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Kassian: ‘The coach doesn’t see me fitting in right now’

Zack Kassian

Zack Kassian will be a healthy scratch tonight when the Vancouver Canucks play host to the L.A. Kings.

Kassian has not played since Nov. 25, in part, due to a finger injury.

According to coach Willie Desjardins, with the Canucks collecting points in four straight, including an impressive 3-1 win in San Jose, it’s tough to make a lineup change.

“(He) has done everything we’ve asked (and) worked really hard,” said Desjardins per The Vancouver Province. “It’s just hard some times. You’ve got tough line-up decisions. When you have guys that are playing well, some times you want to stay with it.”

Kassian has two goals and five points in 17 games this season to go along with a minus-5 rating.

“It’s definitely frustrating. I’ve prepared myself the way I have to to play, but the team is playing well right now,” Kassian said. “The finger is 100%. It’s been 100% for a little while now.

“The coach doesn’t see me fitting in right now. That’s the coach’s decision. It’s definitely frustrating. I want to play. But there’s nothing you can do about it. You can sit here and whine all day. It’s not going to help. When I get my chance, I’m not going to come back out, I can tell you that.”

Kassian has missed 18 games due to multiple injuries this season.

The 23-year-old netted a career-high 14 goals and 29 points in 73 games last season.

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