's perspective the kid bode his time and was given his first legit chances this year and did alright.

He wanted more icetime, and if we're honest we'll admit that most of the city was clamoring for it too. Frankly, I can't blame the kid. He was performing and he deserved the chance to play more. If his old man bitched and moaned, that's unfortunate, but it wouldn't be the first time. Frankly, I would've been happy had Gillis taken the high road and just said "No, he didn't" ask for a trade. Avoid the distraction, move on.

It's all moot now. He's gone. There's no point wishing poorly on him, just hoping that Kassian sticks to his work ethic and becomes a mean motherfucker that puts up the points. He is most certainly what the Canucks lack and exactly the kind of player I wanted. So I won't complain about the deal (save to say my Brampton Battalion signed Hodgson jersey will have to get framed regardless), but selfishly I hope it doesn't blow up in our face.

I do like what Gillis has done making our team more "traditional". Hodgson was great as a third wave when Sedin or Kesler slowed down, however taking either one out of our lineup means we're fucked anyways. SP has the ability to play a true third line role, and hopefully he can do it.

Ultimately, in the roles assigned regarding the makeup of this team: Kassian + Sami > Hodgson.

[Strangelove]

If all the rumours are true his father requested move Kesler to the wing to make room for his son

I wouldn't put too much stock in that rumour - I STARTED IT!!

Wotever he's gone so I don't care, but I'll always be grateful to him for playing well enough to garner...

Zack Freakin Kassian!

Having said that I feel fairly confident in saying Hods eventually turns into a solid #2 centre.

If his back holds up.

Hmmm he's in Beantown tonight...

[Fred]

You must have a direct line to Kelly Hrudey he made mention of parent involvement. In fact he went on about the parents always wanting the best for their kids etc and said there a time a place but not in the NHL. It's a job you don't see parents marching down to see the Foreman or Manager where ever they maybe employed and asking for their children be promoted....so why hockey. He's been in the league for one year and has gone through 2 agents.

[Blob Mckenzie]

Hodgson has three points in his last 18 games. He is Pahlsson lite.