HC20.0 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Over the last several games, I've been watching the third line since Kassassin came back from the injury bug. I've noticed a few things. Kassian's still making bone headed moves, he's not using his body to gain net pressence, he's not powering his way to a scoring opportunity, he's not going for greasy goals. But Shawn Matthias is doing those things. He is doing exactly what we want Kassian to do. He is going to the net, he is using his body to get net pressence, he's not scoring, but getting more opportunities. The biggest thing is he's powering to the net. He is emerging as what we all expected of Kassian, a power forward. Kassian's had a disappointing season, no denying that. Even with all the trade talk of him, I'm not gonna write him off yet, cause he could bounce back, but the clock is ticking for Zack. But even if he emerges, is he now redundant? Matthias is doing his job for him and doing it well. Does this amp up the pressure to perform for Kassian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Doctor Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 If they both are playing at the top of their game consistantly, I don't think they are redundant. However, when both are not being aggresive, it sure looks that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 In answer to the thread question: I don't think so. Matthias is a solid, hard working player, but he's a third line checker more than anything else. Kassian, has far more natural talent and has the potential to become a dominant power forward. He just has to realize that potential and shore up the mental aspect of his game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Zamboni Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 kassian makes kassian redundant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHodgson9 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 No. They are different types of players. Matthias skates hard and power moves to the net, uses his speed and size to get around defenders, and really brings it consistently. Kassian has tremendous potential, all the tools (speed, size, skill, power, puck-protection, good vision, etc.) but just needs time to develop into a better player. If kass is only being paid $1M-$2M/season, I'd rather have him on the team than trade him away for an asset that doesn't have his upside. Sedin Sedin Vrbata Matthias Bonino Burrows Hansen Horvat Dorsett Kassian Richardson Higgins Vey If Kassian just hits, plays physical on the 4th line, and avoids dumb penalties, I'm okay with him being in the lineup. It would be nice if he played like a dominant power forward every night, but I'm patient, and can wait a few years for him to graduate into the top-6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRussianRocket. Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Kassian - the way he is currently play - is basically our Dustin Penner. He's not consistent, shows flashes of what he can become, has tools that let him play with an edge needed against bigger western conference teams, and you just have to hope he can step up when the time comes. It's pretty much what Penner's career was and so far looks like what Kassian's will be since he's not given a longer leash and is restricted to what he can do. Penner was always a player who played on and off and even though the team's he played for were fed up of the inconsistency, they knew it was worth holding onto him because he's break through some time or later and help the team with the x factor he had. Likewise, as irritating as it is to see Zack out there, maybe the Canucks can use him like a Penner. Work with him, just live with the ups and downs, and hope he can come through in games against the tougher teams where we need players like him. If so, I'd be happy. Not the greatest result with what we expected but it's better than nothing imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Shawn Matthias. 26 years old 374 games played 118 points. Almost all in the ultra weak south east division and playing pp time and top 6 minutes at times on the Florida Panthers. UFA at seasons end could just basically walk Zack Kassian. 24 years 1 week old 181 games played 55 points. All in the bottom 6 with no PP time and 3rd and 4th line time and line mates. We own this kid no threat of walking anytime soon Just food for thought when speaking of redundancy. Looking at ice time, starts age point totals and how those points were obtained as well as upcoming player status for contracts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Barzal Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 No. Kassian has more skill and hockey IQ in his pinky finger than Matthias will ever have. The only thing causing the stark difference in what you see on the ice is effort level and motivation. For that alone I'd keep Matthias over Kassian. It's not worth it slogging over developing a guy who doesn't care about how he plays or in the worst case scenario - doesn't want to be here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocanuck Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 If and i stress if kassian figures out his role with effort, there is no comparison. More skill and can throw em when needed.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 In a case of redundancy you should always lose the older and more expensive player. This is what the Hawks have been doing for years and it's worked quite well for them. As for us, we're in a rebuild phase, so there should be a movement to sell valued UFA's for picks coming fairly quickly here. If i'm Benning, i'm doing it right now, before he goes down to injury as well. btw, Anyone notice that Buffalo's and Edmonton's attendance figures have remained steady over these years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuxfanabroad Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I wonder if Kassian to Mtl could fly? Seems they're always looking for another lunkhead, & Weisy worked out nicely. Kassian & Lack Tokarski & their 2015 1st? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithers joe Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 if your a goal scorer like vrbata: a playmaker like the sedins: a strong defensive player like burrows: a gritty energy guy like dorsett then that's the way you have to play...i know the type of player, they want zack to be, but i can't tell which group he fits into right now....if your not contributing to the offense side of the game than you better be sound defensively and physically... is there a place where kassian can thrive?....i hope he finds some kind of nitch....how do you teach consistency to someone who has none...?...a lot of coaches here have tried to get him going but all have failed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Burrows 14 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 That's like saying does Crosby make Malkin redundant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me_ Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 That's like saying does Crosby make Malkin redundant ...divided by 74. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stawns Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 if your a goal scorer like vrbata: a playmaker like the sedins: a strong defensive player like burrows: a gritty energy guy like dorsett then that's the way you have to play...i know the type of player, they want zack to be, but i can't tell which group he fits into right now....if your not contributing to the offense side of the game than you better be sound defensively and physically... is there a place where kassian can thrive?....i hope he finds some kind of nitch....how do you teach consistency to someone who has none...?...a lot of coaches here have tried to get him going but all have failed.... there's absolutely nothing wrong with Kass' defensive game. He's actually quite a good defensive player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuck73_3 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I wonder if Kassian to Mtl could fly? Seems they're always looking for another lunkhead, & Weisy worked out nicely. Kassian & Lack Tokarski & their 2015 1st? why would we take back a goalie when we already have a growing logjam in net? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuxfanabroad Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 ^Not sure..the crystal ball has started cloudin' over, once again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter.S-Kerouac Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 kassian makes kassian redundant. Actually this sums it up! He's so frustrating to watch, so much potential but his heart........... When he's fired up he's a beast but most of the time he's just plain passive. Personally since the stick swinging incident I haven't seen him show much emotion on the ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalky Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Matthias needs crazier hair and eyes to make Kassian redundant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry Goose Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I really like the idea of having power forwards play together. If Kassian gets moved because he isn`t living up to expectations so be it. I`d like to see a similar player match up with Matthais (and I`d like to see the Canucks keep him too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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