Tim Wharnsby ‏ @WharnsbyCBC
#Canucks and Alain Vigneault are close to agreeing on an extension. Likely to be announced later this week or next week. #hnic

DCT is excited.

Gillis screwed you guys on this deal. He was clearly so horny to deal CoHo that he took a deal based on an idea of a player he wanted. Kassian will likely be a 3rd liner who pots 15 goals a year, but thats obv not the same talent as CoHo.

If he was a good GM he would've waited til the summer and traded CoHo at the draft or when someone struck out on there UFA signings. Instead, he tried to be a hero GM ala Brian Burke and convince a fan base that this was right and was the right time to do so.

Sorry, but this is going to go down as one of the more lop-sided trades in Canuck history.

Tim Wharnsby ‏ @WharnsbyCBC
#Canucks and Alain Vigneault are close to agreeing on an extension. Likely to be announced later this week or next week. #hnic

DCT is excited.
- AlexF

Fml

Is this all you can come up with when responding to someone who doesn't share your opinion?

Vagabond has demonstrated credible hockey knowledge in his posts on these threads. I happen to agree with him when it comes to the fact that Kassian hasn't shown sh!t in a Canuck uniform. All I've seen from him are fake tough guy gestures and a constant "DUHHH" look on his face.
- DrChristianTroy

Do I detect some lingering hurt feelings? I'm sorry if I offended you. But someone who says "Mike Gillis is one of the worst gms in the league" with any kind of genuine seriousness is absolutely senseless IMO. Also, anyone that doesn't see the potential in Kassian is the same. Gillis is one of the smartest gms in the league and Kassian has the tools to become a "force"

Gillis screwed you guys on this deal. He was clearly so horny to deal CoHo that he took a deal based on an idea of a player he wanted. Kassian will likely be a 3rd liner who pots 15 goals a year, but thats obv not the same talent as CoHo.

If he was a good GM he would've waited til the summer and traded CoHo at the draft or when someone struck out on there UFA signings. Instead, he tried to be a hero GM ala Brian Burke and convince a fan base that this was right and was the right time to do so.

Sorry, but this is going to go down as one of the more lop-sided trades in Canuck history.
- BodyCheckRadio

Again for the 5000th time. Cody was not going to see ice time in the playoffs. Why would Buffalo do that trade, when the player they are acquiring was deemed useless by his coach?

Gillis screwed you guys on this deal. He was clearly so horny to deal CoHo that he took a deal based on an idea of a player he wanted. Kassian will likely be a 3rd liner who pots 15 goals a year, but thats obv not the same talent as CoHo.

If he was a good GM he would've waited til the summer and traded CoHo at the draft or when someone struck out on there UFA signings. Instead, he tried to be a hero GM ala Brian Burke and convince a fan base that this was right and was the right time to do so.

Sorry, but this is going to go down as one of the more lop-sided trades in Canuck history.
- BodyCheckRadio

Nazem Kadri would have scored close to 20 goals in the NHL this season had he played the whole year. Why wasn't he in the NHL? Anyone? anyone....? Because he can't be relied upon to make good decisions and was a liability on the ice.

Everyone is aware that Kassian has only been a pro for one year right? That year was also a split year between the AHL and the NHL and he also got traded during that time. A lot of things to digest in one season for a 20 year old, particularily for a power forward who needs to time to build a man's frame to play a power game. Relax, see how he is come game 40 of this upcoming season and then get upset. He'll be fine provided he is utlized and developed properly. He's not a dumb player and he isn't a lazy person. Give him time and relax folks.

Again for the 5000th time. Cody was not going to see ice time in the playoffs. Why would Buffalo do that trade, when the player they are acquiring was deemed useless by his coach?
- Boinker

Bull poop he wasn't going to be used...the guy was having a decent year and you're going to make him a healthy scratch? You must drink the kool-aid they serve out there???

Gillis screwed you guys on this deal for a project player in Kassian. Gillis may not have liked CoHo, but he was going to give you a better chance to win (i.e. score goals, which VAN did very little of in games 1,2 and 3 - basically the whole series) than Kassian...

You can't argue with that. Trade CoHo in the summer and you get more...heck, trade him to Buffalo and you might get a bit more too...maybe a pick of some kind as well...but I think you trade him at the draft or after UFA day when some team strikes out with a player they wanted....

Nazem Kadri would have scored close to 20 goals in the NHL this season had he played the whole year. Why wasn't he in the NHL? Anyone? anyone....? Because he can't be relied upon to make good decisions and was a liability on the ice.
- Boinker

And the Leafs weren't in the playoffs and he would be hard pressed to score that many goals....Kadri isn't in there lineup because he's not full time NHL'r yet. CoHo is.

Kadri will be lucky if he scores 20 in a season, period.

Does anyone in vancouver have a rational thought? anyone? Anyone?

Everyone is aware that Kassian has only been a pro for one year right? That year was also a split year between the AHL and the NHL and he also got traded during that time. A lot of things to digest in one season for a 20 year old, particularily for a power forward who needs to time to build a man's frame to play a power game. Relax, see how he is come game 40 of this upcoming season and then get upset. He'll be fine provided he is utlized and developed properly. He's not a dumb player and he isn't a lazy person. Give him time and relax folks.
- Lohaus

I just don't see him being more than a role player and a 15 goal scorer, max 20. CoHo is a better player and I think they got hosed. Now if your fine trading a guy who might net you 30+(CoHo) vs 15+(ZK) and some sandpaper, than I guess you make the trade...but I don't think thats a good trade IMO, because heart and sole players can be found at a lesser price or through proper drafting.

As a Sens fan I have to ask you....would you trade CoHo for Chris Neil...you bet you would....ask a Canucks fan the same thing and they will say no. IMO Kassian is on pace to be a slightly better Chris Neil (a guy who will get you 10-15 goals and bring it every shift) but thats not worth CoHo.

Bull poop he wasn't going to be used...the guy was having a decent year and you're going to make him a healthy scratch? You must drink the kool-aid they serve out there???

Gillis screwed you guys on this deal for a project player in Kassian. Gillis may not have liked CoHo, but he was going to give you a better chance to win (i.e. score goals, which VAN did very little of in games 1,2 and 3 - basically the whole series) than Kassian...

You can't argue with that.
- BodyCheckRadio

Gillis traded for Pahlsson becasue he wanted a defenseive centerman on the 3rd line in a shut down role. That was no Hodgson. As it has been discussed at length, AV was not willing to move Kesler to the wing and move Hodgson to 2nd line center.

It has also been discussed that Hosgson's camp was not happy with the ice time Hodgson was gettting. Hodgson was in a no win situation with Vancovuer. He was stuck behind, Kesler and Henrik and was not going to move up the depth chart. Buffalo needed a talented center and Vancovuer needed a big bodied winger.

Both players are still quite young and neither one has reached potential yet. Why don't we wait at least one more full season before we start making judgements on who got got schooled on this trade. I personally think it was a win-win

I just don't see him being more than a role player and a 15 goal scorer, max 20. CoHo is a better player and I think they got hosed. Now if your fine trading a guy who might net you 30+(CoHo) vs 15+(ZK) and some sandpaper, than I guess you make the trade...but I don't think thats a good trade IMO, because heart and sole players can be found at a lesser price or through proper drafting.

As a Sens fan I have to ask you....would you trade CoHo for Chris Neil...you bet you would....ask a Canucks fan the same thing and they will say no. IMO Kassian is on pace to be a slightly better Chris Neil (a guy who will get you 10-15 goals and bring it every shift) but thats not worth CoHo.
- BodyCheckRadio

How are you coming up with these numbers?

I just don't see him being more than a role player and a 15 goal scorer, max 20. CoHo is a better player and I think they got hosed. Now if your fine trading a guy who might net you 30+(CoHo) vs 15+(ZK) and some sandpaper, than I guess you make the trade...but I don't think thats a good trade IMO, because heart and sole players can be found at a lesser price or through proper drafting.

As a Sens fan I have to ask you....would you trade CoHo for Chris Neil...you bet you would....ask a Canucks fan the same thing and they will say no. IMO Kassian is on pace to be a slightly better Chris Neil (a guy who will get you 10-15 goals and bring it every shift) but thats not worth CoHo.
- BodyCheckRadio

We also got Grag in the deal just saying so theres 2 projects not 1

I just don't see him being more than a role player and a 15 goal scorer, max 20. CoHo is a better player and I think they got hosed. Now if your fine trading a guy who might net you 30+(CoHo) vs 15+(ZK) and some sandpaper, than I guess you make the trade...but I don't think thats a good trade IMO, because heart and sole players can be found at a lesser price or through proper drafting.

As a Sens fan I have to ask you....would you trade CoHo for Chris Neil...you bet you would....ask a Canucks fan the same thing and they will say no. IMO Kassian is on pace to be a slightly better Chris Neil (a guy who will get you 10-15 goals and bring it every shift) but thats not worth CoHo.
- BodyCheckRadio

Well, first off, I don't think Kassian translates into Chris Neil. Kassian has better tools in the shed than Neil does and if they are properly utilized, he'll be an impact guy. I don't think he's your typical heart and soul player either. The issue with him might just be being in Vancouver on a team who has a culture that doesn't inspire him to be the type of player he could be. That becomes something the coach needs to bring out in him. I think Kassian has the legit chance to be a 25-30 goal scorer who hammers people, protects his team mates and is a guy other teams take note of, but he has to be put into a situation where he can be that guy. Thats the bottom line in his development.

I've always liked Hodgson, so it really isn't a question and the only thing I could see backfiring in this deal is that I think Hodgson's style of play fits AV more so than Kassian but if AV was any kind of a coach, he'd recognize he has aspecial player in Kassian and find a way to capitalize on his skillset. People keep dismissing him like he's garbage, but he's not.

Do I detect some lingering hurt feelings? I'm sorry if I offended you. But someone who says "Mike Gillis is one of the worst gms in the league" with any kind of genuine seriousness is absolutely senseless IMO. Also, anyone that doesn't see the potential in Kassian is the same. Gillis is one of the smartest gms in the league and Kassian has the tools to become a "force"
- Boinker

I would take 10-15 GMs over Gillis...Its not hard to look good when you drive a Rolls Royce, but slowly that Rolls Royce is turning into a Chevy SunFire...

Lets go through the list in no particular order of preference: Yzerman, B.Murray, D.Armstrong, Maloney, Holland, Tallon, Lombardi, Shero, Chiarelli, Lamourello, Rutherford, Poile, Mcphee, Regier, Holmgren

These guys have all shown that they can build a team that competes. Gillis inherited a team ala Brian Burke in Anaheim when they won...

Not recognizing some of your problems mid year is the sign of a GM that isn't that great. Vancouver played mediocre hockey since January and thats from the mouth of Gillis himself, so what does he do to help his team??? He trades for Kassian, a young player yet to prove anything in this league....who does he lose...a guy who can score...and what happened without one of the Sedins??? they didn't score....

Cant blame the goalie every year...wasnt either ones fault. The D was alright, but they needed help up front. Booth wasn't a good trade either...it didn't cost much but will down the line when you need the cap space...

Don't give me the "THEY WON THE PRESIDENTS TROPHY" either...they only won it because STL lost it losing 80% of there last 10 games....NYR struggled down the stretch too and VAN also plays in a division of teams they can beat up on....not one of the other teams in the NW made the playoffs...

Well, first off, I don't think Kassian translates into Chris Neil. Kassian has better tools in the shed than Neil does and if they are properly utilized, he'll be an impact guy. I don't think he's your typical heart and soul player either. The issue with him might just be being in Vancouver on a team who has a culture that doesn't inspire him to be the type of player he could be. That becomes something the coach needs to bring out in him. I think Kassian has the legit chance to be a 25-30 goal scorer who hammers people, protects his team mates and is a guy other teams take note of, but he has to be put into a situation where he can be that guy. Thats the bottom line in his development.

I've always liked Hodgson, so it really isn't a question and the only thing I could see backfiring in this deal is that I think Hodgson's style of play fits AV more so than Kassian but if AV was any kind of a coach, he'd recognize he has aspecial player in Kassian and find a way to capitalize on his skillset. People keep dismissing him like he's garbage, but he's not.
- Lohaus

I don't think he's garbage at all....and I said that he will be better than a Chris Neil, but I don't think it will be that much. I do also agree with you on his development in VAN, particularly with AV as his coach....I'd be worried.

We also got Grag in the deal just saying so theres 2 projects not 1
- pker2theend

That is true...I liked the secondary piece they got...just not crazy about CoHo for Kassian.

How are you coming up with these numbers?
- fiveandagame

Well watching the improvement he is showing each year and looking at his potential from that improvement would suggest he is going to be an impact player who can net you 25-35 goals...which would give me in the range of 30.

Gillis traded for Pahlsson becasue he wanted a defenseive centerman on the 3rd line in a shut down role. That was no Hodgson. As it has been discussed at length, AV was not willing to move Kesler to the wing and move Hodgson to 2nd line center.

It has also been discussed that Hosgson's camp was not happy with the ice time Hodgson was gettting. Hodgson was in a no win situation with Vancovuer. He was stuck behind, Kesler and Henrik and was not going to move up the depth chart. Buffalo needed a talented center and Vancovuer needed a big bodied winger.

Both players are still quite young and neither one has reached potential yet. Why don't we wait at least one more full season before we start making judgements on who got got schooled on this trade. I personally think it was a win-win
- fiveandagame

Pahlsson isn't a third line centre though...he's a fourth line guy. There is nothing that says your third line centre has to be defensive...a third line can produce as well. And its just a matter of depth IMO going into a playoff where expectations were high. CoHo would've proved useful and I don't like the return they got for him. Maybe ZK proves a lot of people wrong, but right now I'd say its lopsided....the only thing I agree on is they won the D trade in that transaction, but again, I always ask myself, who got the best player in the deal...whoever got the best player wins the trade until proven otherwise....

I think it's important to remember that young power forwards traditionally take longer to develop. Kassian should be given time to develop. I would definitely start him off in the AHL next year, let him play lots of minutes. Hopefully when you call him up half way through the season, he's ready to contribute on the third line.

Well watching the improvement he is showing each year and looking at his potential from that improvement would suggest he is going to be an impact player who can net you 25-35 goals...which would give me in the range of 30.
- BodyCheckRadio

Kassian hasn't even played half a season, is 21 years old, a 1st round pick with size and hands and you have him with a career ceiling of 20 goals.

Pahlsson isn't a third line centre though...he's a fourth line guy. There is nothing that says your third line centre has to be defensive...a third line can produce as well. And its just a matter of depth IMO going into a playoff where expectations were high. CoHo would've proved useful and I don't like the return they got for him. Maybe ZK proves a lot of people wrong, but right now I'd say its lopsided....the only thing I agree on is they won the D trade in that transaction, but again, I always ask myself, who got the best player in the deal...whoever got the best player wins the trade until proven otherwise....
- BodyCheckRadio

So in the Niewendyk/Iginla trade, Dallas clearly won because they traded for the best player at the time of the trade.

I don't think he's garbage at all....and I said that he will be better than a Chris Neil, but I don't think it will be that much. I do also agree with you on his development in VAN, particularly with AV as his coach....I'd be worried.
- BodyCheckRadio

Where I do agree with you is that the trade itslef could be problematic. I think the chances of Hodgson becoming an impact player are likely significantly higher than Kassian making him the safer bet. Maybe Kassian only ever becomes Raffi Torres? On the flip side, however, if Kassian is developed properly and turns out to be that 25-30 goal guy who is a physical presence destroying opposition D for the next 10-15 years, his impact, especially with what already exists in Vancouver, he could be the homerun in the deal. Its a gamble for sure.

By the way, the garbage reference wasn't about you so much as the common theme around these boards....

Kassian hasn't even played half a season, is 21 years old, a 1st round pick with size and hands and you have him with a career ceiling of 20 goals.
- fiveandagame

Don't all 1st rounders score at least 30 goals in their rookie season or they're officially a bust?

Don't all 1st rounders score at least 30 goals in their rookie season or they're officially a bust?
- AlexF

Just look at the development of a power forward Shane Doan over his career. He had 15 goals in his first 170 games in the league. He seemed to turn out alright.