on the cycle Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Hoping he turns it around and competes for a NHL spot in a couple years. I really like Cassels, always thought of him as a Dave Bolland type (Chicago version) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklehead80 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 What kind of minutes is he playing this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrible.dee Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Nice to hear he's looking a little better but goddamn it kid, make a frigging play! If you don't know how ask your Dad Maybe set up that fat kid kid who is always hung over, he could use a couple as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horvats_Big_Head Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 its funny because earlier in the year i got flamed for basically saying he won't make the nhl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laheys Liquor Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 10 hours ago, Horvats_Big_Head said: its funny because earlier in the year i got flamed for basically saying he won't make the nhl Cool, got the crystal ball out? Can you tell me the next lotto's winning #'s while you are at it? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 10 hours ago, Horvats_Big_Head said: its funny because earlier in the year i got flamed for basically saying he won't make the nhl You got flamed because it's an ignorant comment to make about a 21 year old kid who was a bit of a long shot and long term project to begin with. Cassel's got the tools to possibly become a bottom 6 NHL'er with hard work and time. Whether he makes it or not will depend a lot on both those things and a bit of luck. He may only ever be an AHL'er or he may become a bottom 6/depth NHL'er. It's a pretty fine line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Cassels ranks #17 in the Canucks Army midterm rankings: http://canucksarmy.com/2017/1/12/canucks-army-midterm-prospect-rankings-18-17 Open spoiler below to read their full writeup: #17: COLE CASSELS Previous Ranking: 15th Position: Centre - Shoots: Right - Height: - 6'0" - Weight: 179 lbs Cole Cassels story is well chronicled in this space as well as many others. Taken in the 3rd round (85th overall) at the 2013 draft, Cassels gradually improved his numbers over his OHL career, which culminated in an epic playoff series against Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters, in which Cassels was praised for "shutting down" McDavid (relatively speaking at least; McDavid's contributions at even strength were noticeably limited). Cassels was flying high, and heading into the 2015-16 season, there were questions about just how long it would be in his first professional season before he earned his first call up. Canucks Army had him ranked as the seventh best Canucks prospect at that point, and you can see his rise to prominence in this chart - as well as his precipitous fall. Cassels' first year in Utica did not go as hoped or expected. Having played through an abdominal injury through much of his final junior year, he underwent offseason surgery that in turn hampered his ability to properly train for the upcoming season. As a result, he spent much of the season trying to play catch up - and it took him 21 games to get his first AHL goal. The entire ordeal wreaked havoc on him psychologically. This year-to-year projection shows his rise and fall as he transferred from junior to professional hockey. This season was supposed to be a fresh start for Cassels, who was granted the appropriate amount of time to properly train in the offseason. However, after 28 games, Cassels has just four points, all of them goals. While that represents double the output he managed last season, it's still not what we were hoping for, and combined with the fact that he's another year older, it's only kept his projections in decline. Just a few months ago, I was fairly optimistic of his ability to resuscitate his career. In August, I ended his Preseason Ranking with an air of hopefulness: With expectations lowered and a full off-season of good health and complete training, he should be about to get back on track. Travis Green still seems to have faith in Cassels and believes that with a good off-season, he can come in and be a main contributor in Utica. We'll be hoping for a return to form in Cassels' future, and that he can use that unfortunate experience to fuel him, rather than sink him. Instead, his chances of becoming a full time NHLer seem to be diminishing with each passing month. It's still not out of the question that he finds another gear - he's still got another year and a year remaining on his ELC. If he does manage to make it, the odds are higher that it will be as a replacement level player, as many of his statistical matches were (see below), where even if he hits 200 games, it's not as a player who's in the lineup each and every night. Cassels' four goals and no assists is a bit ironic considering that one of my main criticisms of him is that he tends to be an over-passer. He turns down situations to shoot the puck in favour of finding a teammate - sometimes even when the teammate is in a less advantageous shooting position. Despite his good vision and passing ability, it hasn't amounted to any helpers yet this campaign. A portion of this could be due to his linemates: typically deployed as Utica's fourth line center, Cassels is often saddled with less experienced wingers (although not necessarily less skilled - smaller skilled players like Michael Carcone and Cody Kunyk frequently flank him). Cassels has managed to find himself a niche as an important penalty killer. After Travis Green rolls out Wacey Hamilton and Carter Bancks as his primary unit, Cassels is almost always on the second pairing out of the gate, usually with Darren Archibald. He also doesn't see his role reduced late in games, particular when the Comets are trying to nurse a lead. The fact that Green trusts him can only help going forwards. If Cassels can find a little more of an offensive gear, it's not out of the question that we could see him in a Canucks uniform one day. He's not exactly trending in the right direction at this point, but he's not at the end of his rope either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckledraggin Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 1 1/2 years left to figure it out right? In the salary cap era everything should be run using the Detroit model. It means...sorry son. You have to wait until next year, because the contract says so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger-Hearted Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Is Cassels hurt? He didn't play tonight nor the previous game on Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UticaHockey Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 12 hours ago, Tiger-Hearted said: Is Cassels hurt? He didn't play tonight nor the previous game on Tuesday. Sick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noble 6 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Has anyone watched Cassels play this year? I imagine his stats aren't overwhelming but he should be showing signs of putting it together defensively and working hard every shift. Does he look like he could have an NHL career ahead of him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beary Sweet Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 5 hours ago, Horvat is a Boss said: Has anyone watched Cassels play this year? I imagine his stats aren't overwhelming but he should be showing signs of putting it together defensively and working hard every shift. Does he look like he could have an NHL career ahead of him? I wouldn't say he has a NHL career ahead of him since he still has a lot in his game that he has to improve on. But if he does manage to put it all together, he has a good shot of having a successful NHL career as a bottom 6 forward. He played pretty well tonight as I think he was scratched last night, not sure about that part though. He was doing the little things right, forechecking well, being positional sound but he still has to work on his offensive game. If he gets that part of his game going, he's going to be a solid NHLer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 14 hours ago, Beary Sweet said: I wouldn't say he has a NHL career ahead of him since he still has a lot in his game that he has to improve on. But if he does manage to put it all together, he has a good shot of having a successful NHL career as a bottom 6 forward. He played pretty well tonight as I think he was scratched last night, not sure about that part though. He was doing the little things right, forechecking well, being positional sound but he still has to work on his offensive game. If he gets that part of his game going, he's going to be a solid NHLer 2nd pro season for Cassels. Another year in Utica will not hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noble 6 Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 16 hours ago, Beary Sweet said: I wouldn't say he has a NHL career ahead of him since he still has a lot in his game that he has to improve on. But if he does manage to put it all together, he has a good shot of having a successful NHL career as a bottom 6 forward. He played pretty well tonight as I think he was scratched last night, not sure about that part though. He was doing the little things right, forechecking well, being positional sound but he still has to work on his offensive game. If he gets that part of his game going, he's going to be a solid NHLer Thanks for the update. Sounds like he's adjusting defensively to the AHL now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaBamba Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Why not send him to the Aces? I mean, the guy clearly needs to regain his mojo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horvats_Big_Head Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 It is make or break next year for him. If he can't find a way to challenge for a roster spot by then we will probably release him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 "He's taking big face-offs & he's big on special teams. He might not be on scoresheets, but he's helping in other ways." - Ben Birnell (Utica Comets reporter) on Cassels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stawns Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I'm very impressed with Cassels in the last few months, he's really putting it together. This is the first time I've actually thought he has a chance to make it. So smart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY_4_NAZZY Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Sounds like he is starting to find his ground and his niche in the game. Good to hear. Also if anyone is interested, Cassels still got some jam to his game...something the big club sorely lacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N4ZZY Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 21 minutes ago, stawns said: I'm very impressed with Cassels in the last few months, he's really putting it together. This is the first time I've actually thought he has a chance to make it. So smart our fanbase is so impatient. i remember not too long ago where we questioned whether he was going to make it at all. even at the AHL level. glad to see that he's been given time to just mature as a person and for his game to mature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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