I also question the timing of the trade... I think that if Cody had remained a Canuck through the playoffs, and Kassian had remained a part-time player for Buffalo (who won't even be in the playoffs), by the summer a Hodgson for Kassian straight up trade would have been laughable...

We probably could have snagged another valuable asset from Buffalo in the summer even if Hodgson & Kassian were still the crux of the deal. No idea why this deal had to be done now...
- DrChristianTroy

considering Gillis said that discussions in the office, are not for the public.

That pretty much says that, someone wanted the trade to happen sooner then later.

I think its best for both players. Hodgson will get more playing time in buffalo, and same with Kassian. It was a good trade.

Even in the summer it would have been a player for player of their value.

The east is more physical so it will interesting to see Cody over there. Kassian will dominate physically in the west. He looks like Bert did when he first came over. Very strong on the boards. Guys tend to stay away from him. I think this will turn out to be a good deal for both teams.

Guys, if these two were in the same draft we would have picked Kassian. Gillis wanted a power forward but thankfully passed on Beach. It sucks that we invested so much in that guy but the Zack Attack will take Vancouver by storm. We love these types of guys as does AV meaning he will get lots of play time.

considering Gillis said that discussions in the office, are not for the public.

That pretty much says that, someone wanted the trade to happen sooner then later.

I think its best for both players. Hodgson will get more playing time in buffalo, and same with Kassian. It was a good trade.

Even in the summer it would have been a player for player of their value.
- numbear

On Rich Winters (CoHo's agent) Twitter feed, he let slip that 2 days before the trade deadline, Cody and him went to MG and AV and asked for more playing time. He's been trying hard to deny it after that, but I think it's clear that there was an intimation that Cody wasn't happy playing behind Henrik and Kesler.

Hodgson provided three things we desperately need: a center for the second pp unit, a guy who can score in the shootout and secondary scoring when Kesler and the Sedins are having an off night. We didn't need to trade Hodgson to get Kassian, he could have been had for different assets and we all know it. Are you telling me you couldn't have gotten this kid for Raymond and a pick? Or Schroeder and a pick? The return for Hodgson could have been the franchise d-man or the top line winger we all know this team needs.

Hodgson provided three things we desperately need: a center for the second pp unit, a guy who can score in the shootout and secondary scoring when Kesler and the Sedins are having an off night. We didn't need to trade Hodgson to get Kassian, he could have been had for different assets and we all know it. Are you telling me you couldn't have gotten this kid for Raymond and a pick? Or Schroeder and a pick? The return for Hodgson could have been the franchise d-man or the top line winger we all know this team needs.
- The Canucklehead

I know someone we had that centered our third line, centered the second PP unit, scored in the shootouts and secondary scoring (somewhat). His name? Kyle Wellwood, same sort of pedigree, but slightly better defensively then CoHo and look how far he took us in the playoffs.

I think it was a great trade for both teams. We both got the exact kind of elite prospect that each team NEEDED. No telling who will reach full potential. Each team gambled that the player they traded for will. Like stated before, if each team had to draft one of these guys right now, Van would take Kassian and Buffalo Hodgson.

The east is more physical so it will interesting to see Cody over there. Kassian will dominate physically in the west. He looks like Bert did when he first came over. Very strong on the boards. Guys tend to stay away from him. I think this will turn out to be a good deal for both teams.

Guys, if these two were in the same draft we would have picked Kassian. Gillis wanted a power forward but thankfully passed on Beach. It sucks that we invested so much in that guy but the Zack Attack will take Vancouver by storm. We love these types of guys as does AV meaning he will get lots of play time.
- therealagent

You seen Kassian turn down a fight twice in his 1st game the other night.

Kassian lacks a scoring touch and his skating is average at best.

Take it from a Sabre fan, the legend of Kassian is bigger than the man for sure.

Darcy sooooo won this trade.

Um Pete , the Sabres dont have the resources nor have they completed this imaginary "cycle" you speak of?

Wow , at least I know never to waste my time reading anything blogged by you ever again.

Talk about someone that doesnt poop!

Get a clue Pete.
- TerryPegs

Terry do the Sabres have a dietary consultant and chef on staff full time making teams meals?

Do the Sabres have sleep consultants?

Do they have a video room where players can search video on themselves on PCs to review plays from currents seasons and before?

Iirc correctly the Sabres had dropped to the thinnest of scouting staffs and used video for scouting before pegula.http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...abres-under-golisano.html

"2005 was on odd year for the NHL entry draft, as it was a true lottery where every team had the chance to win it, equally"



We all know there was only one team going to get the 1st pick in 2005. Nothing like back room deals and conspiracy.

"2005 was on odd year for the NHL entry draft, as it was a true lottery where every team had the chance to win it, equally"



We all know there was only one team going to get the 1st pick in 2005. Nothing like back room deals and conspiracy.
- Full Throttle

Pens win that lottery 29 out of 30 times

Good perspectives Pete. Thanks for chiming in. Appreciate (and miss) your objectivity.

Hopefully your point about Gillis doing Hodgson (and by extension his agent) a big favor by trading him out of Vancouver doesn't get lost in all the hysteria. Hodgson is an RFA after next season and will be able to justify much higher salary demands as a first or second line center in Buffalo than he ever would have been able to get in Vancouver.
- YeOldTimer

This is bang on. As much as Cody wants to win and be a team player etc etc, he also has to look at his own career. Moreover, he sees guys from his draft (i.e. Eberle, Myers, Stamkos, Doughty, Schenn) who have or will sign big 2nd contracts. Given where CoHo's icetime and production were, he wouldn't have had nearly the leverage as those others did and would have likely went the route of the Sedins/Kesler who got their big pay day on their 3rd or 4th contract. I'm guessing the agent and Hodgson were probably not interested in that. I can't blame him either. He's had previous back issues and you never know if or when they could arise again...

I know someone we had that centered our third line, centered the second PP unit, scored in the shootouts and secondary scoring (somewhat). His name? Kyle Wellwood, same sort of pedigree, but slightly better defensively then CoHo and look how far he took us in the playoffs.
- DariusKnight

I like Wellwood, but he is not anywhere near as good a player as Hodgson is or will be. Your comparison of the 2 as 'equal', with the hint that Wellwood was better defensively, is quite a howler! That's a head-shaker.

I know someone we had that centered our third line, centered the second PP unit, scored in the shootouts and secondary scoring (somewhat). His name? Kyle Wellwood, same sort of pedigree, but slightly better defensively then CoHo and look how far he took us in the playoffs.
- DariusKnight

did you seriously just compare kyle wellwood to cody hodgson?

"2005 was on odd year for the NHL entry draft, as it was a true lottery where every team had the chance to win it, equally"



We all know there was only one team going to get the 1st pick in 2005. Nothing like back room deals and conspiracy.
- Full Throttle

It wasn't equal though was it? I seem to remember it was weighted somehow based on the previous season's rankings, not exactly based on them but teams that were lower had a higher chance of winning it. The Pens were the lowest.

Um Pete , the Sabres dont have the resources nor have they completed this imaginary "cycle" you speak of?

Wow , at least I know never to waste my time reading anything blogged by you ever again.

Talk about someone that doesnt poop!

Get a clue Pete.
- TerryPegs

All the sane, reasonable Sabre fans do a collective

Um Pete , the Sabres dont have the resources nor have they completed this imaginary "cycle" you speak of?

Wow , at least I know never to waste my time reading anything blogged by you ever again.

Talk about someone that doesnt poop!

Get a clue Pete.
- TerryPegs

Pete's one of the best bloggers on this site. If you disagree, simply point it out and move on—no need for the extra theatrics.

Show some respect.

All the sane, reasonable Sabre fans do a collective
- ImThatGuy

So as a sane and reasonable Sabre fan what is your take on this Kassian kid?

Peter I... I miss your musk...

You seen Kassian turn down a fight twice in his 1st game the other night.

Kassian lacks a scoring touch and his skating is average at best.

Take it from a Sabre fan, the legend of Kassian is bigger than the man for sure.

Darcy sooooo won this trade.
- TerryPegs

Kassian is a better skater than Hodgson and he's four inches bigger and 50 lbs heavier. Hodgson will never improve his skating because of that short choppy stride. Hodgson was an early bloomer I see way more room for Growth in Kassian than Hodgson. Plus I can see the Canucks making Gragnani into a top four. We'll see. The Canucks traded from a position of strength. Schroeder will be in Hodgsons spot next season who is faster and better defensively. We needed that big young powerforward. The Sabres traded from a strength and now have a weakness. Where's your size at forward? Hodgson will put up more points over his career but Kassian will make a bigger impact for the team.

Peter I... I miss your musk...
- farglesnuff

Thanks. It doesn't matter who the team is the top teams and the bottom feeders always have more to write about. It was fun to revisit the Canucks. I always watch them and it's refreshing to apply a critical eye on them.

You seen Kassian turn down a fight twice in his 1st game the other night.

Kassian lacks a scoring touch and his skating is average at best.

Take it from a Sabre fan, the legend of Kassian is bigger than the man for sure.

Darcy sooooo won this trade.
- TerryPegs

as of right now cody is better than kassian yes, but who knows what the future will be like. you dont know how kassian or grags will turn out. they are both raw and need development, and will get that in our system. sulzer will be nothing but a depth d-man his whole career. thats one thing you can count on. the rest is up in the air. so take a step back and stop being such a doucher.

Kassian is a better skater than Hodgson and he's four inches bigger and 50 lbs heavier. Hodgson will never improve his skating because of that short choppy stride. Hodgson was an early bloomer I see way more room for Growth in Kassian than Hodgson. Plus I can see the Canucks making Gragnani into a top four. We'll see. The Canucks traded from a position of strength. Schroeder will be in Hodgsons spot next season who is faster and better defensively. We needed that big young powerforward. The Sabres traded from a strength and now have a weakness. Where's your size at forward? Hodgson will put up more points over his career but Kassian will make a bigger impact for the team.
- Boinker

does your shoulder hurt? it must've popped out of joint how hard you're reaching. 21 year old traded for a 22 year old. "never" is a big word. but at least it's bolded so that i really know you're serious.

I know the traps of trying to justify a trade that you're not convinced about. it doesn't work.

I'm not ready to question Kassian's conditioning right yet. I read a quote from him that he said he was so nervous, becasue of the trade, new team, new teamates etc, that he couldn't even breathe until the 2nd period.

I like Wellwood, but he is not anywhere near as good a player as Hodgson is or will be. Your comparison of the 2 as 'equal', with the hint that Wellwood was better defensively, is quite a howler! That's a head-shaker.
- rdfred

Wellwood stats:

2005/2006 Toronto Maple Leafs (True Rookie Year)
GP: 81 Goals: 11 Assists: 34 Points: 45 PIM:14 +/-: 0

Hodgson stats:

2011/2012 Vancouver Canucks/Buffalo Sabres (Also True Rookie Year)
GP: 64 Goals: 16 Assists: 17 Points: 33 PIM: 8 +/-: 8

I'd say the comparison is apt, both were projected to be first line/second line natural playmaking centers. Both played most of the season on the third line, Wellwood on a very bad Maple Leafs team yet his plus/minus is even. Wellwood didn't have the intangibles that Hodgson brings, nor did he score the goals, but Hodgson's +/- is only +8 having played on a very good Vancouver team that is up there in GF/GA with great goaltending.

Wellwood stats:

2005/2006 Toronto Maple Leafs (True Rookie Year)
GP: 81 Goals: 11 Assists: 34 Points: 45 PIM:14 +/-: 0

Hodgson stats:

2011/2012 Vancouver Canucks/Buffalo Sabres (Also True Rookie Year)
GP: 64 Goals: 16 Assists: 17 Points: 33 PIM: 8 +/-: 8

I'd say the comparison is apt, both were projected to be first line/second line natural playmaking centers. Both played most of the season on the third line, Wellwood on a very bad Maple Leafs team yet his plus/minus is even. Wellwood didn't have the intangibles that Hodgson brings, nor did he score the goals, but Hodgson's +/- is only +8 having played on a very good Vancouver team that is up there in GF/GA with great goaltending.
- DariusKnight

i really, really don't understand what you're trying to get at with this whole (absolutely insane) comparison. "Wellwood didn't have the intangibles that Hodgson brings, nor did he score the goals, but Hodgson's +/- is only +8"

read that over and tell me if it makes any sense. "only" +8. doesn't have the intangibles, or the goal scoring, and hodgson doesn't project to become a pudgy little dude, but yeah, I can totally see their career arcs taking similar shape.