[News] Kassian to have hearing with NHL **Assessed a two-game suspension**

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Barca

a random Juolevi reference out of nowhere. lol

Marchand was also an all star and has answered the bell for his antics before.

only 1 of the 3 hits here clean imo, the 1st and 3rd hits were borderline, he had no intention of playing the puck.

there is no defence for the 3rd hit, left his guy to go after Kassian in a vulnerable spot.

Marchand 9 fights ... 11 seasons
Tkachuk 7 fights ... 4 seasons

[Royle9]

I love how everyone picks up the narrative of “if Tkachuk did this to McDavid he’d be suspended” and you’re probably right because the NHL is completely bias.

But as another poster put on the GT thread let’s do the PROPER comparison of that being McDavid or even Draisaitl hitting Lucic with the same 3 hits and then Lucic rag dolling either of them with the same bull#### dirty haymakers.

You can be sure without question that Lucic would get 5 and a game, at least 5 game suspension and the media would be calling for his career calling him a monster for being predatory and trying to injure.

That’s the comparison they should be doing, because Tkachuk is our #1 point producer at this current time and plays top 3 minutes for forwards on this team.

Pick that story line up Spector and let me know your bull#### bias on that narrative.

Now back to enjoying the sun and cerveza’s in Cancun!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

I actually thought Kassian's media response (post suspension) was reasonable...

Really? I found Kassian's comments to show an astonishing lack of self awareness and an alarming level of poor intelligence:

Originally Posted by Zack Kassian

"I'd do it again; all over again."

Kassian admits to learning nothing from the incident, and would happily, once again put his team in an impossible position to win a game for the sake of his own wounded ego.

Originally Posted by Zack Kassian

"Since I’ve been in minor Midgets I’ve stood up for myself and my teammates. People don't do that to me or my teammates when I'm out there."

Except that Matthew Tkachuk does. ALL THE GOD-DAMNED TIME. He caught Kassian TWICE before the end of the second period, and then AGAIN, after Kassian's 14-minutes of penalties expired in the third. To add insult to embarrassment, this is the second game in which Tkachuk has goaded the Kavemen into losing his mind. Why should anyone take Kassian's word on this seriously? He just keeps falling into the same trap, like an idiot.

And am I the only one who is mystified by his opinion that "sticking up for myself" means clobbering the opponent into oblivion? There is a world of difference between defending oneself and criminal retaliation.

Originally Posted by Zack Kassian

"I think I can do what Matthew Tkachuk did if the league is saying it is clean. I can do exactly that. I didn’t think you were allowed to, but after speaking with George apparently you are allowed. That is fine. That is great news. I’m a big guy who can skate and I can do that kind of stuff."

Except he can't. At least, he doesn't do it all that well. Kassian attempted a big check on Tkachuk in Saturday's game, and arguably came out on the wrong end of it.

Originally Posted by Zack Kassian

“I woke up the next day and had 20 text messages from around the league... I was glad to know people have my back. I think I play a pretty honest game.”

I am quite sure Tkachuk has also received his fair share of accolades from other players and friends for exposing Kassian's buffoonery. The difference is that you don't see him bragging about it. The fact that Kassian thinks he plays an "honest game" serves as an indictment on his total lack of self awareness.

[SuperMatt18]

That’s the funniest part of this to me.

Kassian spouting off like he’s been holding back from making hits like that because he’s some type of honourable player.

He would have taken that exact same shot If he had the chance, rules being clarified for him or not.

I feel like there is a 99% chance that Kassian takes a huge run at Tkachuk next game, only for Tkachuk to go low send Kassian flying over the top of him. Setting up another big kerfuffle.

[Looch City]

4th line plug talking like he's the second coming of McJesus himself.

If I laugh any harder, I may #### my pants.

[Jason14h]

The best is Kassian can never touch MT again without the book being thrown at him, and MT will just keeping hitting him over, and over, and over, and over again.

Part of me would love MT to fight Kassian at the opening faceoff and just clobber him. Kassian may literally quit hockey if that happen

[bubbsy]

The BEST part about all of this is kassian has been called the "heart and soul" of the mighty oilers, who by all accounts lack much forward skill outside 2 players, mainly due to cap restraints.

Holland must be watching and realizing he's got no choice but go the $4 for 4 year route in locking up this core piece.

haha, what a joke of a franchise. I love how kassian is spouting his mouth off. I hope the flames are all practiced up on their PP leading into this game. Feels like the game could be over pretty quick if they can capitalize on the inevitable PPs.

[krazycanuck]

If Kassian thinks he can hit Tkachuk or anyone else (Gaudreau included) legally, go for it.

The problem for him is, most true top 6 players keep their head up. We rarely see good players get smoked. I'd love to see Bennett or Lucic go and put McLovin through the boards, but that isn't likely to happen.

If Kassian starts running around with his level of skill, he's likely to either hurt himself or be caught completely out of position.

I miss old time hockey, but I miss the hitting and the physicality between the whistles more than the bench brawls and goalie fights.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by 3rd liner

How many articles is Spector going to churn out about this fiasco- just saw another one posted this afternoon. I just picture him sitting in his little cubicle (lined by McDavid signed merchandise) typing furiously like the angry little man he is. I am sure he doesn't read comments about his article- but I had to comment on his article and let him know what an Oilers fanboy he sounds like. How can these Oiler biased articles be allowed on sportsnet? I would rather hear about the leafs all day then his garbage.

Oddly enough, on TV last night Spector came across as completely impartial to the entire incident and was basically calling for more of this type of intensity to enhance the BOA moving forward.

[Itse]

Saying "I would do it all over again" should be an automatic extension of the suspension given. To say that goes directly against the whole point of suspending someone.

If the league had an ounce of integrity, they couldn't let something like that go. But it's the NHL, so what ever.

[Yoho]

It’s astounding Kassian has achieved hero status for this in Edmonton. Can you imagine how we would be lighting up a Calgary Flames player if they cost us the game with those meat head antics?

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Itse

Saying "I would do it all over again" should be an automatic extension of the suspension given. To say that goes directly against the whole point of suspending someone.

If the league had an ounce of integrity, they couldn't let something like that go. But it's the NHL, so what ever.

I agree the NHL are the ones with blood on their hands if this goes sideways in his first game back.

[dino7c]

Flames could/should use this as "us vs. the world" type motivation but judging from last nights game I won't hold my breath

[iloveicedhockey]

"he picked the wrong guy"

No Mr Kassian, he picked exactly the right guy.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I feel like there is bias for sure. I think a lot of people fail to see the other end of the spectrum. If Kassian laid out someone on our team twice in what is a legal however blatantly obvious targeted hit and didn’t answer the bell we would be clowning on him.

Some would, maybe. But there are others here who have been incredibly consistent with their opinions on fights after big hits. There is no place for them in the game. This old "code" BS needs to die......if you can't play at this level and avoid those hits go play in Europe or something.

The game is incredibly fast paced, and allowing goons back into the game to pick fights after collisions or legal checks is a massive step backwards.

[crazy_eoj]

What would have happened if immediately after the 2nd hit, Tkachuk dropped his gloves and 'answered the bell'?

Well, he would have been grabbing McJesus who was the first person in after the hit. Would MT have gotten the instigator... absolutely and deservedly so. Can you imagine the bombs going in Edmonton if Tkachuk had actually pulled that off? Very Kesler-esque.

[Meers]

If Tkachuk is the face of the franchise ...

we are all turtles now.

[Otto29]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The Oiler fans are demanding blood and retribution, they think that Kassian is some kind of legendary gun slinger.

That because they want a change from their regular diet of crack and hopelessness.

[Raekwon]

"After speaking with Parros on the phone he explained why the hit is not dirty which gave me clarity on what you can do and can't do"

A little later in his career to learn how to play hockey.

[pope04]

Originally Posted by Bent Wookie

He also said he thinks he plays a pretty honest game. He says he thought blind sided hit were illegal. Seriously? Sam Ganger says hi. Chris Tanev says hi. renden Dhillon says hi twice. And that's just off the top of my head.

Give me a break.

Let's not forget that Czech kid he blindsided in 2010 WJC.