Kassian has been getting his hits, but they haven't been particularly forceful lately. More just finishing his checks. Compare that to a couple of the shifts that Lapierre or Hansen have had recently where they've jolted a couple guys nicely and I think that's where the criticism is coming from with regards to his physical play.
Kassian has been getting his hits, but they haven't been particularly forceful lately. More just finishing his checks. Compare that to a couple of the shifts that Lapierre or Hansen have had recently where they've jolted a couple guys nicely and I think that's where the criticism is coming from with regards to his physical play.
Only 3 hits made the highlight reel on NHL.com last night - Kassian, Kesler, and Duchene.
---
It's funny but I mentioned this before Kassian played a single game. The problem with PWF prospects is the fans' expectations. They're expected to create chances, put up points, hit, fight, intimidate, play well defensively, and a million other things. Meanwhile a guy like Hodgson when he comes up from the minors is only expected to do one thing: put up points.
Kassian has been getting his hits, but they haven't been particularly forceful lately. More just finishing his checks. Compare that to a couple of the shifts that Lapierre or Hansen have had recently where they've jolted a couple guys nicely and I think that's where the criticism is coming from with regards to his physical play.
Few players can match Lapierre though. You not only have to be willing to hit but you have to be able to anticipate and catch the guy you want to hit. I think Kassian is willing but Lapierre just has the ability and anticipation to get on the player at the right time. That comes with experience.
It's funny but I mentioned this before Kassian played a single game. The problem with PWF prospects is the fans' expectations. They're expected to create chances, put up points, hit, fight, intimidate, play well defensively, and a million other things. Meanwhile a guy like Hodgson when he comes up from the minors is only expected to do one thing: put up points.
This is going to come across as very simplistic, but at the end of the day, the whole point is to score goals. That's rather the object of the excercise.
A player that can create offence out of nothing is an extremely valuable commodity.
FENWICK, CORSI, grit, intangibles - all that stuff is great in context. Ultimately, though, only one thing matters: did you score at least once more than the opposition. That's it.
Was 2nd on the team in hits last night and was in every scrum. Not sure what you're expecting. He had a really good game last night.
Kassian's presence acts as a deterrent. There were a couple of scrums and as soon as Kassian moved in the Avs players backed down.
Kassian seems to understand that you do not go for the big thundering hit and leave yourself out of position and unable to recover. That shows maturity.
I was extremely impressed the way he protected the puck down low and he made several excellent passes from deep back to the point.
I am unsure exactly what some people are expecting out of a first year rookie pro.
I'm perfectly fine with how Kassian is playing. I think a goal would do wonders for his confidence. I'd just like to see him finish his checks a bit harder like he did during his first few games here.
I think part of it is who he's playing with, as Raymond and Henrik are two of the softer players on our team and the line has other priorities. Seems similar to how Hansen played when he was with Hodgson and Raymond.
Once the lineup gets settled after these injuries and the playoffs start I think we'll see him turn it up a couple notches physically.
This is going to come across as very simplistic, but at the end of the day, the whole point is to score goals. That's rather the object of the excercise.
A player that can create offence out of nothing is an extremely valuable commodity.
FENWICK, CORSI, grit, intangibles - all that stuff is great in context. Ultimately, though, only one thing matters: did you score at least once more than the opposition. That's it.
It is too simplistic.
As Vigneault and numerous players (see Henrik's comments the other day for example) have mentioned it is all about the process and how you play the game within the system. Results are less important on a game to game basis than how you are playing because puck luck is a factor but over time it evens out.
That is why the advanced stats and metrics are important - they measure effectiveness of your system and team and individual play within the system.
The fewer goals that are allowed means that you have to score fewer goals to win and a good system keeps GA down. And that is especially important when goals are hard to come by.
I like Kassian as a player, and I love the idea of having a young power forward in the system. I'm not thrilled with how he was acquired - and to me, at this stage of his career, Kassian is providing nothing that couldn't be provided by a Bitz or a Duco.
On a positive note, the Canucks are getting a lot more out of Pahlsson than I thought they might. Let's hope it lasts.
Neither Bitz nor Duco provide the intimidation factor and they most definitely are not power forwards.
Kassian's presence acts as a deterrent. There were a couple of scrums and as soon as Kassian moved in the Avs players backed down.
Kassian seems to understand that you do not go for the big thundering hit and leave yourself out of position and unable to recover. That shows maturity.
I was extremely impressed the way he protected the puck down low and he made several excellent passes from deep back to the point.
I am unsure exactly what some people are expecting out of a first year rookie pro.
It wouldn't be out of the question to see Kassian getting 10 hits a game. If the coach let him play his way.
In Buffalo he was instructed that if wanted to stay in the NHL he would have to mellow down on his emotional play and become a better offensive player.
I hope the Canucks let this kid off the leash (at least in the playoffs). He is a terror to play against when motivated.
The stupid penalties will go away when he becomes more comfortable with the NHL speed. He just isn't a type of player you try to mold into a 'scorer'. He is a true winner, and will only be that way if he plays by his regards.
Running around throwing big hits while taking yourself out of position is never a good idea. And on the Canucks it would be a ticket to the press box.
Kassian is playing the game the way the coaches want him to play.
He needs to learn the game and then the offence will come - as with the Sedins, Kesler, Burrows, Hansen, etc.
Running around throwing big hits while taking yourself out of position is never a good idea. And on the Canucks it would be a ticket to the press box.
Kassian is playing the game the way the coaches want him to play.
He needs to learn the game and then the offence will come - as with the Sedins, Kesler, Burrows, Hansen, etc.
True, but Hansen and Lapierre are probably two of our better hitters and they are also great defensively and positionally. Hopefully Kassian is taking notes and will provide the same elements. I like what I've seen so far.
True, but Hansen and Lapierre are probably two of our better hitters and they are also great defensively and positionally.
Lapierre is our best and most consistent hitter. I wouldn't put Hansen up there and I don't think he's better at hitting than Kassian is right now. Kassian only lags behind Lapierre in his per-season pace and would be Top 30 in the NHL based on what he's done as a Canuck. He's also a lot bigger and stronger than Hansen.
That said, hopefully he can take some cues on effective forechecking from Hansen. He's pretty good for a rookie, but Hansen is just amazing.
Lapierre is our best and most consistent hitter. I wouldn't put Hansen up there and I don't think he's better at hitting than Kassian is right now. Kassian only lags behind Lapierre in his per-season pace and would be Top 30 in the NHL based on what he's done as a Canuck. He's also a lot bigger and stronger than Hansen.
That said, hopefully he can take some cues on effective forechecking from Hansen. He's pretty good for a rookie, but Hansen is just amazing.
Hansen and Kassian both seem to really feed off the energy from their linemates, while Lapierre just brings it regardless. I think Kassian will settle into a line with more physical players in the playoffs and it will show in his game. He's been put in a tough spot coming to a team that is coasting, so I can't wait to see him and the rest of the team play some meaningful hockey.
Imagine a well-trained Kassian six years from now when he turns 27, like Lappy did today. He's pretty good now in the hitting department, but with six more years of natural maturing, regular training, good coaching, and Lappy-style role modelling, he could be a force of nature.
Kassian's presence acts as a deterrent. There were a couple of scrums and as soon as Kassian moved in the Avs players backed down.
Kassian seems to understand that you do not go for the big thundering hit and leave yourself out of position and unable to recover. That shows maturity.
I was extremely impressed the way he protected the puck down low and he made several excellent passes from deep back to the point.
I am unsure exactly what some people are expecting out of a first year rookie pro.
Yeah he's a big burly dude alright, I'm impressed with his on ice vision and passing, but still his passing could use some work.
ZK has decent hits and as you said he's calculating to see if its good to hold back so he won't get caught out of place, however I think this offseason he needs to bulk up even further if not just tone his muscles to be a more lean mean machine, which should increase his skating speed as well, as he tries to go for a hit but is a second or two - too slow and the opposing player escapes his attempted hit no problem sometimes.
As Vigneault and numerous players (see Henrik's comments the other day for example) have mentioned it is all about the process and how you play the game within the system. Results are less important on a game to game basis than how you are playing because puck luck is a factor but over time it evens out.
That is why the advanced stats and metrics are important - they measure effectiveness of your system and team and individual play within the system.
The fewer goals that are allowed means that you have to score fewer goals to win and a good system keeps GA down. And that is especially important when goals are hard to come by.
In the regular season, the process can often be more important than in the final score, but only as a predictor of future results. Ultimately, if the Canucks try to nurse 1-0 leads against superior opposition in the playoffs, they are in for a nasty surprise indeed.
In the playoffs, only wins matter. Win ugly, win pretty, doesn't matter. Of course, you hope the habits and process learned through the regular season help you in the playoffs. Many times, however, the "process" gets turned on it's head in the playoffs, and it's more about doing whatever you can to win.
I believe if the Canucks focus is more about shutting down the opposition rather than imposing their will on the game, they are in for an early exit.
I really like the way he passes the puck back to the point. Whenever he does that, the D is always open for a shot and there's always traffic in front of the net — he never forces that play when it's not there.
You see guys like Weise and Malhotra try and get the puck back to the point, but the D are always covered and it usually just results in a loss of possession.
I've noticed this as well, also very impressed by it. He seems to be very aware of where his teammates are on the ice.
He also has good poise/patience, also unlike Malhotra who seems to panic and rush a shot or pass off whenever the puck finds his stick in the offensive zone.
Kassian brings his physical game when needed, he had it vs the Blues, after the Keith elbowed Sedin, Avs, Dallas he brings it when it's needed and when it's not he's not as physical which is fine by me as being that physical 82 games will beat your body up, best to use it when it's needed and just having him there scares teams away. He's a very welcomed and needed young player, has a lot of upside and I do think he'll reach it, just give him time. I would like Canucks to get a few more meaner prospects as this is a weak spot in our system.
I believe if the Canucks focus is more about shutting down the opposition rather than imposing their will on the game, they are in for an early exit.
I agree, but I don't know if they have much choice. Their scoring has gone completely dry over the last 3 months, as they've put up only 2.49 G/G over that span. Here are the per 82 game point paces the forwards have put up over the past 3 months:
H. Sedin: 59 pts
D. Sedin: 56 pts
Higgins: 45 pts
Burrows: 44 pts
Booth: 41 pts
Kesler: 40 pts
Pahlsson: 29 pts (based on his 14 games with the Canucks)
Hansen: 27 pts
Raymond: 24 pts
Malhotra: 21 pts
Kassian: 12 pts (based on his 14 games with the Canucks)
Lapierre: 11 pts
Not a lot to be optimistic regarding the Canucks' scoring, so trying to grind out wins is probably their only option. Unfortunately that rarely results in playoff success.
Not a lot to be optimistic regarding the Canucks' scoring, so trying to grind out wins is probably their only option. Unfortunately that rarely results in playoff success.
Either you forgot the or haven't being watching playoff hockey. More often than not, playoff games are low scoring tight games due to Refs letting everything go and everyone playing defensive hockey.
Imagine a well-trained Kassian six years from now when he turns 27, like Lappy did today. He's pretty good now in the hitting department, but with six more years of natural maturing, regular training, good coaching, and Lappy-style role modelling, he could be a force of nature.
Can you imagine saying these words two years ago?
Either it shows the strength of this locker room or the maturation of Lappy independent of his surroundings.
Of course, like anything, I think it's a combination. But anyway, I'm glad we have Lappy on this team. What a coup for Gillis.
Either you forgot the or haven't being watching playoff hockey. More often than not, playoff games are low scoring tight games due to Refs letting everything go and everyone playing defensive hockey.
Playoffs games are generally lower scoring and tighter checking, but teams that win also have a killer instinct and an ability to score a key goal at key time.
Teams that try sitting on leads, soaking up pressure, and allowing the opposition to come at them in waves often allow leads to slip away.
Playoffs games are generally lower scoring and tighter checking, but teams that win also have a killer instinct and an ability to score a key goal at key time.
Kinda like how they scored two quick goals to tie the Avs last week?
Playoffs games are generally lower scoring and tighter checking, but teams that win also have a killer instinct and an ability to score a key goal at key time.
Teams that try sitting on leads, soaking up pressure, and allowing the opposition to come at them in waves often allow leads to slip away.
Pretty sure the 'nucks showed they can score key goals at key times even during this "slump" and of course all of last year. As far as killer instinct goes, the PP seems to be the issue with that. Question really is rather or not the PP recovers. Think we have the 3rd worst PP since Jan. 1.
or haven't being watching playoff hockey. More often than not, playoff games are low scoring tight games due to Refs letting everything go and everyone playing defensive hockey.
