Rumsfeld wrote:Hockey Widow wrote:YA this year AV should have left Kassian with the twins for the whole season. One of AV's problems is he doesn't have a long fuse with certain players. They get a limited chance and then thats it. I mean look at JS. He, Raymond and Hansen had a good thing going but a few poor games and the liens got mixed and JS got sent to the farm. Now Roy is a winger and we have Ebbett. At some point you have to trust these kids and let them play meaningful minutes in a chance to succeed. Not all at once but this year would have been the perfect year to let Kassian have a long run with the twins.
I think playing Kassian for certain shifts with the Sedins is a good option, but I hardly think AV should be criticized for choosing a proven clutch scorer and performer over a kid who has, quite frankly, shown very little of the skill and nastiness that we know he's capable of this season.
It will come sooner or later for Kassian, but he's not first-line material right now. We're not the fucking Panthers (as much as Bikerwhore wishes we were

).
I think Kassian's ceiling is as an effective 2nd line power-winger. Eager to see what he can bring in these playoffs with the leash off.
Normally I'd agree with that, but in Kassian's case I don't.
The kid showed up, played big and tough, went to the net, cycled with the twins well, got open, and actually made life easier for them after the whistle. He had 5 goals in 7 games and was actually carrying the line to a degree. Vigneault switched it up because he felt Burrows could get the Sedins going and producing rather than just having Kassian producing alone on that line. (I know.....it makes no sense since if one line member is producing, by default that line is producing). He moved Kassian down and Burrows up. Kassian wasn't the same after. Every time the kid seems to find an iota of chemistry and confidence with a couple of linemates, Vigneault juggles things up and moves him up or down the roster. Hodgson didn't settle in and start producing until he was sheltered and given regular minutes with the same linemates.
I have noticed a resurgence in Kassian's play the last few games when he has been getting a somewhat semi-regular shift with the Sedins.
I don't think Kassian should have been taken off of the line with the Sedins until he had quit producing.
It was right around the time Kesler returned to the lineup that Kassian was moved off the top line.
Another thing about AV and favorites.....Kassian is 1/3 in the shootout this year. His first attempt was on Kiprusoff and he made Calgary's All-Star goalie look like a beer league backup. He then missed on two attempts, both . He hasn't had a chance since. Edler is 0 for 4 and hasn't looked even good on any of them. What gives?
I'm not disagreeing with you about Kassian's ceiling though. You could be right.