Kassian Working His Way Back

[BillHoppe]

Read about Zack Kassian!

[inkman]

I hope they re-open negotiations soon. I desperately want him on the Sabres.

[static70]

Read about Zack Kassian!

Hey Bill,

 

Is there any chance at all that Kassian makes the big club this season, even on line 3 or 4 or is he headed for Portland?

 

Thanks,

Static

[Robviously]

Hey Bill,

 

Is there any chance at all that Kassian makes the big club this season, even on line 3 or 4 or is he headed for Portland?

 

Thanks,

Static

Portland isn't an option since he's 19 years old. He's either playing with the Sabres this year or he's back in Juniors.

 

I don't think he has anything left to prove or learn in the CHL, but then again I don't want him learning how to be an NHL player from Connolly and Roy either.

[carpandean]

I don't think he has anything left to prove or learn in the CHL, but then again I don't want him learning how to be an NHL player from Connolly and Roy either.

Maybe he, Ennis and Myers can show them how to be NHL players like the latter two did this past post-season.

[static70]

Portland isn't an option since he's 19 years old. He's either playing with the Sabres this year or he's back in Juniors.

 

I don't think he has anything left to prove or learn in the CHL, but then again I don't want him learning how to be an NHL player from Connolly and Roy either.

Thanks SilverNRed, I thought he was 20. Ok then, a three peat in Windsor? Wow, seems like a waste of talent. I would like to see him in the NHL then and continue to learn at a higher level, is this wrong?

[ROC Sabres]

Portland isn't an option since he's 19 years old. He's either playing with the Sabres this year or he's back in Juniors.

 

I don't think he has anything left to prove or learn in the CHL, but then again I don't want him learning how to be an NHL player from Connolly and Roy either.

I don't think he will be learning from either of them. He will be molded into a type of player that we haven't seen in a while if you ask me. A winger that can score, be physical in the crease and will f*ck you up in any given situations. I can't name a player on the current team that would fit that bill. It's like having a Kaleta that will drop them anytime you ask and net more points(hopefully). Why wouldn't you want him?

[BillHoppe]

You're right about the minors thing. I forgot about his birthday. We went through that with Myers last year. Assuming he signs, I think he'd get a good chance. They need players like him. They said he had an NHL-ready body LAST YEAR. He's probably outgrown the OHL. Of course, the Sabres want to put him in a position to succeed. I doubt they want him playing four minutes on the fourth line, especially when they're burning a year of a contract. Maybe he gets a look.

[static70]

You're right about the minors thing. I forgot about his birthday. We went through that with Myers last year. Assuming he signs, I think he'd get a good chance. They need players like him. They said he had an NHL-ready body LAST YEAR. He's probably outgrown the OHL. Of course, the Sabres want to put him in a position to succeed. I doubt they want him playing four minutes on the fourth line, especially when they're burning a year of a contract. Maybe he gets a look.

Thanks Bill, and thanks again for supporting both the fans and the team. Tough to support them with out a move, but, alas, patience is something the younger fans can contend with, after 40 years, its just plain tough. But, I'm a WNY born and bred sports fan, and I do love hockey.

 

Once again, thanks.

[weehawk]

Unless there is some other *major* move, they had better get him on the team ASAP. He has the potential to be another Tyler Myers. I'd love to see other teams be afraid to play us again (it's been awhile). Darcy let all the other top FAs go. Put him in the lineup. It certainly wont hurt anything.

[BillHoppe]

Even if his scoring touch doesn't develop quickly, he'd probably be very valuable as a pain in the ######.

[spndnchz]

Even if his scoring touch doesn't develop quickly, he'd probably be very valuable as a pain in the ######.

 

sans Kaleta.

[Bullwinkle]

Even if his scoring touch doesn't develop quickly, he'd probably be very valuable as a pain in the ######.

 

I think you guys are dreaming. This is the only statement I agree with, he will be a PITA. But we don't need a Sean Avery...although I'm sure many of you will think so.

[shrader]

I don't think he will be learning from either of them. He will be molded into a type of player that we haven't seen in a while if you ask me. A winger that can score, be physical in the crease and will f*ck you up in any given situations. I can't name a player on the current team that would fit that bill. It's like having a Kaleta that will drop them anytime you ask and net more points(hopefully). Why wouldn't you want him?

 

What has he done so far to suggest that he can score?

[spndnchz]

I think you guys are dreaming. This is the only statement I agree with, he will be a PITA. But we don't need a Sean Avery...although I'm sure many of you will think so.

 

He's going to protest naked against the killing of animals for perfumes? Oh wait that's PETA.

 

Nevermind.

[nfreeman]

What has he done so far to suggest that he can score?

Pretty good scoring stats for a good junior team this year.

[BillHoppe]

Pretty good scoring stats for a good junior team this year.

 

24 goals and 63 points in his last full season

[Robviously]

I think you guys are dreaming. This is the only statement I agree with, he will be a PITA. But we don't need a Sean Avery...although I'm sure many of you will think so.

Avery's problem is that he runs his mouth and makes an ###### of himself both on and off the ice. A few years back he was getting in trouble for waving his stick in his face to distract him while the Rangers were on the powerplay (not technically a penalty, but idiotic and not how you play the game).

 

That's not Kassian's game. He's extremely tough and aggressive, and clearly it gets the better of him when he throws dirty hits or gets arrested for fighting. He's just a dumb teenager who needs to grow up. Comparing him to Avery is way off.

[SwampD]

My feeling is that Zack will be a Sabre next year.

[shrader]

Pretty good scoring stats for a good junior team this year.

 

His number this year were awful. Like Bill mentioned, his solid numbers were last year. The thing is, those leagues are full of guys who put up numbers like that but never took it to the next level, so one season doesn't mean all that much. The suspension obviously hurt this year, but even then, the drop off is pretty sharp.

[Robviously]

His number this year were awful. Like Bill mentioned, his solid numbers were last year. The thing is, those leagues are full of guys who put up numbers like that but never took it to the next level, so one season doesn't mean all that much. The suspension obviously hurt this year, but even then, the drop off is pretty sharp.

Awful?

 

2008-2009: 63 points in 61 games.

2009-2010: 31 points in 38 games.

2009-2010 playoffs: 16 points in 19 games.

 

So his points per game dropped off, but he missed a ton of time and changed teams. That's not "awful", especially when you consider that he played well in the playoffs.

 

Plus the more important thing is if they think his game will translate to the next level. Like you said, Juniors are full of players who can put up good numbers but won't be able to play at a higher level.

[nfreeman]

His number this year were awful. Like Bill mentioned, his solid numbers were last year. The thing is, those leagues are full of guys who put up numbers like that but never took it to the next level, so one season doesn't mean all that much. The suspension obviously hurt this year, but even then, the drop off is pretty sharp.

Awful?

 

2008-2009: 63 points in 61 games.

2009-2010: 31 points in 38 games.

2009-2010 playoffs: 16 points in 19 games.

 

So his points per game dropped off, but he missed a ton of time and changed teams. That's not "awful", especially when you consider that he played well in the playoffs.

 

Plus the more important thing is if they think his game will translate to the next level. Like you said, Juniors are full of players who can put up good numbers but won't be able to play at a higher level.

Nicely done, SNR. It's not often that Shrader gets pwned like this.

[tom webster]

Nicely done, SNR. It's not often that Shrader gets pwned like this.

 

 

Actually those are pretty bad numbers at the junior level. Rob Ray was a sniper in Juniors.

[FogBat]

Actually those are pretty bad numbers at the junior level. Rob Ray was a sniper in Juniors.

And then he became a fighter in the majors.

[shrader]

Actually those are pretty bad numbers at the junior level. Rob Ray was a sniper in Juniors.

 

You also usually see a steady increase from year to year with these guys. That wasn't there with Kassian. Yes, the suspension played a role, but his numbers were down prior to it. I may have misread the original post I replied to, but I read it as a comment about goal scoring, which was also down this past year.

 

As for his production in the playoffs, I'm not so sure I want to read much into that. Windsor was beyond stacked. I almost think I could've scored 3 goals on that team.