Kassian called up

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

Whyyyyyyyy? Whyyyyyyy? whyyyyyyyy?

This may be the greatest post and response I've ever seen. :clapping:

[LabattBlue]

For those expecting "badass" Kassian...

 

We have had Amerks fans say this, I have seen it during the few Amerks games I have seen on TV, and this Amerks beat reporter says the same thing. Kassian hasn't been very physical during the first 1/4 of the season. Not hitting much & 1 fight.

 

http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/kevino/?p=1538

 

So that leads to the question...what happened to the "badass" part of his game?

 

1. Has Lindy/Darcy told him to tone it down and learn to play the game?

 

2. Is the word coming from his agent/advisors that the way to the $$$ NHL contracts is as an offensive force(forget hitting and fighting , and focus on scoring)?

 

3. Maybe he realizes that all of a sudden, he can't dominate form a physical standpoint in the AHL/NHL the same way he could push around and tangle with 16-18 year old players who are no match for him physically?

 

 

My 2 cents...I don't want Kassian to become the next Tie Domi, but I do want him to eventually become someone who can play in the top 6, play with a physical edge more often than not, and drop the gloves just enough to make opposing players know, not to F*** around with him or any of his linemates.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

For those expecting "badass" Kassian...

 

We have had Amerks fans say this, I have seen it during the few Amerks games I have seen on TV, and this Amerks beat reporter says the same thing. Kassian hasn't been very physical during the first 1/4 of the season. Not hitting much & 1 fight.

 

http://blogs.democra.../kevino/?p=1538

 

So that leads to the question...what happened to the "badass" part of his game?

 

1. Has Lindy/Darcy told him to tone it down and learn to play the game?

 

2. Is the word coming from his agent/advisors that the way to the $$$ NHL contracts is as an offensive force(forget hitting and fighting , and focus on scoring)?

 

3. Maybe he realizes that all of a sudden, he can't dominate form a physical standpoint in the AHL/NHL the same way he could push around and tangle with 16-18 year old players who are no match for him physically?

 

 

My 2 cents...I don't want Kassian to become the next Tie Domi, but I do want him to eventually become someone who can play in the top 6, play with a physical edge more often than not, and drop the gloves just enough to make opposing players know, not to F*** around with him or any of his linemates.

 

Or teammates ...

 

Something along the lines of our own Milan Lucic, or there abouts?????

[Sherman]

I heard Zack Kassian once fought Milan Lucic in juniors and totally kicked the crap out of him. Also, he used to play on a line centered by Nathan Gerbe.

I heard that too. I looked for it on Youtube and found Matt Kassian vs Milan Lucic. Don't know if there is any relation but the fight was pretty much even.

[apuszczalowski]

For those expecting "badass" Kassian...

 

We have had Amerks fans say this, I have seen it during the few Amerks games I have seen on TV, and this Amerks beat reporter says the same thing. Kassian hasn't been very physical during the first 1/4 of the season. Not hitting much & 1 fight.

 

http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/kevino/?p=1538

 

So that leads to the question...what happened to the "badass" part of his game?

 

1. Has Lindy/Darcy told him to tone it down and learn to play the game?

 

2. Is the word coming from his agent/advisors that the way to the $$$ NHL contracts is as an offensive force(forget hitting and fighting , and focus on scoring)?

 

3. Maybe he realizes that all of a sudden, he can't dominate form a physical standpoint in the AHL/NHL the same way he could push around and tangle with 16-18 year old players who are no match for him physically?

 

 

My 2 cents...I don't want Kassian to become the next Tie Domi, but I do want him to eventually become someone who can play in the top 6, play with a physical edge more often than not, and drop the gloves just enough to make opposing players know, not to F*** around with him or any of his linemates.

I would prefer he spends his time in Rochester working in his game and becoming a better all around player instead of wasting time in the penalty box or on suspension for getting into fights and throwing hits around. We all know the kid is tough and he has shown it in the past. Lets see him become a good hockey player in the minors and then bring back some of his toughness to add to it later.

 

I have no problem with the Sabres not being as physical or tough as long as they are winning games and scoring. The best way for guys who aren't tough to go out and battle against teams that are physical is to be a dangerous threat to score all the time.

[darksabre]

I heard that too. I looked for it on Youtube and found Matt Kassian vs Milan Lucic. Don't know if there is any relation but the fight was pretty much even.

 

:wallbash:

[darksabre]

I would prefer he spends his time in Rochester working in his game and becoming a better all around player instead of wasting time in the penalty box or on suspension for getting into fights and throwing hits around. We all know the kid is tough and he has shown it in the past. Lets see him become a good hockey player in the minors and then bring back some of his toughness to add to it later.

 

I have no problem with the Sabres not being as physical or tough as long as they are winning games and scoring. The best way for guys who aren't tough to go out and battle against teams that are physical is to be a dangerous threat to score all the time.

 

The common issue with Kassian that has been a criticism since the draft is that his skating isn't NHL ready. Once his speed and skating gets better I expect the physicality to return. In the mean time, he simply can't play that kind of game.

[K-9]

I would prefer he spends his time in Rochester working in his game and becoming a better all around player instead of wasting time in the penalty box or on suspension for getting into fights and throwing hits around. We all know the kid is tough and he has shown it in the past. Lets see him become a good hockey player in the minors and then bring back some of his toughness to add to it later.

 

I have no problem with the Sabres not being as physical or tough as long as they are winning games and scoring. The best way for guys who aren't tough to go out and battle against teams that are physical is to be a dangerous threat to score all the time.

 

Agree 100%. This notion that Lindy and Co. have "coached" the toughness out of him makes no sense. Sabres staff is already fully aware that he can drop his gloves and go toe to toe with anyone. And that he's WILLING to do it. But that's not the aspect of his game that needs development. Like you said, he's only going to develop by staying out of the box and working on his game. So far, it appears he's taking to the coaching pretty well.

 

That said, it won't surprise me at all if he's tested by an NHL veteran very soon. And it won't surprise me at all to see Kassian dispel any doubts about where his toughness went. Than again, at 6'3", 228 lbs, more than a few NHL vets won't want to test him too much anyway.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[dudacek]

Those expecting Kassian to be Pat Kaleta in Milan Lucic's body will be disappointed. (Foligno might be that guy).

Kassian, to the best of my knowledge has never been a guy that runs around throwing multiple hits a game.

However, he is a guy that can blow somebody up every once in awhile.

And somebody who can beat somebody up every once in a while.

His best skill may actually be his passing, and he he has the intimidation quotient that buys him time to make some plays.

But he's often content to lumber along in the time and space he's given.

He can be a Lucic, with fewer goals and more assists.

But like Lucic there will be games you do not notice him.

He's a bear, not a wolverine.

And I cant help but think he will never match the unreasonable expectations many fans have for him.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Come'on! Why'd you delete that?

 

The bull went on to live a happy life as a two way player that followed the system.

[darksabre]

Those expecting Kassian to be Pat Kaleta in Milan Lucic's body will be disappointed. (Foligno might be that guy).

Kassian, to the best of my knowledge has never been a guy that runs around throwing multiple hits a game.

However, he is a guy that can blow somebody up every once in awhile.

And somebody who can beat somebody up every once in a while.

His best skill may actually be his passing, and he he has the intimidation quotient that buys him time to make some plays.

But he's often content to lumber along in the time and space he's given.

He can be a Lucic, with fewer goals and more assists.

But like Lucic there will be games you do not notice him.

He's a bear, not a wolverine.

And I cant help but think he will never match the unreasonable expectations many fans have for him.

 

Good post. And you are correct on his passing, the kid has great vision, especially behind the net (think Briere but way bigger). He could be a great setup guy on this team, especially with his size and ability to take the body. I don't expect him to get muscled off the puck once he finally is ready for the NHL.

 

I'm interested too see what he brings tonight.

[Derrico]

Those expecting Kassian to be Pat Kaleta in Milan Lucic's body will be disappointed. (Foligno might be that guy).

Kassian, to the best of my knowledge has never been a guy that runs around throwing multiple hits a game.

However, he is a guy that can blow somebody up every once in awhile.

And somebody who can beat somebody up every once in a while.

His best skill may actually be his passing, and he he has the intimidation quotient that buys him time to make some plays.

But he's often content to lumber along in the time and space he's given.

He can be a Lucic, with fewer goals and more assists.

But like Lucic there will be games you do not notice him.

He's a bear, not a wolverine.

And I cant help but think he will never match the unreasonable expectations many fans have for him.

 

I watched Zack a decent amount in his early OHL career playing for the Petes. I agree with everything posted above although at that time I certainly remember him, maybe not running around, but certainly looking to make the body check first. As you stated, every once in awhile he will absolutely blow someone up. Let's hope he can develop into what I hope he can be because I think he's the most highly regarded forward prospect we've had since Vanek.

[biodork]

Those expecting Kassian to be Pat Kaleta in Milan Lucic's body will be disappointed. (Foligno might be that guy).

Kassian, to the best of my knowledge has never been a guy that runs around throwing multiple hits a game.

However, he is a guy that can blow somebody up every once in awhile.

And somebody who can beat somebody up every once in a while.

His best skill may actually be his passing, and he he has the intimidation quotient that buys him time to make some plays.

But he's often content to lumber along in the time and space he's given.

He can be a Lucic, with fewer goals and more assists.

But like Lucic there will be games you do not notice him.

He's a bear, not a wolverine.

And I cant help but think he will never match the unreasonable expectations many fans have for him.

 

Good post, and I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking the part in bold. Kassian has a ton of potential, but despite his size, he's still just a kid. I think for most of his career he's been a big fish in a small pond, and time will tell whether he's capable of being a big fish in a big pond. I'd be thrilled if he makes the transition as seamlessly as Myers did his first year, but he won't necessarily be a bust if he doesn't. And thankfully, it sounds as though he has no plans to abandon his physical game just because he's focusing on offense right now:

 

http://sabres.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=4343

[LabattBlue]

I would prefer he spends his time in Rochester working in his game and becoming a better all around player instead of wasting time in the penalty box or on suspension for getting into fights and throwing hits around. We all know the kid is tough and he has shown it in the past. Lets see him become a good hockey player in the minors and then bring back some of his toughness to add to it later.

So you can't play physical without getting suspended or ending up in the penalty box? :blink:

[bcsaberks]

Man now I'm one of those goofy Amerk season ticket holders, going to tonight's and tomorrow's game, grumbling about the Sabres taking all our guys. Kassian has been the best player on the ice this season along with Morrison on the back end. He has a presence out there and it's fun to watch him play. Yes he hasn't been that physical but he is the boss in the offensive zone, takes no crap, chirps, and gives an intimidating stare down to the D-man who was cross-checking him in front of the net before the whistle (as opposed to vanek for example who will skate back to bench with his head down muttering to himself). I've never seen him play before this year, but based on his rep I see it as emotional maturity. Like another poster said, he's not going to develop his game sitting in the box. I do expect him to play more physical tonight given the typical 4th line roll.

[Andrew Amerk]

That's just great. But if we can't beat the Columbus Blue Jackets I may just shoot myself.

 

Again.

 

Bang.

[Robviously]

Man now I'm one of those goofy Amerk season ticket holders, going to tonight's and tomorrow's game, grumbling about the Sabres taking all our guys. Kassian has been the best player on the ice this season along with Morrison on the back end. He has a presence out there and it's fun to watch him play. Yes he hasn't been that physical but he is the boss in the offensive zone, takes no crap, chirps, and gives an intimidating stare down to the D-man who was cross-checking him in front of the net before the whistle (as opposed to vanek for example who will skate back to bench with his head down muttering to himself). I've never seen him play before this year, but based on his rep I see it as emotional maturity. Like another poster said, he's not going to develop his game sitting in the box. I do expect him to play more physical tonight given the typical 4th line roll.

How do you like Foligno and McNabb so far?

 

I'm really hoping that having Kassian, Foligno, and McNabb (along with more mature versions of Myers and Weber) results in the Sabres having WAY more muscle than we're used to a couple years from now. (I know...."hope"......that's about all we ever have.)

[qwksndmonster]

Bang.

Bow chicka bow wow.

[bcsaberks]

How do you like Foligno and McNabb so far?

 

I'm really hoping that having Kassian, Foligno, and McNabb (along with more mature versions of Myers and Weber) results in the Sabres having WAY more muscle than we're used to a couple years from now. (I know...."hope"......that's about all we ever have.)

 

Like. Big, skilled, playing hard. McNabb had some good hits last night, he put a great move on Gionta to setup an opportunity, and he carried the puck out with confidence. I really like Finley's play too - big physical stay-at-home. Yeah Core 2.0 is solid...though not to wish the next few seasons away.

[nbash]

Kassian gets first NHL helper on the lone Sabre goal, which brings me to this: For all the Leino lunch bag letdown, is it safe to say Jordan Leopold is giving us the kind of play we expected from Erhoff?