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Vancouver Off-Topic / Current EventsThe off-topic forum for Vancouver, funnies, non-auto centered discussions, WORK SAFE. While the rules are more relaxed here, there are still rules. Please refer to sticky thread in this forum.
It's official: the Canucks will get knocked out of the first round because Tony Gallagher said so.
I'm turning my attention to the Whitecaps now because at least I don't have to deal with a bunch of Debbie-Downer armchair coaches and GMs on the intraweb. Posted via RS Mobile
Zack Kassian has been good at staring down the opposition. And just as good at staring at the ceiling.
While Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani have transitioned well from Buffalo to Vancouver, there have been miscues and missed assignments for Gragnani and even a bout, benching and a misconduct for Kassian. However, the newcomers haven't wilted under the intense glare of the local spotlight as much as many of their struggling teammates since being acquired at the NHL trade deadline.
Now if they could only sleep.
Kassian believes the lack of shut-eye has much to do with expectation while Gragnani contends his initial lack of sleep was the result of a three-hour time change and trying to get his body clock in sync. Two days away from the rink should have helped before returning to practice Tuesday, unless you're Kassian. Think about it. Before the winger's first shift as a Canuck, there was debate about what whether the budding power forward would eventually evolve into a Milan Lucic or a Steve Bernier. And there was considerable debate whether the Canucks got enough in return by jettisoning Cody Hodgson.
"Oh yeah," chuckled Kassian. "I didn't sleep well. I'd stare at the ceiling for a while, look at my phone and the Internet and just kind of relax and slowly try to get to sleep. When it's midnight, it's 3 a.m. back home and not too many people I can talk to. Throughout the day it's good."
There's lots to talk about. Looking comfortable on shifts with Henrik and Daniel Sedin in his Phoenix debut. Four shots and four hits against St. Louis. A goal and an assist and seven hits against Buffalo. Second-line time and 14 minutes before a return to reality and seven to eight minutes on the fourth line. And also being pined by coach Alain Vigneault after a bad read on a Kyle Wellwood goal against Winnipeg.
"I didn't play much because I didn't play well — it's that simple," said Kassian. "He's a coach who plays you if you're going and it's a great way because if you're not going, you shouldn't be playing. That happens. I need to get going. Losing is not fun. We've got to rest our minds a bit and get away from the rink and come back and be ready to work."
If that isn't enough to keep him awake, Kassian also fought Brad Staubitz and drew a 10-minute misconduct against Montreal on Saturday. No wonder sleep has been at a premium. Somebody call the sleep doctor.
"For the most part, it doesn't have anything to do with the time change," added the 21-year-old Kassian. "It was just changing cities and getting traded to a great team — there's a lot on your mind. I'm slowly starting to sleep better, so that's good. It's the excitement of being here and in a new city. When you get traded to a contending team, it's kind of a dream come true.
"Who doesn't want to get traded to a Canadian team that has a push for a Stanley Cup? It's pretty surreal and you've got to snap into reality pretty quick. When you think about it, it's pretty exciting and I've got to get back on track here."
At his best, Kassian might be a third-line fit by the postseason. He skates well enough, is hard on the forecheck and has pretty good hands — whether handling the puck or handling himself in that fight with Staubitz.
"He was running around a bit, so when people take liberties with your teammates, you can't sit and watch," said the 6-foot-3, 214 pound winger. "If it happens, it happens. I'm not going to go looking for it and I don't want to be just a tough guy, but when that stuff comes along you've got to answer the bell. I want to be physical, move my feet and protect pucks and get them in deep."
If Kassian does that consistently, he'll sleep well. If not, then the Canucks' bottom-six mix for the postseason could become as confusing as the Sedins' combining for just one assist the last eight games and the club having just two wins in the last seven outings and managing only 14 goals. Kassian seems far removed from being suspended three times in the OHL — once for 20 games for a hit to the head — and charged with assault in a bar fight on May 30, 2010 in his native Windsor before the charge dropped.
"You want to show your teammates and the coaching staff that you're ready to play and that it was the right trade," summed up Kassian. "All that stuff is going through your head."
For Gragnani, a new system hasn't been as trying as trying to adjust to the Pacific time zone. He turned 25 on Sunday and will turn heads if his puck-moving decisions are as good as his stride. Being better rested should help the Montreal native who's pointless in five games as a Canuck with just two shots and a minus-1 rating.
"With the time change, I was over-sleeping and I'm fine now," said Gragnani. "But for the first week, it was hard for my naps and even at night but the rest was really easy for me. We play a good style for me. We skate and move the puck really well and that suits my game. I didn't have any trouble adjusting at all."
So Pittsburg has been on a tear lately, and Sid is coming back on Thursday. Everything I've read thus far is saying he is a monster itching to come back. Unless he gets knocked again out before the playoffs, I give the Pens the nod to get out of the East.
And Radulov coming back for Preds as well. Team with a very solid back end and goaltending, just got their best player outside of the NHL back.
This is going to be an exciting year for playoffs. Let's just skip the last 13 games of the regular season and jump right in, we all know the Canucks would be all up on that
If I was Nashville I'd be pissed. I don't know exactly why Radulov left but he wants to come back now after they're going to make a serious playoff push?
What a bitch. Man up and make the team elite instead of joining after it's elite.
Dan Bylsma said recently he has the best and worst situation in the world
Best is that the best player in the game is coming back,
worst is how to fit him on a squad thats already rolling
Lucky bastard LOL
as for Radulov, he owes NSH one more year. Some will argue that he shouldnt be allowed to play, but because of loopholes in the CBA. NSH suspended a player that still holds a roster spot for this to happen. He makes NSH a legitimate threat.
Radulov held out NSH to go for the money in the KHL. The KHL needed a Russian superstar and they found it in Radulov. Arguably one of the best NOT playing in the NHL.
Im sure Radulov would make the team from the beginning of the year if he wanted to. the guy is a beast
Im curious if he would be allowed to wear his HULK GLOVES
Apparently Radulov and the locker room leaders from a couple years ago did not get along all that well. That and the KHL dangled lots of money in front of him, much more than his entry level contract.
If I was Nashville, I would be hesitant to re-sign him this offseason given his track record of not honouring contracts. I would be pissed that he is 'honouring' the last year of his entry level contract by playing a dozen regular season games and whatever playoff games. But I would be ecstatic at getting talent like this for the playoff run so long as it doesn't mess around with your dressing room chemistry.
If the Preds wanted to send a message to this kid, they'd bring him back and have him watch the remaining games and playoffs from the pressbox. But they will want him in the lineup for obvious reasons.
If I was Nashville I'd be pissed. I don't know exactly why Radulov left but he wants to come back now after they're going to make a serious playoff push?
What a bitch. Man up and make the team elite instead of joining after it's elite.
it would maybe fuck up team chemistry in the locker room..
It would be a nice addition , but does he really deserve to play in the playoffs when he hasn't done anything.
If the Preds wanted to send a message to this kid, they'd bring him back and have him watch the remaining games and playoffs from the pressbox. But they will want him in the lineup for obvious reasons.
If they did that, Nashville would lose Radulov forever. I'm hoping for Nashville's sake that Radulov isn't a primadonna who expects first line minutes immediately and plays like a one man show.
^meh, like I mentioned, if I was the Pred's, I'd be hesitant on keeping him after this season anyways. It's widely accepted that they can't afford to keep Weber, Suter, and Rinne. Now they have to throw Radulov into the mix too. Trade away his RFA rights to the Leafs or something, let them deal with his problems.
^meh, like I mentioned, if I was the Pred's, I'd be hesitant on keeping him after this season anyways. It's widely accepted that they can't afford to keep Weber, Suter, and Rinne. Now they have to throw Radulov into the mix too. Trade away his RFA rights to the Leafs or something, let them deal with his problems.
Actually Bill Daly confirmed that it appears the cap will go up to $69 mil or $74 mil next season, so Nashville will have no problems signing them all assuming the players want to stay. Their new ownership group has also lifted any internal budgets and ok'd spending to whatever the cap is.
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