Kassian hospitalized with minor injuries after traffic accident

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I'll take that chance on a "clean and sober" Kassian. When he becomes that though, not in the hope he does

I'm assuming that he is clean and sober at least at the moment since he has moved on to the next phase of the league's substance abuse program. I'm sure it's a prerequisite.

[442scotty]

Originally Posted by iggysback05

If there was ever a time that I could see Brian Burke pull rank and force a move this is the time.

If there ever was a Brian Burke "type" Zack Kassian is that type.

I have been clean and sober for 15 years and I know how my potential and ability to improve skyrocketed once I sobered up. I think Kassian has a lot to give and I won't be disappointed if it's the Flames that give him the chance.

Not a chance this happens... Flames like Starkist Charlie..

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by iggysback05

I'm assuming that he is clean and sober at least at the moment since he has moved on to the next phase of the league's substance abuse program. I'm sure it's a prerequisite.

We don't want this guy, trust me. I see a lot of OHL hockey and whenever the Knights played Windsor you could count on Kassian to hurt his team multiple times with dirty boneheaded penalties. His size and linemates made him effective in junior against boys, that does not translate to the NHL. Same as Tyler Biggs except Kassian is a stupider player than Biggs and will do nothing but hurt your team. I can honestly say Zach Kassian is probably the dumbest hockey player I have ever seen.

[Resolute 14]

Honestly, Kassian simply isn't as good as he is sometimes made out to be. He had a monster year in the OHL in his draft year, which caused Buffalo to overvalue him. Good fourth year of Junior, but beyond that, he doesn't offer anything we don't already get from Bouma or Ferland at his best. And that is without considering his myriad of problems.

Picking up Kassian is just making a move for the sake of making a move. He would not improve this hockey team.

[CroFlames]

Is anyone seriously suggesting to claim Kassian?

No thank you, enough bottom 6 forwards already.

[Enoch Root]

I would have no problem taking a chance on Kassian.

Big, physical right-handed shot. Flames have no depth at all at RW.

It's a long shot, and he hasn't shown a great deal of hockey IQ to this point, but if he can stay sober and wants to change his life - and if you can finally coach him a bit - he could be a huge payoff on a low-risk bet.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I'll take that chance on a "clean and sober" Kassian. When he becomes that though, not in the hope he does

That's the Setoguchi situation all over again IMO and he was lucky even to get a PTO. If Kassian becomes sober and begins to do well, this window is closed (But someone has to bring him into their organization NHL/AHL whatever and bring him along, otherwise, there is no window). Some posters are saying, take that chance. Others say, don't do it.

IMO, I'm in that latter group. We don't have the roster space to be that nice team to help him along. Kassian could be a good player, but based on what many have said, probably it's too much risk for another Colborne type player. Honestly, I don't know much about Kassian, but I don't feel like we have room for him based on what I have already heard.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would have no problem taking a chance on Kassian.

Big, physical right-handed shot. Flames have no depth at all at RW.

It's a long shot, and he hasn't shown a great deal of hockey IQ to this point, but if he can stay sober and wants to change his life - and if you can finally coach him a bit - he could be a huge payoff on a low-risk bet.

In a vacuum, I would agree it's a low risk high reward situation (a la Setoguchi with many similarities). But based on the current optics, I would not want to add a player carousel to the currently resolved goalie carousel we had this season. We just have too many bodies.

If Kassian was a guy we could bury in the minors to get that possible payoff, I would be more inclined. But I would say it's too risky keeping him on the roster after a claim at the current level he is at.

That being said, regardless of what management does, I wouldn't be upset. I just see too many valid reasons on both sides.

[Violator]

He is good for 30 points that's his only upside.

[Racki]

I suspect he gets claimed before he makes it to the Flames anyway so it's a moot point. My guess is Anaheim, they can't seem to get enough of those types.

[FlamesAddiction]

I would claim him. I think this team can use more grit and guys like Ferland and Bouma just aren't that durable. Plus with Frolik out, we can start running into depth problems. I don't care either way really.

Nice that Granlund is fitting in, which helps.

[skudr248]

Claim him, our team got bullied in the playoffs.

[kyuss275]

While i do think the flames need a player of his size , i don't think Kassian is the right fit for this team. His hockey IQ is as low as it can get. I'm glad he has completed the substance abuse program, but he has a long way to go in that department.

Also IMO it was looking more and more like Granlund would be the one sent down when Bouma comes back. I know posters wanted Raymond or Bollig to be sent down, but i don't see that happening durring the x-mas freeze. While it really sucks that we could be looking at Frolik out for a while it does give the flames a chance to keep Granlund up.

[Da_Chief]

I would claim him.

Ferland-Grant-Kassian
That would be an interesting line.

[Parallex]

I'd claim him.

The team has a shortage of RW who aren't off-hand shooters. There's some offensive upside there along with the skillset to be your standard crash'n'bang fourth liner if that upside doesn't pan out. Even better he has an expiring contract with team control left so if he doesn't work out you just don't qualify him and there is zero long term risk.

[Locke]

Claim him? Kassian is hot garbage.

The Sabres thought he'd be a power forward, the Canucks thought he'd bring some size and grit and the Habs probably imagined similar things.

He is not an NHL player. Period.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Locke

Claim him? Kassian is hot garbage.

The Sabres thought he'd be a power forward, the Canucks thought he'd bring some size and grit and the Habs probably imagined similar things.

He is not an NHL player. Period.

He had 10 goals in 42 games last year and 14 goals the year before. To say he isn't an NHL player is just dumb.

[skudr248]

(Locke) I do agree with you here, but this may of been because of the substance abuse problems... as much as I hate reclamation projects, he may be a good fit here. Guess will see what happens in half hour, wouldn't be bothered either way if we claim him or not.

[Vinny01]

Kassian is almost 25 I doubt he becomes more than what he has shown which is a 10-15 goal 25-30pt guy. If the Flames feel they need toughness then play Bollig. Unless their scouts think there is still some untapped potential there we do not need this claim

[Locke]

Originally Posted by mdubz

He had 10 goals in 42 games last year and 14 goals the year before. To say he isn't an NHL player is just dumb.

Okay, he isnt a $2M NHL player.