Zack Kassian enjoying better times

What a difference a week makes for Zack Kassian.
The Vancouver Canucks winger headed into Friday’s game against Boston with three goals in as many games. The streak followed a different, much uglier one. He was scratched for three straight games and was only put back in the lineup after the Winnipeg Jets manhandled the Canucks and Vancouver had injury troubles among the forward ranks.
“It’s always nice when you’re scoring goals,” he said. “It’s nice to help the team any way you can and, when you’re scoring goals, obviously, you’re helping the team.”
Kassian still only had five goals prior to Friday’s contest. It was evident that he was still in a case of denial after stating earlier last week that he was trying to figure out what was going on when he was scratched.
“In the beginning of the year, I think I was playing better,” he said. “I just wasn’t being rewarded. But I’m finding ways to get back to the dirty areas and score some goals.”
Some observers would question Kassian’s claim that he was playing better in the beginning of the year. His work ethic left little to be desired, and his penchant for penalties and apparent lack of hockey sense and timing were startling when one considers what he has done in the past.
It’s still clear that he has not lived up to former general manager Mike Gillis’ claim that he is a “prototypical power forward.”
Coach Willie Desjardins was clear on why Kassian wasn’t playing. Desjardins did not know what he would get from Kassian game in and game out, so he wasn’t comfortable putting him in the lineup. The next few games and weeks could determine whether Kassian has finally figured out what it takes to be a consistent NHLer.
If he hasn’t, he could be traded by the March 2 NHL trading deadline.