Kassian hospitalized with minor injuries after traffic accident

[calgaryblood]

Zack Kassian is not good enough to be getting all these chances. Hopefully he'll be washing windows and filling up gas soon, and some other player who appreciates the chance to become an NHLer takes his spot.

[Magnum PEI]

He went bald alarmingly fast. He's almost at Getzlaf level.

[shadowlord]

And to think the Canucks traded Cody Hodgson for Kassian. Not that Hodgson is a star player at the moment...

[vanisleflamesfan]

So is that Kassian's truck? Because if so, I can conclude a few things about him: He has no ability to park, he is a climate-change denier, and he has a small... ummm... jock-strap.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Why in the world would you not call a cab or uber?

It is one of the mysteries of the universe why some wealthy individuals will drive drunk when they can easily find multiple different ways to get home. I guess it is some combination of ego and stupidity.

If I was cashed up I would get an uber black and then have a new car delivered to my house the next day.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Management in the NHL have to make a firm commitment as to whether they value character - above almost all else - or they don't. If Bergervin was firmly committed to character he would never have traded for Kassian to begin with.

The Flames have clearly established that character counts the most. It is why Gio is the captain. It is also why Treliving is working on extending Russell. Sure he isn't a big guy, but his character is unassailable!

Sorry, but your post is terrible. The Flames should have kicked Ferland out the door to show they value character? Keeping and offering him help/support shows they don't value character in the organization?
There is no helping some people, and Kassian may be one who can't get the better of his demons. But offering an opportunity to clean up ones act is not the opposite of valuing character.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Sorry, but your post is terrible. The Flames should have kicked Ferland out the door to show they value character? Keeping and offering him help/support shows they don't value character in the organization?
There is no helping some people, and Kassian may be one who can't get the better of his demons. But offering an opportunity to clean up ones act is not the opposite of valuing character.

I mostly agree with what you're saying, but the only reason Ferland is doing better is because of the mentorship of McGrattan and Hartley. They chose those two guys to be part of the organization due to the character they possess, especially Hartley. That was a big thing Feaster mentioned when signing Hartley, since he hadn't had much NHL success in recent years to base the hiring on, he knew the kind of person Hartley was and was confident he was the right man to change the culture of the team.

Now I'm not necessarily saying that Montreal lacked character (I might imply that Vancouver has no character though), but clearly having high character guys in the organization helps pick up those who are lacking in that department, or are just learning how to be adults. These are mostly young kids you have to remember, and if they pick up bad habits at a young age, they are likely to continue them until someone take them under their wing and shows them a better way.

Honestly, just for his sake as a human being, I hope Kassian figures out that he can't keep going this way.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Sorry, but your post is terrible. The Flames should have kicked Ferland out the door to show they value character? Keeping and offering him help/support shows they don't value character in the organization?
There is no helping some people, and Kassian may be one who can't get the better of his demons. But offering an opportunity to clean up ones act is not the opposite of valuing character.

Actually I didn't say a person must be flawless, I said they should have good character. Anyone can make a mistake, it is how you respond that counts. If you watch Burkie's recent interview on Tim and Sid he said they spend a lot of time looking at the background of potential draft picks - talking to old coaches, teachers etc.

And AA with the Jays has stipulated numerous times that as they looked at player deals over the past year they were rating character over talent.

They was my point - Kassian has had opportunities to develop his character and failed to do so. That's why Linden was happy to " wash his hands of him".

Ferland when given the opportunity to develop his has appeared to seize this opportunity and run with it.

[northcrunk]

There's many stories on Reddit about how the nose candy has been a big problem for him since junior. Now that he is in level 2 of the substance abuse program hopefully he can get the help he needs to get clean.

[sureLoss]

Farhan Lalji @FarhanLaljiTSN
Re Kassian, Benning said he was in stage one of the #NHL substance abuse program "before I got here". #canucks

[nik-]

Benning should have taken the high road there and just not commented on that issue.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

Benning should have taken the high road there and just not commented on that issue.

Was he asked directly? Because otherwise yeah, he should have probably kept his peace on that one.

[Flash Walken]

I believe shame can be a strong motivator for personal growth but it's really unfortunate this is all coming to light about Kassian largely without his consent.

[robaur]

Can someone please explain as to why Kassian is in Level 2 Substance abuse program ? Like how that works? Did they find him drugged up and put him there cuz it can't be just drinking can it ?

Thanks.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by robaur

Can someone please explain as to why Kassian is in Level 2 Substance abuse program ? Like how that works? Did they find him drugged up and put him there cuz it can't be just drinking can it ?

Thanks.

Just sent a PM.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Just sent a PM.

Or you could post it here so that we can all see the answer to that question.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by robaur

Can someone please explain as to why Kassian is in Level 2 Substance abuse program ? Like how that works? Did they find him drugged up and put him there cuz it can't be just drinking can it ?

Thanks.

It can be just for drugs or alcohol or both.

There are three stages for alcohol and 4 stages for drugs.

When a player needs inpatient rehab (based on the opinion of doctors), he is automatically entered into stage 1.

If the player, in their doctor's opinion, violates a stage's treatment or follow up treatment, they are automatically bumped up to the next stage.

The higher up the stages go, the more harsher the penalties for the player.

For example, stage 1, players still get full NHL pay. Stage 2, players are suspended without pay and only get a stipend to cover basic living expenses.


Stage 3 for Drugs, requires the player miss at least 6 months and get no pay. Stage 4 for Drugs requires the player to miss at least a season and get no pay.

In all cases Stage 2 or above require consultation with the NHL and NHLPA before the player is reinstated to the NHL, and that reinstatement is not guaranteed.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Locke

Was he asked directly? Because otherwise yeah, he should have probably kept his peace on that one.

Even if he was asked directly, there's no requirement for him to comment on that. The smart move would have been a refusal to discuss a private matter and ask for the next question.

[speede5]

When your actions lead to appearances in the local media you can't have much of an expectation of privacy. I'm sure a lot of people are fed up with him, shame might be what helps motivate him to change.

[northcrunk]

Things just got worse:

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/ca...zuto-associate

Pictures of the damaged truck began to emerge Sunday on social media and some showed it had a front license plate with the name Le Roi du Camion on it.

According to Quebec’s business registry, the company based in St-Eustache is owned by Sonny Martorana, 29, the son of Frank Martorana, 56, a man who has been linked in the past to Vito Rizzuto, the head of the Mafia in Montreal until he died of natural causes in December 2013.