We heard the rumors on Saturday night surrounding the Oilers and Montreal Canadiens. On Monday morning, it finally happened, Edmonton dealt Ben Scrivens to the Habs in exchange for Zack Kassian, the much debated villain. If you don’t recall, Kassian broke Sam Gagner’s jaw in the pre-season back in 2013 and then openly mocked him later that season.
To put it politely, Kassian is not a well liked player in Edmonton and there are reasons for it. He’s an agitator and he has done his job to perfection against the Oilers over the years. It’s easy to not like Kassian as a player from this angle.
Off-Ice Issues:
Not only has Kassian been hated on the ice by Oiler fans, he’s also had his fair share of issues off the ice. In 2010, he was charged with assault after an altercation at a bar. In 2009, as captain of the Peterborough Petes, he was suspended one game for breaking curfew.
Then, before the start of the season this year, he was suspended without pay and placed into stage two of the NHL’s Substance Abuse Program. He was suspended because of this incident, which also left him with a broken foot and broken nose.
Kassian was ruled eligible to return back on December 15th and was immediately placed on waivers by Montreal. He was not claimed but was told not to report to St. John’s this past weekend. Eventually, this morning’s trade occurred and Kassian is now Oiler property.
The Player:
It’s tough to put aside the off-ice issues, but let’s do that for a second, okay? What can Zack Kassian bring to the Edmonton Oilers on the ice? Kassian is a 6’3” forward that clocks in at 217 pounds. Just as I wrote a few weeks back, you can’t teach size, he has it. Kassian is also a physical player who brings that ‘heavy’ game to the table. Not enough players in Edmonton’s lineup currently can bring that element.
He is an agitating forward, a guy built to get under the other team’s skin with hitting and play that boarders on dirty. Judging by the reaction from Oiler fans early on Monday, he clearly does that job quite well. He is the kind of guy that other teams hate to play against, he drives them crazy. Edmonton doesn’t have a player like that currently.
Offensively, this isn’t a difference maker, at least he hasn’t been in his career to this point. His career high offensively is 14-15-29 in 73 games, that came last season. If Kassian posts those numbers on a regular basis, he’d be a very solid third line power forward. Again, Edmonton does not have a player like that.
Another positive point to Zack Kassian’s game? He wins battles along the boards and in the tough areas. Again, Edmonton does not have a lot of guys that can do that.
Why Kassian?:
Peter Chiarelli has liked this player for a long time. While in Boston, Chiarelli showed interest in him and nearly pulled the trigger on a deal that would have sent him to Beantown. This is a player that he likes and a player that fits the mold of what he is looking for. If Chiarelli wants to make the Oilers a tougher and heavier team, then Kassian fits the bill.
What They Are Saying:
Some quotes from Chiarelli, Taylor Hall (Kassian’s junior teammate in Windsor) and Todd McLellan, via the Oilers’ twitter account.
@EdmontonOilers: “Kassian is the type of player that would help us in his prime.”
#Oilers President & GM Peter Chiarelli on today’s trade with Montreal@EdmontonOilers: “He’s got to show us, and if he doesn’t, that’ll be it. He’s had issues, but he should be highly motivated.” Chiarelli on Kassian’s chance
@EdmontonOilers: “You offer support, treat him like one of the guys & try to be the best teammate you can… I’m rooting for him.”
@hallsy04 on Kassian@EdmontonOilers: “The first thing that comes to me is size and a skill-set that goes with it.” Coach McLellan on facing Zack Kassian in previous seasons
Will It Work:
Honestly, I’m not sure. I like the idea here, trading a player that is simply not part of the plans anymore for a guy that could very well end up being a key part moving forward. If Kassian works out, then Edmonton has a legit power forward in their top-nine for the first time in years. If not, then they let him walk as a free agent in July.
I’ve said it for years, the Edmonton Oilers need to change the mix. They have too many small and skilled players and have a soft lineup overall. If Zack Kassian can come to Edmonton and prove he can play in the NHL while providing the Oilers with a functioning power forward, then the mix begins to change.
Peter Chiarelli wants heavier and tougher players and he is taking a chance on one here. The risk is minimal, this is not the end of the world.
I don’t know if it will work, there are a lot of factors both on and off the ice, but I’ll be rooting for the comeback story and for the Oilers to gain a valuable piece.
Good Luck Ben:
Ben Scrivens is a class act, truly is. Things didn’t work out in Edmonton and that is due to a number of reasons. Scrivens was not good last season and part of that falls on him. The Oilers were also woefully poor defensively and had a coach at the start of the season who had no clue what was going on. It was a bad mix.
I’ll be rooting for him to put his NHL career back together in Montreal, hopefully Ben gets back on track. He’s a good guy and deserves another shot. Good luck to a classy guy.
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