Ian Esplen: The Zack Kassian Project The Zack Kassian Project

Send him to go work out with Gary roberts and Coho.

3rd line, 10 goals........

The first thing they need to do is find him a partner to crash and bang with. Give him some confidence. No fun when you are the only one fighting out there.

Limit the turnovers? A player like Kassian should end the season with zero turnovers. When he has the puck, there should be no dipsy doodles at the blueline or drop passes. He should get the puck in deep and attack... every time. If he finishes his checks, wins 60%+ of his board battles and makes room for the players he plays with, the goals will come and he'll be as advertised. As a winger, you expect a defensive game that keeps opposing D honest, gets into lanes and offers available outlets. He's more than capable of that already. Dealing Hodgson will sting in the immediate future, but Kassian has the ability to be a game changer in his own right. I might agree that AV is failing to utilize this type of player. If he was a Flyer or a Bruin, he'd be a legend.

AV is absolutely his biggest obstacle! The Canucks as an organization need to be patient with this kid. In three years time, under the right development curve, he will be a force!

If I were you Id be happy with 15 goals from Kass

If I were you Id be happy with 15 goals from Kass
- HotSauceBlueChs

If he gets 15 goals we are doing cartwheels down Robson street nude.

Anyone else curious to see how Jensen would do with Hansen this year?

If I were you Id be happy with 15 goals from Kass
- HotSauceBlueChs

i second this

also...

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.
- IanEsplen

i don't necessarily see that Kassian has a huge level of discipline but getting bigger, strong and faster COULD happen, it's the more likely option. more confident, hell, that's possible too, now SMARTER, that's where we differ, kass is dumb as a rock, good luck with edumacating that one! he's never going to reach backes or lucic level play, you're lucky with over 30 bertuzzi at this point. plus AV is going to ruin the kid anyways.

Bust.

The best thing to do with Kassian would be to trade him to Buffalo for Hodgson.

Zack's ceiling may wind up being Raffe Torres.

Bust.
- broadstreet11

Well, our GM never has had a stellar record for picking up first round talent....it would not surprise me.

Can we get this straight. AV is not concerned whatsoever with age. It's just simply young players are inexperienced therefor make bad decisions with the puck. Tanev on the other hand makes great decisions with the puck and gets a lot of ice time. I agree that AV needs to loosen the leash a bit but there's a reason so many players have developed a great all around game under him. If our young players can play well away from the puck and make good decisions with it, they'll find a spot on the team. AV was gushing over Jensen and when Kassian first came here, he was jacked up about him. I think Kassians hockey sense is fine. He has good vision and passing ability. I find it hilarious that people seem to forget how atrocious Hodgson was when he first came up. I sat there telling myself he was good but he wasn't. At their same ages, Kassian had the way better 20-21 year old season. Lets see if he can step up to Hodgsons 21-22. Hodgson was my favorite prospect. But a lot of the time I found myself in denial at how poor and weak he was defensively.

The first thing they need to do is find him a partner to crash and bang with. Give him some confidence. No fun when you are the only one fighting out there.
- VANTEL

I agree with this

I think thats why I somewhat disagree with Ian's #4.

Yes the sedins have good hockey sense (and better then most because their line mates are someone that they've played with their whole lives). But I do't think they are proper mentors.

Actually I don't think there is anyone on the team that seems like a proper mentor for an upcoming star in the forwards.

Higgins? Booth? almost seem like they would.

Kassian seemed to really play well in buffalo when he had camaraderie. Ennis, Foligno and him really played well and seemed like they wanted to develop together (Was last spring so I may not have been foligno). There's no one to have that "band of brothers" feel with on the canucks.

Personally its always been my issue with them, I think its due to AV's my players are responsible for themselves attitude....instead of my players are responsible for their team.

I agree with this

I think thats why I somewhat disagree with Ian's #4.

Yes the sedins have good hockey sense (and better then most because their line mates are someone that they've played with their whole lives). But I do't think they are proper mentors.

Actually I don't think there is anyone on the team that seems like a proper mentor for an upcoming star in the forwards.

Higgins? Booth? almost seem like they would.

Kassian seemed to really play well in buffalo when he had camaraderie. Ennis, Foligno and him really played well and seemed like they wanted to develop together (Was last spring so I may not have been foligno). There's no one to have that "band of brothers" feel with on the canucks.

Personally its always been my issue with them, I think its due to AV's my players are responsible for themselves attitude....instead of my players are responsible for their team.
- numbear

What are you talking about. Band of brothers. This isn't the fellowship of the puck ...its freaking NHL hockey. The Canucks core is probably one of the better leadership cores in the league. I dont want Zack to think he's got drinking buddy's and he can do whatever wants. He needs older players to look up to. He of all people needs to work as hard as the Sedins, Keslers and Booths.

What are you talking about. Band of brothers. This isn't the fellowship of the puck ...its freaking NHL hockey. The Canucks core is probably one of the better leadership cores in the league. I dont want Zack to think he's got drinking buddy's and he can do whatever wants. He needs older players to look up to. He of all people needs to work as hard as the Sedins, Keslers and Booths.
- Boinker

I think the kids who succeed in the NHL require specific things.
They need a clearly defined role, or specifically what is expected of them as a player.
They need leadership in order to direct them on what is expected in order to be a pro, how to carry themselves both on and off the ice etc...
They need coaching in order to maximize on the traits they brought to the table and to develop other traits that are required to be a player in the league.
If these don't exist, players don't become impact players.

Zack's ceiling may wind up being Raffe Torres.
- Ron C.

woah, that's even better than an old bertuzzi analogy, nice!

Well, our GM never has had a stellar record for picking up first round talent....it would not surprise me.
- HotSauceBlueChs

It's a bit early to be calling Tyler Myers a bust.

I think the kids who succeed in the NHL require specific things.
They need a clearly defined role, or specifically what is expected of them as a player.
They need leadership in order to direct them on what is expected in order to be a pro, how to carry themselves both on and off the ice etc...
They need coaching in order to maximize on the traits they brought to the table and to develop other traits that are required to be a player in the league.
If these don't exist, players don't become impact players.
- Lohaus

Exactly. I really think the Canucks environment is perfect for Kassian. They're extremely focused and work extremely hard on and off the ice. He's the type of player that needs that direction. If he would have been developing in an environment without the leadership. He could possibly turn into a Dustin Penner or develop bad habits. When he got to Vancouver his conditioning was not good. That has a lot to do with the Buffalo Sabres. Now he's in a real organization and I really think Kassian will turn into as dynamic of a player as Kesler. He's got everything you want in a power forward and more.

While everyone is worried about Kass...

Im a little worried about Coho coming into the next season.

He has the potential to be our number one center. I just don't know if Ruff will play him there...every Sabre fan wants to acquire a proven number 1 but IMO that will be at the expense of Hodgsons development.

Hes going to be working hard this summer and hopefully gives the staff no reason not to have him center Vanek and Pommer.

It's a bit early to be calling Tyler Myers a bust.
- Scooby_Doo

Cody Hodgson has bamby legs and can only play in the offensive zone. Yes he's got great offensive instincts, shot and passing ability but he's missing two very important things. Speed and defensive awareness. Good like recovering from a bad defensive read with his speed. Ugly combo.

i dont want to burst anyone's bubble but i dont think kassian will have a 25 goal season ever. but if he miraculously develops into the player buffalo thought he would be then gave up on, it will take a while. he also backed off of being the tough guy that lindy wanted. i am happy we got rid of him, especially for a guy like hodgson. could both be a bust? maybe but i'd still rather have hodgson.