Canucks get Zack Kassian

[TDA Rum]

I think they were targeting Eric Gudbranson more so than Kulikov as he fits what there needs is more...only my opinion..

[tantalum]

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.

Problem was that he actually wasn't performing. He was slumping and getting outplayed by the opposition night in and night out. Now I'm not slamming the kid but he really wasn't deserving at that time (perhaps January he was). Just the truth. ANd really I can blame him if the request was made (and it seems like it was). He is a rookie the team was developing, not a veteran getting reduced icetime for no reason. Even if it was for one meeting he went the "me" route. It wasn't the time for that.

But he's gone. I wish him and the Sabres well.

^^^forgot about Gulbrandson

[Arachnid]

Poor Cody was -1 and no points in B-town tonight in a loss

Not that' I'm keeping tabs on the trade

[jkibler]

Poor Cody was -1 and no points in B-town tonight in a loss

Not that' I'm keeping tabs on the trade

so how did Kassian do last night!!!!! lol
how much ice time? how many hits??

LOL

[tantalum]

Poor Cody was -1 and no points in B-town tonight in a loss

Not that' I'm keeping tabs on the trade

so how did Kassian do last night!!!!! lol
how much ice time? how many hits??

LOL

Kassian 2 points in 5 games and far bigger contributor than 0 point Hodgson has been in 6 games. Both are young. Both have a lot of learning to do. But it's not even a question right now who has played better overall since the trade.

[Arachnid]

Poor Cody was -1 and no points in B-town tonight in a loss

Not that' I'm keeping tabs on the trade

so how did Kassian do last night!!!!! lol
how much ice time? how many hits??

LOL

We won, you lost, we are in the playoffs, you are not, you live in Buttalope, Zack does not...

[jkibler]

Poor Cody was -1 and no points in B-town tonight in a loss

Not that' I'm keeping tabs on the trade

so how did Kassian do last night!!!!! lol
how much ice time? how many hits??

LOL

Kassian 2 points in 5 games and far bigger contributor than 0 point Hodgson has been in 6 games. Both are young. Both have a lot of learning to do. But it's not even a question right now who has played better overall since the trade.

and it has NOTHING to do with the quality of the team??? you wanted Kassian for toughness, how many fights has he turned down now?? They questioned his heart in Rochester, and he is showing you all why

[jkibler]

Poor Cody was -1 and no points in B-town tonight in a loss

Not that' I'm keeping tabs on the trade

so how did Kassian do last night!!!!! lol
how much ice time? how many hits??

LOL

We won, you lost, we are in the playoffs, you are not, you live in Buttalope, Zack does not...

WE live in the United States! you live in Canada!! enough said!

[rats19]

What's the point....

[wafflecombine]

I was leaning polio vaccine and the fact our banks didn't actively try to destroy our economy.

BTW... I'm still waiting for those WMD's you promised us in Iraq. I know you boys kept reciepts....

[tantalum]

and it has NOTHING to do with the quality of the team??? you wanted Kassian for toughness, how many fights has he turned down now?? They questioned his heart in Rochester, and he is showing you all why

They didn't get Kassian for fighting. You get a goon for fighting. You get a 13th overall pick at a PPG in the AHL as rookie for skill and his style of play. Perhaps this was the issue in buffalo and Rochester...they wanted to develop a clearly skilled power forward player as a grinding goon. There is no way Kassian should be fighting a Bissonette unless Bissonette has run a player.

Cody wasn't scoring when he left...on the this same quality of team. Cody is also getting more quality icetime right now on the Sabres. And not scoring.

The only "they" I have heard questioning his heart are fans doing the typical run down the old guy and build up the new guy.

Both are young players. It isn't heart that leads to inconsistencies it's being young. You don't think Hodgson was somehow a completely consistent player in vancouver do you? He wasn't. Both teams got what they want in the deal. Early on only one of the players has truly contributed to the team. That may certainly change but Kassian's 3 strong games are more than acceptable at this point.

[clem]

Kassian has shown us less energy the last couple games. The novelty and adrenalin are wearing off.

In the 3rd period of the Winnipeg game, Kassian assumed Hodgson's old defensive position - on the bench.

Kassian could benefit from a more consistent / simpler role as he settles in.

[Hockey Widow]

Kassian has shown us less energy the last couple games. The novelty and adrenalin are wearing off.

In the 3rd period of the Winnipeg game, Kassian assumed Hodgson's old defensive position - on the bench.

Kassian could benefit from a more consistent / simpler role as he settles in.

Agree 100%. His conditioning isn't up to where he can keep up with this line up. It amazes me the number of players we have picked up from other teams are simply not up to the level of conditioning on the Canucks. That speaks volumes about other teams.

The best thing for Kassian is to do what he can to improve his conditioning for the playoffs and to keep learning the system. The best spot for him right now, and one I would be happy to see him play the rest of the season is on the 4th line. He can use his energy and not have as much pressure to gets points. But it is noticeable that in third periods he seems gassed and gets a little lazy and often out of position.

Most felt he would not be a significant short term contributor to the line up. So keeping it simple while he works on the defensive part of his game and conditioning will be key to managing him going forward.

AS to fighting, there hasn't been a reason for him to fight since he has been on the team. I'm sure he has been told that. Just as the Canucks reigned in Lappy I am sure they have spoken to Kassian about playing whistle to whistle and picking his spots. If it was a goon we wanted we certainly would not have traded Cody for one.

From an offensive point of view I doubt you will find anyone who seriously thinks that over the course of their respective careers Kassian will out produce Hodgson.

[mathonwy]

Kassian could benefit from a week long boot camp at any number of the UFC training facilities.

If the guy can implement a training program like David Booth, the sky is absolutely the limit. With his large frame and high hockey acumen, he would be a fucking beast to handle along the boards. We've already seen how difficult it is for the opposition to handle David Booth at 6'0, 212lb. 6'4, 225lb of 2% body fat Zackian would be a sight to see.

Of course, that doesn't exactly help us now which is why I'm still confused why this deal had to be done at the trade deadline versus the summer.

[rats19]

Codys value was at a high point with no guarantee of it getting higher before summer