Mum's the word on injuries as the Vancouver Canucks attempt to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs this week.
Centre Brad Richardson and winger Zack Kassian's status came up for discussion after Monday's morning skate in advance of key game against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Canucks coach Willie Desjardins would clearly love to have them back as the post-season approaches, but he was in no mood to clarify their status.
“They’ve been off for a bit,” Desjardins understated. “I’m not going to talk about injuries. This is probably the last time I talk about them. Those are certainly injuries that we did not expect. I thought (Richardson) might play the game after he got hurt. So that injury’s been a long injury. I think, the Kassian one, every day you hope it might be better, and it just hasn’t come along like we hoped."
Richardson, a workhorse third-line centre whose game suits the playoff style, has been limited to 45 games this season because of a foot and ankle problem. He has played only two games since early January, managing a respectable eight goals and 13 assists in what can best be described as grinder and penalty-killing roles. Just when the 30-year-old Belleville, Ont., native thought he was back for the long haul, the injury flared up he played two games in mid-March.
Kassian was reviving his game when he was sidelined with apparent back troubles from which he suffered previously. He has the big body, speed, and physical game that coaches covet during playoffs. But the 24-year-old Windsor, Ont., native has not played since a March 14 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When either Richardson or Kassian will return is anybody's guess. The Canucks conclude the NHL regular season with games Monday against the Kings, Thursday against Arizona and Saturday versus Edmonton.
"I won’t address it after this, but there are (injured players) that we expected to be back sooner," said Desjardins. "It turned out to be a little bit later than we thought it was going to be.”
Showing posts with label Zack Kassian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zack Kassian. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Zack Kassian glad to remain a Canuck
Zack Kassian has eluded the wolf for now.
The wolf was at the door as the NHL trading deadline came and went. Despite facing intense criticism and playing inconsistently for much of the season, Kassian remained a Vancouver Canuck.
“I guess I’m still here and excited to be a part of it,” Kassian said minutes before the noon Monday deadline. “It’s always a little nerve-racking, I think, for anyone. There is a lot more than just playing hockey. You have your family, your house, your condo, your cars … you have a lot of things on the go.
“I love Vancouver, love my team, love my teammates and I definitely want to be here. Obviously if the team didn’t think I fit in, or whatnot, I’d go somewhere else, but my heart is in Vancouver. We want to get into the playoffs and we want to do some damage.”
As he spoke to reporters, it was evident that Kassian was grateful for the chance to remain a Canuck. He appeared much more relaxed than he has recently when facing the media.
General manager Jim Benning admitted that he explored the possibility of trading Kassian, 24, to see whether players “of similar ilk” were available, but wound up keeping him – at least for now.
Kassian’s play has improved greatly in the past few weeks. He now finds himself on a line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin. More importantly, he’s playing with an edge and showing signs that he can produce the offence expected of him when he was acquired in the 2012 deadline-day trade that sent Cody Hodgson to Buffalo. Heading into today’s home game against San Jose, the Vancouver winger had seven goals and two assists in his previous 11 games – a much improved output from earlier in the season, when he was a healthy scratch.
But the jury – which consists of Benning, coach Willie Desjardins and president Trevor Linden – is out until Kassian shows the consistency expected from him.
The wolf was at the door as the NHL trading deadline came and went. Despite facing intense criticism and playing inconsistently for much of the season, Kassian remained a Vancouver Canuck.
“I guess I’m still here and excited to be a part of it,” Kassian said minutes before the noon Monday deadline. “It’s always a little nerve-racking, I think, for anyone. There is a lot more than just playing hockey. You have your family, your house, your condo, your cars … you have a lot of things on the go.
“I love Vancouver, love my team, love my teammates and I definitely want to be here. Obviously if the team didn’t think I fit in, or whatnot, I’d go somewhere else, but my heart is in Vancouver. We want to get into the playoffs and we want to do some damage.”
As he spoke to reporters, it was evident that Kassian was grateful for the chance to remain a Canuck. He appeared much more relaxed than he has recently when facing the media.
General manager Jim Benning admitted that he explored the possibility of trading Kassian, 24, to see whether players “of similar ilk” were available, but wound up keeping him – at least for now.
Kassian’s play has improved greatly in the past few weeks. He now finds himself on a line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin. More importantly, he’s playing with an edge and showing signs that he can produce the offence expected of him when he was acquired in the 2012 deadline-day trade that sent Cody Hodgson to Buffalo. Heading into today’s home game against San Jose, the Vancouver winger had seven goals and two assists in his previous 11 games – a much improved output from earlier in the season, when he was a healthy scratch.
But the jury – which consists of Benning, coach Willie Desjardins and president Trevor Linden – is out until Kassian shows the consistency expected from him.
Friday, February 13, 2015
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.
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.
Bruins-Canucks rivalry lingers four years later
Circa 2011, games between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins generated considerable buzz, along with plenty of venom. Now? Not so much.
But it was evident Friday that some of rivalry that reached a feverish height in the 2011 Stanley Cup final, when Boston overcame a 3-1 series deficit to win in seven games, is still there.
“Maybe a little bit,” said Canucks winger Alex Burrows before Vancouver hosted the Bruins. “I would have liked to win four years ago. But they’re a much different team and we’re a much different team now. So, personally, maybe a little bit. But now, we’ve moved on from that.”
Burrows was at the centre of many brouhahas with the Bruins, notably with Patrice Bergeron in a finger-biting incident. But, in a sign, perhaps, of lingering animosity, Burrows has not chatted amicably with Bergeron or anyone else about the memorable 2011 finals.
“Honestly, I don’t know where I could have (talked to) most of them,” said Burrows. “I know, maybe, (Patrice) Bergeron. But he’s from Quebec City. I’m from Montreal. That’s a four-hour drive. So it’s not like I see them or have any friends on the team, really. I’ve never really gone out of my way to talk about (the 2011 final loss) or anything. But I’ve been to Fenway Park and I’ve watched the Red Sox. That’s probably as close as I’ve gotten to Boston ever since then.”
Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said Boston is still “a team that brings out the best in us,” but the rivalry is not even close to what it used to be.
“When you play against them in the finals, the heat is going to be there,” he said. “But they have a lot of new faces, and we don’t have too many guys left from that year. So it’s different – for sure.”
The lack of games between the teams – only two per season – also prevents things from heating up.
“Yeah, a little bit,” he said. “The only game where the same kind of rivalry has been there was the year after when we played them in Boston.”
Former general manager Mike Gillis believed that his club was never the same after that highly physical and emotional affair. But some Vancouver players, such as Zack Kassian, who was not with the team then, believe that the final loss “still stings.”
Times are much different now, because both the Canucks and Bruins are battling for playoff berths instead of vying for first overall in the NHL like they once did. But Bruins winger Milan Lucic, a Vancouver native, believes there always will be a strong rivalry between the clubs.
“That’s what makes these games so exciting,” he said.
But he also believes the fight for two points is what counts the most now.
“I think that whole revenge thing is out the window as far as the final goes,” said Lucic.
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara also believes the rivalry is much different. He noted that both clubs have changed many players and the Canucks “changed their whole management and coaching staff.”
But Chara thinks the rivalry would “probably” be more intense if the Bruins and Canucks faced each other more often.
“That’s what happens when you play teams more often,” he said. “Different things might cause more more emotional games (to) come out of that, but the schedule is set before the season and, usually, you only play some teams once or twice.”
Bruins coach Claude Julien has been known to stoke the fires between the teams. But the Bruins and Canucks have some ties now following former Boston executive Jim Benning’s appointment as Canucks GM last summer. So Julien actually had some nice things to say about a member of Canucks management.
“Jim is a good man,” said Julien. “He’s a good hockey man. He’s a good person. Great hockey knowledge. Very calm. Sees deficiencies. Sees also assets. I’ve had good talks with Jim. When he was in Boston, we chatted about our team and other players and stuff like that. In my mind, it was too bad that we lost a good man, but I think Vancouver made a really good decision. To be very honest in my comment, I think they got themselves a good man who’s gonna make this team a good team if you give him some time.”
Julien has also been known to say good things about former Canucks coach Alain Vigneault, an old friends. Of course, new Canucks coach Willie Desjardins wasn’t with the club in 2011. But Dejardins, who has won championships at every level, believes that a Boston-Vancouver game will always be emotional for Canuck players who were with the team in 2011.
“I don’t see how it couldn’t be,” said Dejardins. “That’s something you never forget, the guys that were here, the run, that series.
“I think it’ll always mean something to play against Boston.”
But it was evident Friday that some of rivalry that reached a feverish height in the 2011 Stanley Cup final, when Boston overcame a 3-1 series deficit to win in seven games, is still there.
“Maybe a little bit,” said Canucks winger Alex Burrows before Vancouver hosted the Bruins. “I would have liked to win four years ago. But they’re a much different team and we’re a much different team now. So, personally, maybe a little bit. But now, we’ve moved on from that.”
Burrows was at the centre of many brouhahas with the Bruins, notably with Patrice Bergeron in a finger-biting incident. But, in a sign, perhaps, of lingering animosity, Burrows has not chatted amicably with Bergeron or anyone else about the memorable 2011 finals.
“Honestly, I don’t know where I could have (talked to) most of them,” said Burrows. “I know, maybe, (Patrice) Bergeron. But he’s from Quebec City. I’m from Montreal. That’s a four-hour drive. So it’s not like I see them or have any friends on the team, really. I’ve never really gone out of my way to talk about (the 2011 final loss) or anything. But I’ve been to Fenway Park and I’ve watched the Red Sox. That’s probably as close as I’ve gotten to Boston ever since then.”
Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said Boston is still “a team that brings out the best in us,” but the rivalry is not even close to what it used to be.
“When you play against them in the finals, the heat is going to be there,” he said. “But they have a lot of new faces, and we don’t have too many guys left from that year. So it’s different – for sure.”
The lack of games between the teams – only two per season – also prevents things from heating up.
“Yeah, a little bit,” he said. “The only game where the same kind of rivalry has been there was the year after when we played them in Boston.”
Former general manager Mike Gillis believed that his club was never the same after that highly physical and emotional affair. But some Vancouver players, such as Zack Kassian, who was not with the team then, believe that the final loss “still stings.”
Times are much different now, because both the Canucks and Bruins are battling for playoff berths instead of vying for first overall in the NHL like they once did. But Bruins winger Milan Lucic, a Vancouver native, believes there always will be a strong rivalry between the clubs.
“That’s what makes these games so exciting,” he said.
But he also believes the fight for two points is what counts the most now.
“I think that whole revenge thing is out the window as far as the final goes,” said Lucic.
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara also believes the rivalry is much different. He noted that both clubs have changed many players and the Canucks “changed their whole management and coaching staff.”
But Chara thinks the rivalry would “probably” be more intense if the Bruins and Canucks faced each other more often.
“That’s what happens when you play teams more often,” he said. “Different things might cause more more emotional games (to) come out of that, but the schedule is set before the season and, usually, you only play some teams once or twice.”
Bruins coach Claude Julien has been known to stoke the fires between the teams. But the Bruins and Canucks have some ties now following former Boston executive Jim Benning’s appointment as Canucks GM last summer. So Julien actually had some nice things to say about a member of Canucks management.
“Jim is a good man,” said Julien. “He’s a good hockey man. He’s a good person. Great hockey knowledge. Very calm. Sees deficiencies. Sees also assets. I’ve had good talks with Jim. When he was in Boston, we chatted about our team and other players and stuff like that. In my mind, it was too bad that we lost a good man, but I think Vancouver made a really good decision. To be very honest in my comment, I think they got themselves a good man who’s gonna make this team a good team if you give him some time.”
Julien has also been known to say good things about former Canucks coach Alain Vigneault, an old friends. Of course, new Canucks coach Willie Desjardins wasn’t with the club in 2011. But Dejardins, who has won championships at every level, believes that a Boston-Vancouver game will always be emotional for Canuck players who were with the team in 2011.
“I don’t see how it couldn’t be,” said Dejardins. “That’s something you never forget, the guys that were here, the run, that series.
“I think it’ll always mean something to play against Boston.”
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Kassian out to prove critics wrong
Zack Kassian finally returned to the Vancouver Canucks lineup Saturday, but his future with the team remained in doubt.
The winger drew into the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings after sitting out for more than a month. He was sidelined Nov. 25 with a broken finger, but was a healthy scratch in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, a team that plays a rambunctious physical style for which he is supposedly suited.
Although he was listed as injured in the other games, Kassian claimed he was healthy enough to play earlier. And, coach Willie Desjardins did little to suggest otherwise Saturday, all but confirming that Kassian was held out because of sub-par play rather than a sore pinky.
But Desjardins is looking for Kassian to beef up Vancouver’s inconsistent offensive production of late.
“The scoresheet’s not the most critical thing,” said Desjardins. “If you’re playing the right way, you’ll get on the scoresheet. He’s gotta get back to playing where he’s a good presence on the forecheck, he’s playing physical, he’s working hard both ways. If he’s not on there, it’s not like we’re necessarily unhappy with it, but he is a guy that has the potential to get on it, and he can play both ways.”
General manager Jim Benning has indicated publicly that he is willing to consider trades for Kassian, who has not lived up to expectations since he was acquired for then Canuck fan favourite Cody Hodgson from Buffalo. Former Canucks GM Mike Gillis billed Kassian as a “prototypical power forward,” but the 23-year-old Windsor, Ont., native, who was drafted 13th overall by Buffalo in 2009, has rarely proved himself to be one.
While Benning is willing to weigh offers, he also wants to be patient with the development of a young player. However, the extent of Benning’s patience could hinge on the quality of an offer that he receives for Kassian.
The winger was amused that he was subject to considerable speculation even when he was not playing. But he is taking the criticism seriously as he seeks to remain a Canuck.
“I think I can be a big part of this team,” said Kassian. “I believe in it, and I have to make others believe that I’ll do that.”
The winger drew into the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings after sitting out for more than a month. He was sidelined Nov. 25 with a broken finger, but was a healthy scratch in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, a team that plays a rambunctious physical style for which he is supposedly suited.
Although he was listed as injured in the other games, Kassian claimed he was healthy enough to play earlier. And, coach Willie Desjardins did little to suggest otherwise Saturday, all but confirming that Kassian was held out because of sub-par play rather than a sore pinky.
But Desjardins is looking for Kassian to beef up Vancouver’s inconsistent offensive production of late.
“The scoresheet’s not the most critical thing,” said Desjardins. “If you’re playing the right way, you’ll get on the scoresheet. He’s gotta get back to playing where he’s a good presence on the forecheck, he’s playing physical, he’s working hard both ways. If he’s not on there, it’s not like we’re necessarily unhappy with it, but he is a guy that has the potential to get on it, and he can play both ways.”
General manager Jim Benning has indicated publicly that he is willing to consider trades for Kassian, who has not lived up to expectations since he was acquired for then Canuck fan favourite Cody Hodgson from Buffalo. Former Canucks GM Mike Gillis billed Kassian as a “prototypical power forward,” but the 23-year-old Windsor, Ont., native, who was drafted 13th overall by Buffalo in 2009, has rarely proved himself to be one.
While Benning is willing to weigh offers, he also wants to be patient with the development of a young player. However, the extent of Benning’s patience could hinge on the quality of an offer that he receives for Kassian.
The winger was amused that he was subject to considerable speculation even when he was not playing. But he is taking the criticism seriously as he seeks to remain a Canuck.
“I think I can be a big part of this team,” said Kassian. “I believe in it, and I have to make others believe that I’ll do that.”
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