Zack Kassian's Future

[vancityluongo]

you could count the amount of canuck players that actually played well against san jose on one hand, and kassian was one of them...yet he's part of the problem?

Expectations are too high. Sedins need to be 1.5PPG, Kesler needs to have a Gordie Howe hattrick in every game, Schneider needs a .960 sv%, Kassian needs to be Bertuzzi circa 2002, etc. When none of that happens, this board goes *******.

Canucks fans in general have just been spoiled the past few years.

 

[Scott Hall]

Am I the only one who thinks Kassian needs a lot of work on his skating? Sure you can say he's big, lumbering, etc... but he has no mobility and his transition from forward skating to backward skating is terrible.

 

[Alflives*]

If anything Kassian has given me something to look forward to next season. IMO he was the best forward in the playoffs

He stood out, because he's big, and skates well. He also stands out for 20 second shifts. I would like to see him in top shape.

 

[Alflives*]

Am I the only one who thinks Kassian needs a lot of work on his skating? Sure you can say he's big, lumbering, etc... but he has no mobility and his transition from forward skating to backward skating is terrible.

Is this a Troll post? He's a great skater. He tires quickly, because he's not fit, but he's technically, an excellent skater. Watch him play. As his ice time (shift length) increases, he stands up straight. He is not able to keep his skating form for very long. That's fitness.

 

[Love]

Am I the only one who thinks Kassian needs a lot of work on his skating? Sure you can say he's big, lumbering, etc... but he has no mobility and his transition from forward skating to backward skating is terrible.

I actually agree with you. His mobility in general looks poor from my POV.

 

[Lonny Bohonos]

Is this a Troll post? He's a great skater. He tires quickly, because he's not fit, but he's technically, an excellent skater. Watch him play. As his ice time (shift length) increases, he stands up straight. He is not able to keep his skating form for very long. That's fitness.

Also probably inefficiency with his positioning/moves. As players get more experienced they get smarter and more efficient.

 

[Scott Hall]

Is this a Troll post? He's a great skater. He tires quickly, because he's not fit, but he's technically, an excellent skater. Watch him play. As his ice time (shift length) increases, he stands up straight. He is not able to keep his skating form for very long. That's fitness.

No not a troll thread. I really think his mobility is the problem and sure his fitness can play into it. I picked on that forward to backward rotation (or backward to forward rotation) because when we played hockey as kids, power skating classes, etc, would always tell you to face your check when you're rotating. Ie: if the player is on your left, you would rotate facing him, not turning your back to him. I've noticed Kassian turn his back a few times to his opponent, which could be a) relying on one side, or b) he read the play wrong.

 

[absolute garbage]

The big issue with Kassian right now is his skating. He is actually really fast for a young, big guy in terms of north-south speed, but he is not quick enough in those small areas. Once he improves that first step speed and strength, he will no longer seem like he's constantly one step behind and therefore able to make a lot more plays.

 

[Jyrki]

The big issue with Kassian right now is his skating. He is actually really fast for a young, big guy in terms of north-south speed, but he is not quick enough in those small areas. Once he improves that first step speed and strength, he will no longer seem like he's constantly one step behind and therefore able to make a lot more plays.

Agreed. It's like he has to make a U-turn every time the play goes the other way. His agility/pivoting needs a lot of work.

 

[absolute garbage]

Agreed. It's like he has to make a U-turn every time the play goes the other way. His agility/pivoting needs a lot of work.

Yeah and once he does that he becomes more efficient with his skating in general, so his stamina improves indirectly.

And what comes to stamina, it's going to improve as his body matures and he trains correctly in the summer. That's a project that's going to take few years especially with a naturally big guy like him.

 

[Alflives*]

No not a troll thread. I really think his mobility is the problem and sure his fitness can play into it. I picked on that forward to backward rotation (or backward to forward rotation) because when we played hockey as kids, power skating classes, etc, would always tell you to face your check when you're rotating. Ie: if the player is on your left, you would rotate facing him, not turning your back to him. I've noticed Kassian turn his back a few times to his opponent, which could be a) relying on one side, or b) he read the play wrong.

If you remember back to when you were taking power skating you should also remember the importance of 'sitting' while skating. Kassian's lack of fitness causes him to 'stand up' when his shift extends beyond 20 seconds. It's fitness, nothing else. It's his choice as an athlete: he can train hard off the ice, and become a very good player, or continue his poor off-ice habbits, and fall out of the league.

 

[BC Ben]

I really liked what I saw this season, in flashes... He had a pair of moves that stood out to me where his stickwork was reminiscent of Mario (yes, I thought to myself "thats a move Mario would make" - mostly due to the size of both the men).

His skating left something to be desired, but only due to the speed of the game and I found him lagging at times.

Give this kid time to become acclimitized to the every day routine... Power forwards, like Dmen, take time to mature. We have a solid player on our hands for sure.

 

[Alflives*]

I really liked what I saw this season, in flashes... He had a pair of moves that stood out to me where his stickwork was reminiscent of Mario (yes, I thought to myself "thats a move Mario would make" - mostly due to the size of both the men).

His skating left something to be desired, but only due to the speed of the game and I found him lagging at times.

Give this kid time to become acclimitized to the every day routine... Power forwards, like Dmen, take time to mature. We have a solid player on our hands for sure.

Nicely done. Kassian does have very 'soft' hands. Did you see Gilbert Perreault play? Skating styles are similar.

 

[Scott Hall]

If you remember back to when you were taking power skating you should also remember the importance of 'sitting' while skating. Kassian's lack of fitness causes him to 'stand up' when his shift extends beyond 20 seconds. It's fitness, nothing else. It's his choice as an athlete: he can train hard off the ice, and become a very good player, or continue his poor off-ice habbits, and fall out of the league.

Honestly, I'm hoping you're right that it's just a conditioning thing, and maturity, experience, etc would get him over the hump - and not a fundamental flaw or inability to think the game that becomes his undoing.

 

[serge2k]

It's a stupid comparison.

Matt Kassian had played 47 NHL games prior to tonight's fluke game and recorded 0 assists.

Zack Kassian played very well in the playoffs this year, and was one of our more noticeable players in limited minutes. Got promoted to the top line as a result.

If Kassian keeps playing like that, the points will come.



Of course he doesn't have Bertuzzi hands or pure skill.

Bertuzzi, for a few seasons, was a top-5 offensive player on the planet. Finished 3rd and 5th in NHL scoring, and in 2001-02 was the best player in the NHL in the 2nd half of the season, and finished the year with the best points/game of any player in the league.

The fact that he probably won't turn into a 90 point superstar doesn't mean that the guy is a bust or a 4th liner - everything about him indicates that he should develop into a 25-goal, 60-point type PF who is an excellent 2nd line player or who can add a different dimension to a #1 line.

Except his lack of production and stretches of poor effort.

i don't get this thread

you could count the amount of canuck players that actually played well against san jose on one hand, and kassian was one of them...yet he's part of the problem?

He is if him playing well is zero points and 2 minors.

 

[BC Ben]

Nicely done. Kassian does have very 'soft' hands. Did you see Gilbert Perreault play? Skating styles are similar.

I do remember Perreault, and that is far and away a better comparison than Mario Lemieux... I was just saying that Kass had a pair of plays where his hands and body positioning looked eerily similar to that of Mr. Magnificent.

I'd hope we have that solid of player in Kass - we don't spectacular on an uneven basis... We need that consistent presence on a game by game basis.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Hopefully he's spending the Summer at the Gary Roberts Fitness Institute.

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Hopefully he's spending the Summer at the Gary Roberts Fitness Institute.

That might get awkward. Hodgson trains there too.

 

[Wheatley]

I'm sure during his end of season interview they'll give him the ol' "shape up or ship out" speech.

He's got 4 months before training camp. I expect results.

 

[Alflives*]

Hopefully he's spending the Summer at the Gary Roberts Fitness Institute.

Or, he spends the summer with the Sedins, and trains, eats and follows their off-season patterns.

 

[sk8er]

It constantly amazes me how some poster can ever pick on a 22 year old kid just finding his way in the NHL and label him a bust because he didn't put up points? So many vets played poorly, they get a pass and kass gets singled out?
Ridiculous..........this guy is going to be an important cog in the team in a year or two.

 

[Wheatley]

It constantly amazes me how some poster can ever pick on a 22 year old kid just finding his way in the NHL and label him a bust because he didn't put up points? So many vets played poorly, they get a pass and kass gets singled out?
Ridiculous..........this guy is going to be an important cog in the team in a year or two.

I think people are just pointing out that he was supposed to be an important cog of the team this year, as Kesler's comment would suggest. But instead he decided that going out to the bar and partying was more important than the success of the team. Obviously that's going to rub people the wrong way.

 

[m9]

Am I the only one who thinks Kassian needs a lot of work on his skating? Sure you can say he's big, lumbering, etc... but he has no mobility and his transition from forward skating to backward skating is terrible.

I hate to simplify things into NHL 13 video game attributes, but he doesn't have great acceleration or agility. His speed is fine. So overall, yes his skating needs work but I think people who say he has good speed are also right.

 

[Wolfhard]

Kassian with skill players: Lets the pressure go. Resorts to his decent offensive game and tries to contribute.

Kassian with grinders on lower lines: Spends his time trying not to make any mistakes. A silent, unnoticed shift is a good one to him.

As Kesler said, he needs to realize that he can be a key contributor on the team. Instead of trying not to make mistakes and keep his head down, he needs to learn when to take chances and try to take control of the game. When he does that, he'll be a core player that can be relied on in many situations.

 

[MajorCanuck]

I hate to simplify things into NHL 13 video game attributes, but he doesn't have great acceleration or agility. His speed is fine. So overall, yes his skating needs work but I think people who say he has good speed are also right.

I dont think you can ever fix the "acceleration" for a guy that big.