Kassian

[Old_Smokie]

Been playing very well. Better than I imagined to be honest.... my only is what are predictions for the rest of this year. I know he is getting a bit more time/opportunity due to the injuries. Is he able to get the ice time and continuing to make an impact from here on out?

[bondon]

Really depends on the freedom you have with regards to add/drops. Young players like him are tough to read on a large time frame because they can easily be dropped down after a couple of sub par games.

I will say this, Kassian looks phenomenal out there. Basically everything that the Canucks were hoping they were getting when they dealt Hodgson for him. Given your settings, if you have a decent amount of freedom with regards to add/drops I'd give him a whirl while he's hot

[andrewklassen]

I'm a NUCKS homer and I've been trying to watch all the games I can and I really like what I've been seeing from Kassian. There was some talk during the intermisison of last night's game that VAN is so pleased right now with what they've seen from Kassian they would trade Hodgson away again for him [right now] even if Hodgson loved VAN and had wanted to stay.

As for where Kassian goes from here is impossible to fully predict with key contributors like Kesler and Booth out of the lineup right now. I will say this, Kassian looks like he will stick with Sedin's at even strength. He plays the cycle game down low really well with his big frame and he's nearly impossible to move from in front of the net. He's not afraid to park there and he has the hands to put pucks home from in tight. This would already make him a 50-60 point producer playing with Sedins [in a full season of course].

He's forced his way onto the 1st PP and it's simply my opinion, but I don't think Kesler is going to bump him off when he returns. Kassian is too valuable a piece in front of the net and he's better than Kesler is there. Either VAN lets Kesler anchor the 2nd PP or he may usurp one of the D on the top unit...Hamhuis is playing there right now [that's how well Garrison is doing].

I think right now he's a 55 point player with upside as he's only starting to scratch the surface of his ability and confidence as a player. I'm not sure he has Bertuzzi type upside. I would peg him for 30-35 points this season with a goal-heavy emphasis.