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Kassian on potential trade: ‘If it happens, it happens’

Zack Kassian

Zack Kassian was once again a healthy scratch last night for the Vancouver Canucks. And once again his absence from the lineup, this time in Philadelphia, had people buzzing about a possible trade of the 23-year-old winger.

So, how did Kassian, who vowed a couple of weeks ago that he wouldn’t be a healthy scratch again, explain coach Willie Desjardins’ decision to put him in the press box versus the Flyers?

“I laid an egg in Nashville (on Tuesday) and I guess there can’t be any dips in my game or else I’ll be out of the lineup,” he told TSN 1040 (audio).

“I need to get my coach’s trust back I guess.”

And what does he think of the trade rumors?

“It’s a little frustrating,” he said, “but I’m at the point now where if it happens, it happens. It means another team wants you, maybe you get a little more opportunity.

“But I’m a Vancouver Canuck. I love it here. I especially love the guys here. So I’m not thinking too much about that stuff.”

GM Jim Benning was asked about Kassian today, also on TSN 1040 (audio).

Predictably, he hedged his answer.

“Teams have phoned to inquire about him,” said Benning. “Zack’s a young player. He’s a power-forward style player. We’ll listen to what teams say, but he’s not unlike a lot of our other players that teams phone and inquire about.

“If something comes up where we think it’s a good deal for us, then we’ll do it if we make the organization better.”

Related: Benning on Kassian: ‘He’s got the physicality and size to be a power forward for us’