News:Zack Kassian netted the eventual game-winning goal Monday against the Blackhawks.
Analysis: The goal was Zack Kassian's first since April 4 and just his second tally in the past 30 games. He saw under nine minutes of ice time Monday night, but his goal came while skating with the Sedin brothers on the Canucks' top line. Kassian had a successful stint on the first line to open up the season, so good things could come if he sticks with the Sedins and starts seeing more ice time. For now, monitor the young power forward.
News:Zack Kassian netted his sixth goal of the season in his return to the Canucks' lineup Thursday against the Oilers.
Analysis: He skated with Maxim Lapierre and Nicklas Jensen on the Canucks' third line. Zack Kassian will likely stick in that role for the short term, but he could be pushed down to fourth-line duty once Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond return.
News: Vancouver recalled Zack Kassian from the AHL on Wednesday.
Analysis:Zack Kassian is a prospect to keep an eye on in most formats, but generally no more than that given that he has just eight points in 27 appearances this year.
News: The Canucks have sent Zack Kassian (back) to AHL Chicago, the Vancouver Sun reports. "He needs to play," coach Alain Vigneault said of Kassian on Sunday. "We want him to get a little bit more ice time. He has been out for a little bit more than two weeks, on and off, and we felt for now he needed to play and we are going to send him down there."
Analysis: With both Zack Kassian and Andrew Gordon headed to the AHL, the Canucks have summoned wingers Nicklas Jensen and Bill Sweatt to take their spots up front in the big club's lineup.
News:Zack Kassian (back) sat out Saturday's loss to the Oilers.
Analysis:Zack Kassian has been making strides in his recovery and he has even been medically cleared to play, but the Canucks decided to hold him out for at least one more game. His next chance to return will be Monday against the Sharks.
News: Canucks coach Alain Vigneault wouldn't commit to Zack Kassian (back) returning to the lineup Saturday, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian took part in a full practice Friday and told the team he's ready to return, but Vigneault hinted that team trainers haven't confirmed anything yet and the young winger might be held out of another game. Look for a final decision on Kassian's status to surface closer to the puck dropping.
News:Zack Kassian (back) returned to full practice Friday and is expected to return to the ice for Saturday's game against the Oilers, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian was originally expected to return Thursday when he was eligible to come off IR, but was unable to fully participate in practice still. Friday showed marked improvement, so the Canucks will try to get him out on the Saturday, provided he can take part in the morning skate. Should he make his return, those in deeper leagues can consider activating him again.
News:Zack Kassian (back) missed his fifth consecutive game Thursday.
Analysis: The 22-year-old winger tested out his injury during an optional skate Wednesday, but he's still not at full strength. Zack Kassian tweaked the injury when he tried returning too soon earlier this month, so the Canucks will continue to be patient this time around. He's officially listed as day-to-day.
News:Zack Kassian (back) will be eligible to come off the IR on Thursday, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis: The big forward is still listed as day-to-day, and it remains unclear whether he'll be ready to return to game action once eligible.
News: Canucks general manager Mike Gillis thinks Zack Kassian (back) will return to action soon, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian has missed three of the past four games with a back injury. He's officially listed as day-to-day for now. His next chance to return to the ice will be Saturday against the Kings.
News:Zack Kassian (back) will miss Thursday's game against the Coyotes, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian tweaked a previous back injury during a fight with St. Louis' Chris Stewart on Tuesday. Look for the Canucks to be a bit more cautious with Kassian this time around so he doesn't suffer another setback.
News:Zack Kassian (back) did not travel with the team on Wednesday to Phoenix, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian initially injured his back when he got into a fight with Chris Stewart in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Blues. It is still unknown exactly how much time Kassian will miss, but for now consider him day-to-day.
News:Zack Kassian (back) logged 2:48 minutes of ice time in the first period, but did not return after the first intermission.
Analysis:Zack Kassian got into a fight with the Blues' Chris Stewart during his brief time on the ice. It's still unclear if Kassian tweaked his back injury or suffered a new ailment in his scrap with Stewart.
News:Zack Kassian (back) is expected to play Tuesday against the Blues.
Analysis:Zack Kassian's Tuesday morning skate evidently went well, so barring a setback, he'll be out there for the Canucks' evening tilt. With eight points in 26 games to date, though, he's of marginal utility in leagues where his PIM (25) don't help.
News:Zack Kassian (back) was sidelined for Monday's game against Minnesota.
Analysis: There's been little in terms of updates from the Canucks thus far, but Zack Kassian remains day-to-day at this time. He had similar issues while playing during the lockout, however, so it's possible that the Canucks will give him a longer period to shake the symptoms this time around.
News:Zack Kassian will not play Saturday due to a sore back, Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian dealt with a similar issue during training camp, and the soreness popped up again Saturday. Consider him day-to-day for the time being.
News:Zack Kassian was dropped to the fourth line during Wednesday's practice, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian flashed his potential early this season while skating with the Sedins on the top line, but he's been pushed down the depth chart now that Ryan Kesler and David Booth are healthy. The young winger will likely bounce between lines all season, but he'll need to see some of the team's veterans hit the shelf again before returning to as prominent of a role as he held to start the season.
News:Zack Kassian skated with Ryan Kesler (shoulder) and Chris Higgins on the Cancuks' second line during Thursday's practice, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: After starting the season on the top line, Zack Kassian has primarily skated on the third line the past few games. Playing alongside Kesler is a definite upgrade over the third-line duty Kassian had been seeing, so hopefully the young winger can rediscover some of his early-season success.
News:Zack Kassian posted his first assist of the season in Friday's shootout win over Chicago, giving him a point in five of the last six games.
Analysis:Zack Kassian is enjoying life alongside the Sedin twins, providing them a complementary player that can do the dirty work in the corners and drive the net effectively. Kassian has six points in eight games this season and is acclimating himself well to life in Vancouver. Play him with confidence as long as he is seeing time alongside the Sedins.
News:Zack Kassian scored his fourth goal of the season Monday against the Kings.
Analysis:Zack Kassian has no assists in six games, but he also has 12 penalty minutes in addition to his four goals, so perhaps he can contribute in a couple of fantasy categories.
News:Zack Kassian posted a power-play goal in Friday's win over Anaheim, giving him a goal in each of the last three games.
Analysis:Zack Kassian is enjoying life alongside the Sedin twins, as the budding power forward is establishing himself as one of the season's biggest values. Kassian's role heading into the season was murky following his trade last February from Buffalo for Cody Hodgson. Kassian is a prototypical power forward that can complement the skilled playmaking of the Sedins quite well should he remain consistent. Your window to acquire Kassian may be closing.
News:Zack Kassian netted his second goal of the season in Wednesday's win over the Flames.
Analysis:Zack Kassian skated on the first line with the Sedin Twins, a role he earned after a strong showing in the previous game. The Canucks will tinker with their lines while Ryan Kesler (shoulder, wrist) is out, but Kassian has a legit shot to stick on the first line long term. The 21-year-old winger is worth a look in most mid-sized formats.
News: With David Booth (groin) set to miss at least the first month of the regular season, Zack Kassian could skate with the second line, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian appears to be the early favorite to take over at right winger on the second line, which will include Mason Raymond on the left side and either Andrew Ebbett or Jordan Schroeder in the middle. A spot on the second line would make Kassian an interesting late-round flier, so continue to monitor the training camp competition for the Canucks to see where the 21-year-old winger lands.
News:Zack Kassian could open the season on the Canucks' second line if David Booth (groin) is forced to miss any time, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian was expected to open the season on the third or fourth line, but injuries have opened the door for him to start the year on the second line. The 21-year-old winger could end up bouncing between lines for most of the season, but he does become a more interesting late-round flier given his apparent early-season opportunity to skate in the top six.
News:Zack Kassian (back) returned to practice Monday, the Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian, who sat out Sunday's practice with back spasms, filled in for the banged-up David Booth on the team's second line at practice Monday, along with Mason Raymond and Andrew Ebbett.
News:Zack Kassian (back spasms) sat out Sunday's practice, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian has been dealing with back spasms for the past couple weeks, so it's not much of a surprise that he was held out of the first official practice of the season. Kassian and Canucks general manager Mike Gillis have both hinted that the injury isn't serious, so look for the 21-year-old winger to return to the ice shortly.
News:Zack Kassian has been dealing with back spasms the past couple weeks, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: The injury originally flared up while he was playing for Chicago of the AHL during the lockout. The 21-year-old power forward doesn't consider the injury major and he's all set to participate in training camp. The Canucks were high enough on Zack Kassian to trade Cody Hodgson for him last season, but it's still unclear what role the winger will play for the team this season. Kassian could end up with a gig on any of the four lines. His potential to land in the top six for the Canucks is enough to keep and eye on him, while possibly considering Kassian as a late-round flier in deeper formats.
News:Zack Kassian's assist Sunday gives him points in three straight AHL games, but the big power winger hasn't potted a goal since Nov. 28, a span of 10 games. He has just six goals in 27 games this season after scoring 15 in 30 in 2011-12.
Analysis: His PIMs are up and his shots on goal are down relative to last season as he tries to develop his all-around game. We're not worried yet, but we are tempering our fantasy expectations for the next couple seasons.
News:Zack Kassian will return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Kings after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: The youngster will add some size and tough, energetic play to the fourth line, where he's expected to skate with Manny Malhotra and Byron Bitz.
News:Zack Kassian is listed as day-to-day with the upper-body injury he sustained Tuesday night, the Canucks' official site reports.
Analysis: The Canucks have multiple players returning from injury prior to the playoffs, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team get some other guys back in the lineup and give Zack Kassian a night off. Consider him questionable for Thursday night's tilt against the Flames.
News:Zack Kassian was removed from Tuesday's shootout win over Anaheim after suffering an upper-body injury in the second period.
Analysis: The power-forward prospect hasn't done much in his 17 games with the Canucks, netting just three points in very limited ice time -- though he's certainly produced for owners in leagues that count hits and PIM. We'll keep you updated on his status.
News:Zack Kassian was sent off for fighting and misconduct in Saturday's demoralizing home loss to Montreal.
Analysis: We genuinely doubt that this signals a shift in his focus to being a tough guy. Zack Kassian had only two major penalties all season before Saturday.
News:Zack Kassian is expected to skate with the fourth line Thursday against the Jets, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: After a one-game stint on the second line, Zack Kassian is headed back to the bottom six. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault constantly juggles his lines, so look for Kassian to continue bouncing around until a good fit is found.
News:Zack Kassian will skate on the Canucks second line with Ryan Kesler and David Booth in Tuesday's game against the Stars, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian notched two points in Saturday night's loss to Buffalo after being promoted to the top six, so Canucks coach Alain Vigneault decided to give the 21-year-old a longer look. He's replacing Mason Raymond, who's still expected to see time on the power play. This promotion makes Kassian an interesting speculative grab in deep formats.
Seven Hits (And Two Points) For Vancouver's Kassian
News:Zack Kassian scored and added an assist in Vancouver's 5-3 loss to Buffalo on Saturday. He delivered seven hits during the contest against his former team.
Analysis: The hits give a hint of the rookie's eventual value as an enforcer who can score a little. In the minors, he routinely racked up many more penalty minutes than games played. He's only 21, so don't expect too much from him just yet.
News:Zack Kassian played 12:27 Tuesday in his Canucks debut, seeing over 20 shifts and being held scoreless in their shootout loss to the Coyotes.
Analysis: It's noteworthy that Zack Kassian didn't get any power-play time on the Canucks' three opportunities with the man advantage. He picked up two penalty minutes while laying out five hits and one shot on net.
News:Zack Kassian has been traded to the Canucks along with Marc-Andre Gragnani in exchange for Cody Hodgson and Alexander Sulzer, reports the Sabres' Twitter feed.
Analysis: The former first-round pick won't likely make an impact with the Canucks this season, but is a future fantasy stud. He has 26 points in 30 games with Rochester in the AHL and has shown a mean streak during his limited showing in Buffalo.
News: Buffalo recalled Zack Kassian on Saturday, Buffalo News writer Mike Harrington reports.
Analysis:Zack Kassian appears unlikely to be a fantasy factor in the short term, but his 26 points (15 goals) in 30 AHL games this year are a reason to be optimistic about his future.
News:Zack Kassian has been loaned to Rochester of the AHL, according to the Sabres' official Twitter feed.
Analysis: As the Sabres finally get back to better health, the rookie only found himself in one of three games following the All-Star break, so it's better for the team to give the power forward some more regular ice time in the AHL. He'll be back again when injuries, or perhaps trades, strike.
News:Zack Kassian will not play Saturday against the Islanders, The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington reports.
Analysis: This is not surprising as Zack Kassian was recently recalled from the AHL. There may be more healthy scratches in his future.
News:Zack Kassian has been recalled from Rochester (AHL), the Sabres' twitter feed.
Analysis:Zack Kassian will take one the places that has opened up due to the absence of Thomas Vanek and Jochen Hecht.
News:Zack Kassian, who has been in a prolonged slump, could be headed back to Rochester (AHL), especially with the Sabres getting healthier at forward.
Analysis:Zack Kassian came up and developed a quick cult following in Buffalo with his physical style of play, but has just one assist in the last 11 games. As Brad Boyes and Villie Leino return to health, Kassian is the obvious choice to head back down to Rochester.
News:Zack Kassian has gone three games without getting on the scoresheet for the Sabres after three goals and two assists in his first six games since being recalled from Rochester (AHL).
Analysis:Zack Kassian has become a cult figure among Sabres' fans for his intense style of play. He's unlike any forward the Sabres have had in recent memory, hitting anything on skates. He combines that physical style with offensive skill uncharacteristic of a guy who plays the way he does.
News: The Sabres recalled Zack Kassian from AHL Rochester on Thursday, WGR Buffalo reports.
Analysis: Buffalo's 2009 first-round pick will make his NHL debut when he takes the ice for the Sabres. Though Zack Kassian played in the AHL this season for the first time, he had little trouble adjusting to the higher level and picked up 14 points (7G, 7A) in 18 games. He'll provide some depth up front with several forwards banged up, but don't be surprised if he heads back to Rochester once the Sabres get healthy.
News: The Sabres have assigned Kassian to Portland to play in the AHL playoffs, The Buffalo News reports.
Analysis: Kassian, who has a ton of potential but who has also had plenty of off-ice and on-ice problems, is coming off suspension for an intent-to-injure incident. The 2009 first-round pick just finished up his juniors career, and had 16 points in 16 playoff games for Windsor of the OHL. He fits into the team's long-term plans and they'll have a close eye on him in the AHL playoffs, but the team has also warned him several times about his overly aggressive behavior.
News: Kassian is has been suspended for Game 4 of the Windsor Spitfires' series with the Owen Sound Attack after what officials have called "intent to injure another player" in Game 3 of the series, The Windsor Star reports.
Analysis: Kassian has had a checkered past, to say the least, and this cannot help. Officials wanted to take immediate action, and say the suspension may be even worse if Windsor advances. The kid has a lot of issues managing his emotions on the ice, and after saying all of the right things heading into the season, not much has changed this year with the top prospect in the Sabres organization.
News: Kassian has been suspended for two games total after receiving a match penalty Tuesday at the World Junior Hockey Championship, reports TSN.ca. He will miss Wednesday's game against Norway and Friday against Sweden.
Analysis: He will be eligible to return for the medal round games on the weekend. He had received an automatic one-game ban for the match penalty for hitting Petr Senkerik of the Czech Republic in the head and neck; tournament judges added a second. Kassian has a history of questionable hits and behaviors; this just adds to his rap sheet.
News: Kassian received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for checking to the head and neck area after leveling Czech Republic's Petr Senkerik with a devastating open-ice hit in Canada's win at the World Junior Hockey Championship on Tuesday. He receives an automatic one-game suspension and may receive additional supplemental discipline.
Analysis: Senkerik lay motionless on the ice before medical personnel put a neck brace on him and strapped him to a stretcher to get him off the ice. While it would have been considered clean by NHL standards, the hit definitely violated international rules. And Kassian's reputation -- and suspension history -- may play a part in any decision to give him additional time off.
News: Kassian has been chosen for Team Canada's squad for the upcoming World Junior Championships in Buffalo.
Analysis: After some issues both off and on the ice last year, Kassian -- the team's first-rounder in 2009 -- seems to be getting his career on the right path, and there's no denying his talent. He impressed in camp before the season, and he currently stands at 48 points in 25 games at Windsor of the OHL.
News: Kassian and the Sabres agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract Monday, according to The Buffalo News.
Analysis: For Sabres fans who want Kassian brought up now, it's not going to happen. With an entry-level deal, and playing in juniors, he can only come up if there is a roster emergency.
News: Assault charges stemming from an incident outside of a bar last winter have been dropped after Kassian completed his community service, according to The Associated Press.
Analysis: Now Kassian can officially put the past behind him and focus on doing what he needs to do to on the ice.
News: Kassian was returned to juniors Saturday, reports the Associated Press.
Analysis: The first-rounder posted just one assist while playing in four preseason games with the Sabres. He's a long-term prospect for those in leagues where sandpaper counts.
News: Kassian logged an assist and hit any Leaf in his sights for Buffalo in Saturday's 3-1 win over Toronto in the team's preseason opener.
Analysis: Kassian has made headlines for the wrong reasons in the past year, but that is all history. The Sabres top prospect has had a great camp by all accounts, and was all over the ice on Saturday night.
News: Lindy Ruff said that Kassian has been "dominant" in front of the net early on in camp, according to Bucky Gleason of The Buffalo News.
Analysis: Kassian is a physical specimen, standing 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds. Kassian is definitely a name to keep in mind as rosters get paired down towards the end of camp.
News: First-round pick Zack Kassian is one of six Buffalo Sabres prospects returned to their respective Canadian junior clubs. A gritty forward who was selected 13th overall in the NHL draft in June, Kassian was returned to Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League. The moves leave Buffalo with 50 players on its training camp roster and were made Thursday, before the Sabres hosted Washington to open their preseason schedule. Also returned to the juniors were forwards Luke Adam (Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), Marcus Foligno (Sudbury, OHL), Jacob Lagace (Chicoutimi, QMJHL) and defensemen Nick Crawford (Saginaw, OHL) and Brayden McNabb (Kootenay, Western Hockey League.
Analysis: Kassian is the biggest name in the group, but Adam, Lagace and McNabb are also considered top 20 prospects in the Sabres' system. None of these guys are anything more than long-term Fantash keepers.
