Tuukka Rask is pretty good
- walshyleafsfan

He had a cup of coffee and left

Ok, I think we really need to get a sarcasm icon
- Zogg

I try to use the winkie face icon as the sarcasm.

I try to use the winkie face icon as the sarcasm.
- thundachunk

Seriously though, when was the last time Ek added anything new to this website (bogus rumors aside)? How extraordinarily hard would it be to add a few more emoticons?

Seriously though, when was the last time Ek added anything new to this website (bogus rumors aside)? How extraordinarily hard would it be to add a few more emoticons?
- AlexF

Nothing has changed ever. Lots of things could be more user friendly.

Nothing has changed ever. Lots of things could be more user friendly.
- thundachunk

In the IT world, no change in years is like decades. No change ever usually equates to an out of operation website. I guess the joke's on us.

Nothing has changed ever. Lots of things could be more user friendly.
- thundachunk

washy Leaf fan is more freindly

Exactly, given how Kassian has been (mis)handled to date, by both Vigneault and Tortorella it's a bit of a miracle that he's made some significant strides in spite of that (which I think shows that much more character). I think he just needs and has always needed the proper motivation and guidance, and hopefully WD (along with guys like Henrik and Daniel continuing to work with him) will be able to bring that out. There's nothing like giving a player confidence and a proper chance to succeed, by placing him in positions that will ensure that is the case. And unfortunately that has not been the case since we acquired him.
- Zogg

Honestly. There is a very good chance that both Vancity and Buffalo win the trade. They need young centerman (Im aware we do aswell) And we need a power forward. Power forwards always take time to pan out. Gillis could look like a genius if Kassian pans out. (Yes, I just said that)

Honestly. There is a very good chance that both Vancity and Buffalo win the trade. They need young centerman (Im aware we do aswell) And we need a power forward. Power forwards always take time to pan out. Gillis could look like a genius if Kassian pans out. (Yes, I just said that)
- vancity787

Or just lucky. How Kassian pans out is up to Kassian, I like the fact he stays here over the summer and is serious about his training, he is taking /listening to someones advice about his future.

Or just lucky. How Kassian pans out is up to Kassian, I like the fact he stays here over the summer and is serious about his training, he is taking /listening to someones advice about his future.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Yes, I've heard from other fellow HB'ers that he is taking this off season very seriously. Makes me very happy and makes me think that now if he is fully commited. Well, come two or three years from now we could have someone pretty special on our hands.

I believe Willie is the right guy to squeeze the juice out of Kassian. If he cant do it, not sure anyone can.

Or just lucky. How Kassian pans out is up to Kassian, I like the fact he stays here over the summer and is serious about his training, he is taking /listening to someones advice about his future.
- A_SteamingLombardi

He is in ON for summer and training?

He is in ON for summer and training?
- anavar

I know 1 year he stayed out here, maybe it was his first.

I had Kassian in the deal because in a few years i think Virtanen kinda replaces Kassian therefore making him expendable and its also an opportunity to open a roster spot for a prospect as well
- GloveHandStrong

Why does he need to replace Kassian? Why can't we have 2 kickass power forwards?

Why does he need to replace Kassian? Why can't we have 2 kickass power forwards?
- KB3Point0

why can't we ever have nice things

why can't we ever have nice things
- Zogg

I know 1 year he stayed out here, maybe it was his first.
- A_SteamingLombardi

He is there now, according to his Twitter instagram etc. No creeper.

Why does he need to replace Kassian? Why can't we have 2 kickass power forwards?
- KB3Point0

I'll settle for just 1 at this point.

I'll settle for just 1 at this point.
- AlexF

You're not satisfied with the progress he made last year? or do you feel it's more of a cumulative thing? (if that's the case I feel it was primarily due to his mismanagement by both Vigneault and Torterella). I think most people tend to agree that it takes a little longer for power forwards to develop and, as far as Kassian was concerned, management certainly didn't do him any favours along those lines.

In any event, what would you like to see more of from Kassian? (other than getting more quality minutes/PP time)

Oh the splendid irony of your post
- Zogg

But c'mon though, that trade was horrible...

You're not satisfied with the progress he made last year? or do you feel it's more of a cumulative thing? (if that's the case I feel it was primarily due to his mismanagement by both Vigneault and Torterella). I think most people tend to agree that it takes a little longer for power forwards to develop.

In any event, what would you like to see more of from Kassian? (other than getting more quality minutes/PP time)
- Zogg

Kassian is not a top 6 power forward as of last season. He needs to be a consistent top 6 power forward for me to believe that we in fact have a power forward on this team. Showing flashes of crafty hands here or his power there on the nights when the mood is right still keeps him in the project category. He needs to bring it all together and deliver that package on the ice most nights.

I know we like to envision the development trajectory of all of our prospects in a 90 degree line going forever upwards but that's the case less often than it proves true. That said, I'm excited to see if Kassian can make the leap in the next couple seasons, but I'm also not one of those fans that drool over potential. I drool over the finished product.

You're not satisfied with the progress he made last year? or do you feel it's more of a cumulative thing? (if that's the case I feel it was primarily due to his mismanagement by both Vigneault and Torterella). I think most people tend to agree that it takes a little longer for power forwards to develop and, as far as Kassian was concerned, management certainly didn't do him any favours along those lines.

In any event, what would you like to see more of from Kassian? (other than getting more quality minutes/PP time)
- Zogg

If Kassian could still improved under that (frank)ing gong show last year then god bless him. I just want to see constant improvement, and getting bigger every year without losing speed. I don't need to see leaps and bounds, the guys behind him need to improve by leaps and bounds so that they all peak at the same time.

If Kassian could still improved under that (frank)ing gong show last year then god bless him. I just want to see constant improvement, and getting bigger every year without losing speed. I don't need to see leaps and bounds, the guys behind him need to improve by leaps and bounds so that they all peak at the same time.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Don't take the brown acid, or else everyone will peak at the same time.

Don't take the brown acid, or else everyone will peak at the same time.
- 1970vintage

I got a bag of oranges, (frank) it.

If Kassian could still improved under that (frank)ing gong show last year then god bless him. I just want to see constant improvement, and getting bigger every year without losing speed. I don't need to see leaps and bounds, the guys behind him need to improve by leaps and bounds so that they all peak at the same time.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I think that's the key component as concerns every young player, and that is ensuring consistency and putting forward your best effort night in and night out over a 82 game schedule, something which is not easily attainable.

Based on the latter part of last season, I saw some very positive signs with regards to this issue and I hope that it will flow over to this coming year. If Kassian keeps improving we are going to have something quite special on our hands. Not since the Bertuzzi days have we seen a power forward with that kind of skill-set and potential (which is slowly but surely being realized)

Edit: and note that it took Bertuzzi to hit his full stride in his mid/ late twenties, whereas Kassian is only 23

I think that's the key component as concerns every young player, and that is ensuring consistency and putting forward your best effort night in and night out over a 82 game schedule, something which is not easily attainable.

Based on the latter part of last season, I saw some very positive signs with regards to this issue and I hope that it will flow over to this coming year. If Kassian keeps improving we are going to have something quite special on our hands. Not since the Bertuzzi days have we seen a power forward with that kind of skill-set and potential (which is slowly but surely being realized)

Edit: and note that it took Bertuzzi to hit his full stride in his mid/ late twenties, whereas Kassian is only 23
- Zogg

It's fun having nice things again.

It's fun having nice things again.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Wait until the season starts