Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

The Zack Kassian Project

May 15, 2012, 9:49 AM ET [182 Comments]
Ian Esplen
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter for random hockey talk, question and answer sessions, and the odd witty tweet



When Kassian arrived on trade deadline day, nearly every expert around raved about how Vancouver added what was missing. While some were sceptical about whether he could help right away, almost all loved the deal.

Now my biggest concern was whether Kassian could control himself on the ice. I loved the way he played in Jr., but if he is going to be a top 6 player he can't cross the line like he did every now and then. Kassian has to be the wild man who scars the crap out of the opposition without crossing that line. My hope is that Kassian will one day evolve into David Backes. With the window in Vancouver closing every year, hopefully that progression will start this season.

So what do I expect out of Kassian next year? 25 goals, 180 hits, and 100 penalty minutes. That type of production should put him in Vancouver's top six. A place that I think he needs to play to realize his potential. Whether it is first or second line duty, I still haven't decides where the best fit is for him, but he needs to get 16-19 minutes a game in order to progress.

Kassians biggest obstacle standing in his way may very well be the coach. AV seems to hate to see young players succeed. You make one mistake and you're riding the pine for the next month. How young players are supposed to ever develop with a coach like that behind the bench? It's almost as though AV has a "if the kid is any good he can figure it out on his own" approach to coaching.

Because of this style of coaching (or lack thereof coaching), young players become concerned with making mistakes. They don't play their game because they're too concerned with playing the coaches game. Sure Kassian is going to turn the puck over from time to time, and some of them are going to look really bad. But if Kassian plays his game (big, physical, mean, nasty, scare the crap out of you) he will cause a whole lot more turnovers than he gives up.

So what should the Canucks plan be to get the most out of Kassian?

1- Give him ice time no matter what (within reason). If Kassian was brought in to be a top six player, he has to play top six. Give him the opportunity to be the player we all hope he will be. Put him in position to succeed.


2- Get him in the gym all offseason long. Right now Kassian looks a bit gassed when he plays over 10 minutes. His condition and strength both need to get better. I firmly believe that can happen in one offseason with the right training.


3- Have him watch every Blues and Bruins game from last season during the offseason. Have him study every move that Backes and Lucic make and have him pattern his game after them. We Need Kassian to play like both of these players and watching them all offseason should hopefully have something rub off on him.

4- Lastly, find him a spot in the locker-room with Hank on one side and Daniel on the other. Right now I consider Kassian to be a little behind in terms of hockey sense. Putting him between the two players with the most hockey smarts on the team (maybe the league) is bound to help the kid.


The Sedins know the game and think the game unlike any player. They know how hard it is being 22 years old and trying to make an impact in the league. The Sedins will surely help Kassian mature both on and off the ice (not that he has problems if the ice.). They will be there to answer any questions he has and help him learn about the game, the city and life in general.


In the end, if Kassian comes to camp bigger, stronger, faster, more confident and smarter, that's going to be one hell of a hockey player to try and contain.




And that’s the blog for today.

See you on the message boards.

Thank you

Ian
Join the Discussion: » 182 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ian Esplen
» Luongo at the top of Toews' list
» 5 things that need to happen to win the West
» Ready to breakout
» Where in the world is Brenden Morrow?
» Saying the right things