How does one describe Zack Kassian's initial impression with the Vancouver Canucks?
Let's try another one. How about, "Work in Progress"! That one sounds much better, and probably most accurately describes Kassian's role in Vancouver. Unfortunately because acquiring Kassian came at the expense of Cody Hodgson, expectations were that he would contribute immediately.
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| Kassian's 2011-2012 NHL Stats; Stats are over 44 GP Courtesy of Yahoo! |
The 6'3" 214 pound forward is experiencing what many go through in their first year of pro. A difficulty adjusting to playing a faster game against experienced men. Kassian was a man among boys in junior, who's pure physical ability made producing offensively a bit easier.
Kassian has been able to show glimpses of great talent at the pro level this past season. In the AHL he was producing at a 0.870 points per game clip, and even though success at the American Hockey League level is not the best indicator of how talented of an NHLer a player will be (I'm looking at you, Krog), it is still impressive.
Kassian also never really got a fair shot in the Canucks line up. He spent the majority of his games in Vancouver on the fourth line, aside from a stint with Ryan Kesler and David Booth and a short time on Henrik's wing while Daniel was injured.
Now being that he played on the fourth line mainly in Vancouver, was his production here really that bad? Not really. Kassian was producing at a 0.180 level in Vancouver (0.230 overall), let's compare that to the other fourth line winger's point per game numbers:
Dale Weise: 0.120
Aaron Volpatti: 0.040
Manny Malholtra: 0.230
Although Manny isn't really a winger, he did play wing on the fourth line and took defensive zone draws from time to time. Albeit these players play in different styles, but their ice time was fairly similar. Zack's point production was good enough for second on that list, even though he was being shuffled around the lineup and adjusting to a new team and city. His actual season point per game number was identical to Malholtra.
Now, points per game clips don't really measure effectiveness on the ice. Zack's game was not what many Vancouver fans expected, mainly because we traded a player in Hodgson who was producing now for a project power forward who was not quite NHL ready.
Last year's performance is exactly that, last years. Vancouver fans should be looking forward to what Kassian can bring to the table next season. He's got the right attitude, and wants to get better for the team. A team which hypothetically could have a major opportunity for him next season.
As mentioned in a previous blog post, Kesler is out for the start of the season. This could mean 5'9" forward Jordan Schroeder could theoretically start the season as the team's second line center. 5'9" is incredibly small for the NHL, so it will be important to protect Schroeder with big wingers. Big wingers however, are useless if they don't have talent. So who do the Canucks have that is big and has talent? Well, David Booth is probably a lock to start the season.
Then who else does Vancouver have with size and talent? Nicklas Jensen is one choice, but weather or not the youngster is NHL ready is yet to be determined. That leaves Zack Kassian, who if he plays the way he does in the AHL and in Junior has top six talent with a mean streak bigger than most. That would leave a line that looks like this:
Now, points per game clips don't really measure effectiveness on the ice. Zack's game was not what many Vancouver fans expected, mainly because we traded a player in Hodgson who was producing now for a project power forward who was not quite NHL ready.Last year's performance is exactly that, last years. Vancouver fans should be looking forward to what Kassian can bring to the table next season. He's got the right attitude, and wants to get better for the team. A team which hypothetically could have a major opportunity for him next season.
As mentioned in a previous blog post, Kesler is out for the start of the season. This could mean 5'9" forward Jordan Schroeder could theoretically start the season as the team's second line center. 5'9" is incredibly small for the NHL, so it will be important to protect Schroeder with big wingers. Big wingers however, are useless if they don't have talent. So who do the Canucks have that is big and has talent? Well, David Booth is probably a lock to start the season.
Then who else does Vancouver have with size and talent? Nicklas Jensen is one choice, but weather or not the youngster is NHL ready is yet to be determined. That leaves Zack Kassian, who if he plays the way he does in the AHL and in Junior has top six talent with a mean streak bigger than most. That would leave a line that looks like this:
Booth - Schroeder - Kassian
Not a bad line at all if Schroeder and Kassian can play to their potentials. Two big powerful players who have pretty decent speed, flanking for a small shifty center with a decent shot and good play making ability.
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