As a non-Canucks fan, you wont understand why we're pissed.
We now have no 2nd PP unit center, no insurance at the top 6 center position if Kesler or Hank get injured in the playoffs like last year , we lose a player who provided very good scoring depth, and we give up someone who has more potential than the guy we got back.
You know, as enthusiastic as I am about acquiring a player like Kassian. I feel there's a hole on that third line now. It was a luxury having a player of Hodgson's caliber centering that line. I can't imagine Pahlsson, Lapierre or Malhotra will be able to bring the same two-way threat Hodgson does. I'm cautiously optimistic but if Kesler gets injured or Sedin inevitably disappears... this could be a really bad thing.
Yeah our third line will now be more of a checking line than a scoring line.
Although Kassian may be a better fit with this organization long term, I think Cody is the better player (definately now, and more than likely in the future).
We are a contender now and Cody provided clutch goals and gave us a 2nd powerplay unit. (I hope they move Kesler back to 2nd PP, he isn't doing anything for the top PP at the moment, and Higgins, Burrows, or Booth could be quality top PP wingers.)
Kassian struggling to stay on Buffalo's roster, and Gragnani struggling to stay in the line up is concerning for a team that wants to compete for a cup. We are going to have to hope with support of quality players here these players can up their games, or this will be a bad move short term.
Long term it is going to depend on Gragnani in my opinion. If he can be a solid 4/5 defensemen (and play the right side), and Kassian a 2nd line powerforward, we may break even on the deal.
Can't believe the hate for this trade from Canuck fans. Kassian will be a monster for you guys and you got a good defensive centerman who will win most of his draws. Kassian can be that 60 point player you just lost but with a lot of physicality. Pretty shocked to see how many people are calling this not only a trade they don't like, but a horrible and ridiculous trade? You clearly don't realize what you're getting in Kassian.
OK Canucks fans chill the **** out this isn't nearly as bad as you think...
Kassian is a pretty good prospect (Buffalo's number 2 according to HF) still very young, great size and plays the game like a wild bull. EXACTLY what we needed. Not some bum, you just haven't seen him yet.
Gragnani is a 24 year old offensive specimen, put up 60+ points in the AHL last year and is playing in the NHL now. Sabres were playing him 18-19 minutes a night. They can come say he sucks all they want, their coach didn't think so. With a good partenar he could be a solid pick-up.
It hurts to give up Hodgson of course, but he had his limits. Speed and strength will alway work against him. Let's just calm down and look at this rationally. It's really not that bad of a deal if you stop to look at it.
As a non-Canucks fan, you wont understand why we're pissed.
We now have no 2nd PP unit center, no insurance at the top 6 center position if Kesler or Hank get injured in the playoffs like last year , we lose a player who provided very good scoring depth, and we give up someone who has more potential than the guy we got back.
IF Kesler or Sedin get hurt, the game will turn into a lot more physical battle and grind it out. Kassian helps you more then Hodgson.
Also how do you not have a 2nd pp center? Kesler can't play there?
I'm tentatively content with the deal. Hodgson wasn't going to leave the third line any time soon, and Kassian looks to be a leviathan. Moreover, I've learned to trust Gillis' judgement.
Although Kassian may be a better fit with this organization long term, I think Cody is the better player (definately now, and more than likely in the future).
We are a contender now and Cody provided clutch goals and gave us a 2nd powerplay unit. (I hope they move Kesler back to 2nd PP, he isn't doing anything for the top PP at the moment, and Higgins, Burrows, or Booth could be quality top PP wingers.)
Kassian struggling to stay on Buffalo's roster, and Gragnani struggling to stay in the line up is concerning for a team that wants to compete for a cup. We are going to have to hope with support of quality players here these players can up their games, or this will be a bad move short term.
Long term it is going to depend on Gragnani in my opinion. If he can be a solid 4/5 defensemen (and play the right side), and Kassian a 2nd line powerforward, we may break even on the deal.
Yeah, that pretty much distills why everyone is so restless and confused. All of the "ifs" seem like they are on our side.
I'm sad Hodgson is gone but I'll wait to see our new guys play some games before I start kicking and screaming and going blue in the face yelling about how horrible Gillis is.
Not gonna lie, I'm stoked about Cody coming to Buffalo; but I really do hope Kass plays well for you guys. The potential for him to be a Lucic-type player - or better - is there. Good luck with your playoff run, fellas.
IF Kesler or Sedin get hurt, the game will turn into a lot more physical battle and grind it out. Kassian helps you more then Hodgson.
Also how do you not have a 2nd pp center? Kesler can't play there?
Dude, you have no idea what you're talking about.
You said in a previous post "You clearly don't realize what you're getting in Kassian." You don't realize what the Canucks lost. If you watched the Canucks regularly like us, you would understand.
Kesler has been on the 1st unit for a very long time, and wont be moved. He didn't move to the 2nd unit when the 1st unit struggled mightily, they wont move him now.
Gragnani isnt nearly as bad as many Sabres fans will lead you to believe.
Very nice skill offensively. Should really help out on the 2nd PP until and bring a nice transition game. That whole team has been in a mess most of the season but somehow hes been able to put up a +10 to lead the entire team. Put him with a defensively responsbile player and I think you got yourselfs a very solid puckmoving defencemen. Go back to last summer and many Sabres fans where talking about how excited they were about this kid and now all the sudden he stinks?
Posted this in the thread on the Sabres board, I am a Sabres fan. Kassians has huge potential. Best case scenario he's another Bertuzzi. However he has shown effort issues and has not brought the toughness consistently. But when he's on he's shown a great ability to hold the puck along the boards, great hands around the net, scored an awesome breakaway goal earlier this year. The problem has been he disappears for big handfuls of games- both in the NHL and the AHL. If he can get his head right and bring a consistent effort every night he will be a great player.
For Gragnani, one thing you need to know about him is that if you don't dress him in 14 more NHL games this year he becomes a UFA due to some arcane section in the CBA. He was not going to dress in 14 more games for Buffalo, that's why he's gone.
Looks like he would be a Group 6 Free Agent:
Quote:
Group 6 Free Agents.
(i) Means any Player who is age 25 or older who has completed three
(3) or more professional seasons, whose SPC has expired and: (i)
in the case of a Player other than a goaltender, has played less than
80 NHL Games, or (ii) in the case of a goaltender, has played less
than 28 NHL Games (for the purpose of this definition, a
goaltender must have played a minimum of thirty (30) minutes in
an NHL Game to register a game played). For the purposes of the
foregoing, the term professional season shall: (A) for a Player aged
18 or 19, mean any season in which such Player plays in eleven
(11) or more Professional Games (including NHL Regular Season
and Playoff Games, minor league regular season and playoff
games, and games played in any European professional league,
while under an SPC), and (B) for a Player aged 20 or older, mean
any season in which such Player plays in one or more Professional
Games (including NHL Regular Season and Playoff Games, minor
league regular season and playoff games, and games played in any
European professional league, while under an SPC).
(ii) Any Group 6 Player shall, at the expiration of his SPC, become an
Unrestricted Free Agent and shall be completely free to negotiate29
and sign an SPC with any Club, and any Club shall be completely
free to negotiate and sign an SPC with such Player, without penalty
or restriction, or being subject to any Right of First Refusal, Draft
Choice Compensation or any other compensation or equalization
obligation of any kind.
As he has 59 regular season games and 7 playoff games to his credit, the Canucks need to give him 14 games (regular season + playoffs) to retain his rights as an RFA next season.
