This is Zack Kassian. He is a load (6.03, 215) and is a quality NHL prospect. He was traded from the Petes to Windsor this spring and scored 16 points in 19 playoff games during the Spitfires run.Kassian has run into a little bit of trouble and it looks like the Sabres have backed off (at least for a time) in their pursuit of getting the young man signed.
Based on what we read the incident was a fairly typical bar fight (a bunch of locals getting drunk enough to find the biggest, toughest guy in the bar and that's probably
Kassian). The Sabres themselves say they're not going to abandon him.
If the Oilers are serious about rebuilding properly (and I don't think they have to go scorched earth but they apparently do) then a guy like Kassian is a more attractive trade option that a more established winger like Blake Wheeler (younger, closer to the Gagner-Hall median age cluster, less expensive contract).
Glen Sather was a brilliant manager in several ways, and one of them was in getting a lot of quality from the scrap heap. Craig MacTavish was the ultimate example, but the glory years Oilers had any number of kids who had either stalled as prospects or run afoul of authority.
It is one way for an NHL team to procure more talent than the other 29 teams. Everyone has their draft bullets, everyone scouts colleges and Europe for free agents. Sather became the patron saint of the lost cause and it served him well.
Kassian is certainly no lost cause and from all reports is a quality player and individual. He also happens to be exactly what the Edmonton Oilers need for their cluster of young, undersized skill-forwards.
Would Glen Sather draft Kiril Kabanov?
ReplyDeleteIn the third round.
ReplyDeleteHow about for Nash?
ReplyDeleteI like the kid. Would the sabres give him up for Nash straight up?
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly would Regier need to give up Kassian?
ReplyDeleteGiven that his offense fell down in his last year of junior, I'm not sure you can even project him to be a top 6 forward.
The Oilers had Zach Kassian, his name was Curtis Glencross.
Unless Regier wants some minute men, what else to give up for this guy?
Riley Nash + 3 6th round picks? :-)
Everyone speculated that they drafted him to complement and to a lesser extent protect their very skilled, and somewhat smaller lineup from the Milan Lucics and Colton Orrs of their division.
ReplyDeleteNothing against Gaustad or McCormick, but Kassian's mix of skill, size, and pugnacity would potentially allow him to run on the top 2 lines effectively.
Buffalo likes to draft well and develop their own talent. They also have a decent track record of their own lost cause reclamation projects in one Danny Briere. They likely won't trade Kassian unless the return was very good. Wonder what they would take to give him up?
Also if Kabanov was available at 30-40 I'd be sorely tempted to take him. Then again I'm no scout or expert, I just think he's a swing for the fences with a very good chance of panning out pick.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletepersonally, i'd LOVE to see the Oilers make a play for Kassian, and also Kyle Beach of the Hawks, as was talked about earlier this year. we have some assets, but if these two teams ever talked seriously about trading these two prospects, they would want 1st round picks back and would ask for MPS, Eberle, Gagner at the very least as well, IMO. umm....no thanx! and sorry, but Riley Nash alone isn't going to get you either player.
ReplyDeleteFine, Riley Nash and JFJ. :D
ReplyDeleteI would trade for Kassian in a second he is far more skilled than Lucic and is just as tough. I would offer someone like Penner who only has two years left on his contract and see if the sabers bite.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first thought when I saw the story about Kassian getting arrested.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if, given the desire for some toughness and some offence from the back end (rumours linking them to Kaberle), the Sabres would take Souray, JFJ and the Preds' 2nd for him and Hecht (to make the salaries work).
I'm curious about what everyone thinks constitutes a scorched earth rebuilding process?
ReplyDeleteIn yesterday's post the core of the team's current NHL'ers were identified as Gagner, Hemsky, Penner, Gilbert and Whitney (and let's throw Horcoff in as well; expensive but very necessary unless adequately replaced).
If on say July 3rd or so, all six of these players are still with the team and an effort has been made to plug the holes on D and the wing (size) with at least two or three vets, is it safe to say we're building on the fly?
If however, one or two of Hemsky, Penner or even Horc along with some dead weight (nils, POS, Moreau)are moved to bring in players like Kassian and other youngsters who would then be projected to fill holes in the future then I guess the scorched earth approach will be confirmed.
and finally what if a few vets are plugged into the lineup from the shallow end of free agency and our dead weight players are enough to acquire a few prospects to eventually replace said veterans? would the "summer of Steve" start to look a move in the right direction?
I didn't think when I started this reply I'd have every possible scenario that could unfold in these next three weeks rolling around in my head so I'll just leave it at that and stop typing.
As per the bar fight, I don't see any negatives about that. It seems like a learning oppertunity for the guy (maybe for the other guy too).
ReplyDelete"The Oilers had Zach Kassian, his name was Curtis Glencross."
ReplyDeletehuh?
Kassian's bets attribute is he can fight. Can Glencross fight?
Glencross' best attribute is his speed. Can Kassian skate?
That might be the worst comparison I've ever seen. Like saying we don't need Dylan McIlrath because we already have Taylor Chorney.
There is no way that Buffalo gives up on Kassian or considers trading him right now.
ReplyDelete"There is no way that Buffalo gives up on Kassian or considers trading him right now."
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
And if they did put him on the block I'd expect Burke to outbid every other team.
From Buffalo's perspective I would want Tom Gilbert if I traded Kassian to Edmonton.
//And if they did put him on the block I'd expect Burke to outbid every other team//
ReplyDeleteWith what?
Glencross can fight.
ReplyDeleteNot a heavy weight, but helps fill the need for team toughness.
Here is what Hockey's Future says about Kassain:
"The 6'3, 205-pound right winger is a power forward prospect. He has imposing size and has shown a willingness to use it. While he may not have as much offensive upside as other forwards at the top of the draft order, Kassian's total package of size, checking, and energetic play make him an appealing addition to a club looking for a top-six forward who can open up the ice for other teammates. An ability to put the puck in the net adds to his value as he has proven he won't be an offensive liability with more skilled teammates."
That sounds a lot like what Glencross brings, especially when Sutter plays him with Iginla
Glencross is faster and little smaller, but the role is similar.
The McIlrath/Chorney comparison holds no water, their roles are very different.
Glencross can fight. Just ask his mom.
ReplyDeleteHNIC interviewed Glencross's mom shortly after his arrival in Edmonton and in a great 'Don Cherry moment' she said matter-of-factly 'he can handle himself'.
I think she is an ER nurse, so her comfort level with the violence may come from firsthand experience with the human body's ability to heal itself.
Laraque has often said his mom can't watch him fight.
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ReplyDeleteWould love to see Oilers make a pitch for Kassian.
ReplyDeleteWhy not Stafford, Kassian to Edm
Chorney,O'Sullivan and a 2nd round draft pick
Would love to see Oilers make a pitch for Kassian.
ReplyDeleteWhy not Stafford, Kassian to Edm
Chorney,O'Sullivan and a 2nd round draft pick
That looks like a whole lotta nothin' for a couple of somethin's.
Vince, the level of activity you propose Tambellini undergoing is more than he has done his entire tenure (GM stints one through three) combined. It just ain't gonna happen.
I am fully resigned to us coming up with excellent solutions and proposals here and then watching as little or nothing useful is done beyond buying out a couple of players and leaving UFA and RFA possibilities twisting in the wind. Summer of Steve is going to be the equivalent of a C-grade buddy comedy where lots gets said, but nothing worthwile occurs.
Mentioned this a few months back, but this is exactly the kind of player we need. There are a few other "failed" 1st rounders out there with size, AHL experience and enough skill to play a regular shift.
ReplyDelete1. Anthony Stewart
- 6'2, 240 lbs. Only 12 goals in the minors this past year. +3, 127 PIM's. Not the scoring you would expect when he was drafted, but he is a solid, cheap big winger who is solid in both zones. In the playoffs this past year he 9 goals and 12 pts in 13 games. He stepped up huge, and this is the kind of player the NHL roster could use, not to mention OKLA. He could be had for a mid round pick, or a small NHL roster player. He plays for the Atlanta AHL team (chicago wolves) and Atlanta has cap space and a need for NHL players. So I wonder if an O'Sullivan or Nilsson could get us a player like Stewart.
2. Hugh Jessiman
- Another former 1st round pick stuck in the minors who has solid numbers after 5 years in the AHL. 6'6, 224 lbs. 20 goals, 111 PIM's. Part of Nashville's farm team in Milwaukee. Not sure what we would need to give up, but he's another coke machine that can somewhat play and come cheaply. Would a player like Chorney get him?
HOW DO YOU FIGURE A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHINGS FOR SOMETHING?
ReplyDeleteDREW STAFFORD IS GOING TO BE A GOOD PLAYER,AND NEEDS A SCENERY CHANGE
SAME AS O'SHULLIVAN NEEDS, AND CHORNEY AND A 2ND ROUNDER(NASHVILLES) FOR KASSIAN(IST ROUNDER ) LAST YR IS GOOD VALUE
Quick note. Jessiman is a UFA according to Capgeek. Costs nothing but money. AHL vet with size and grit.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Stewart is an RFA.
I'm not a fan of Kassian.
ReplyDeleteHe generates a lot of his offense from simply being bigger and stronger than most other players... and even his offense is not that impressive considering his age.
When he steps up, he loses almost every advantage he currently has now. Take those away and there isn't much there.
Rewriting it in block capitals doesn't make it a better idea.
ReplyDeleteBut writing it in free verse made it a lot more entertaining.
ReplyDelete"How Do You Figure a Whole Lot of Nothings" is actually my favorite cut on my "Gershwin Songbook: 1919-1924" CD.
ReplyDeleteLaraque has often said his mom can't watch him fight.
ReplyDeleteDidn't he sign with Montreal specifically so his mother would have the chance to watch him play? That probably should have been a warning sign to the Habs.
Hey, it could be worse. In yesterday's "Ask Matty" feature in the Journal, one starry-eyed reader proposed a trade of Sheldon Souray, Robert Nilsson, Toni Rajala and a second rounder (in 2011, natch) for Nathan Horton AND the #3 overall pick!
ReplyDeleteThat would be even better than the Shayne Corson trade (assets in, problems out), and I don't think we'll see its like again.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteummm, ahhh, let me put it more simply.
O'Sullivan and Chorney are nothing. Numbers and seen-him-good tell that story equally. Stafford is something and Kassian has draft pedigree. I don't think they are available for what you suggested.
That was my point.
Oh man, thanks for the belly laugh AV. And Anon, your overreaction was priceless. BTW, Bar Qu was saying our assets were nothing. If we fleeced Buff for Stafford and Kassian with that deal, I would get a tattoo of Tambellini's face on my own face.
ReplyDeleteIf we can't pry Zack Kassian away from the Sabres for assets we don't want, how about making a play for another apple from the Kassian tree?: Zack's older, bigger, meaner brother Matt.
ReplyDeleteHe's in the Minnesota system I believe, has played the last couple of seasons in the AHL, 6'5", 245lbs, left winger. He may not bring the offense that Zack does but he can bang for sure and could possibly fill a need for us on the wings and would likely be a little easier for us to acquire.
Just sayin'...
A little more background on Matt Kassian:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=73423
Art: that was hilarious. Funniest post I've read in quite a while.
ReplyDeleteBar Qu,
ReplyDeleteI hope don't you mind me saying I hope your wrong....guess we'll know for sure about a month from now.
Vince,
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right. I prefer you to be right. For the sake of the franchise, you need to be right.
History makes me pessimistic though.
Woody, Matt Kassian is not related to Zack. Matt is actually from Edmonton and played in the W
ReplyDeleteSouray to Buffalo. They need a PP quarterback, although Vanek better keep his head up when that puck meets the big fella's stick.
ReplyDeleteSend Kassian back with a project and call it a win-win deal.
ualbert:
ReplyDeleteI guess since one played in the O and the other in the 'dub it is unlikely thay are from the same clan unless the family made a cross country move at some point. I assumed they were brothers based on what a buddy had said, I guess that fact checking thing can pay off even if you aren't Michael Moore. Sorry for the incorrect info.
Does anybody else feel like Matt "I'm not Zack's brother" Kassian could help the Oilers?
I have no idea what Tallon will want for Horton, and it probably depends on what sort of timeline to a winning team that the owners will endure (and any self-imposed salary cap ceiling)... but I'd have to think a 1st round draft pick is near the top of the the list. Or a decent young defenceman on a good contract.
ReplyDeletewoody, what would we have to lose? if Matt Kassian did come here, we would have a big, tough player on the roster if he makes the team, if not, then OKC would get a big, tough forward. i heard this suggestion on the radio a few months ago, along with another Minnesota player, John Scott.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Woody, but no. I have no idea what kind of skater Matt might be, but his boxcars are sitting in a long-forgotten railway siding somewhere south of Fort Vermilion.
ReplyDeleteWe already have a couple of Coke fridges were letting go with similar production.
Anonymous
ReplyDeleteNo way Buffalo makes that deal. But if Buffalo does not sign Kassian does he go back into the draft
Kassian and Glencross are not comparables. Glencross has crazy speed and Kassian is a bit slow on his skates.
ReplyDeleteKassian is Penner but younger. Perhaps Penner can teach him his new ways.
If Darcy Regier see's "Edmonton Oilers" on his call display, does he even pick up the phone, or does talking to Tambo rather than Lowe make him forget that big fat $7.143M cap hit sitting next to Vanek's name at the top of his salary spreadsheet?
ReplyDeletePhil: Do you think Regier's more angry about the offer sheet or about the fact that he could have Jordan Eberle, MPS, and Taylor Hall (with another pick to go) right now?
ReplyDelete(Although, Vanek theoretically could've changed the course of history, but I'm not sure he has been a substantially more useful player than Penner + whatever we spent the additional $3MM on. He certainly would not have helped this team more than Penner this year.)
Kassian looked slow to me at Memorial Cup.
ReplyDeleteOffer up problem for problem, Nash for Kassian.
Might as well trade Nash as he ain't coming here.
Rob Blake retiring apparently.
ReplyDeleteCue the Souray to SJS rumors.
ReplyDeleteI just heard that there was something brewing between San Jose and Edmonton involving Souray and Heatley.
ReplyDeleteSouray to Buffalo. They need a PP quarterback
ReplyDeleteSouray is not a PP QB
He's Jason Smith with a big ol' slapshot.
But, I agree, the Sabres seem a good destination for Souray. They're losing a couple of veteran D-guys.
Regarding Vanek, what a bullet we dodged when Buffalo matched that offer, eh? The guy got 53 points last year!
ReplyDeleteAnd we have given up four - count them FOUR - first round draft picks. Unbe-effing-lievable.
It would have ruined the Oilers for years to come. No MPS, No Taylor Hall, no pick next year. Wow.
~would~ have given up
ReplyDeleteDo you think Regier's more angry about the offer sheet or about the fact that he could have Jordan Eberle, MPS, and Taylor Hall (with another pick to go) right now?
ReplyDeleteNot entirely true Quain. They wouldn't have Eberle as he was an Anaheim Ducks first rounder that we acquired for "5 assets" Pronger. The Oilers 2008 first rounder actually turned out to be Tyler Myers after some swapping of draft picks between apparently 4 teams in one of the most convoluted draft day trades I've every seen (seriously, http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=94206 show trades tab). We could just saw off and call the 2008 pick Jake Gardiner.
DG:
ReplyDeleteAnd be left wondering if we would be talking about how awesome it is to have Stamkos or Doughty if we hadn't signed Souray or Penner...
Slow guy who didn't seem to have too much of an IQ in interviews (Seriously it's terrible) and who regressed from his draft year below PPG on a better team?
ReplyDeleteNo thank you.
Unless the cost is something we don't want anyway, i'm not touching that.
Mr D...
ReplyDeleteRegier admitted in a Buffalo paper this week that negotiations for extensions to Tallinder and Lydman were underway.
That 2008 draft looks like it could become something, a bit like 2003.
ReplyDeleteOnly Teubert, Colborne, Gardiner, Cuma, Leveille and Mcollum seem to have not progressed or in a marginal way. Everyone else seems to be right on track to get to the show, or is already there.
Kassian has a solid skill level. He's a slightly better than average puck handler and has decent hands. His lack of agility stops him from using those tools though unless he's given enough time and space. If he can figure out how to adjust his game for NHL speed with experience, I think he can put up 50+ pts, but that's a big if based on how he's progressed so far.
ReplyDelete