From the Vancouver Sun’s Elliott Pap:
Zack Kassian on being a scratch vs Wild: “I played a good game against Buffalo, then that happens. I don’t know what is going on." #canucks
— Elliott Pap (@ElliottPap) February 2, 2015
The explanation from coach Willie Desjardins was that Kassian has to be more consistent. Which is the same explanation it’s always been with Kassian since he came to Vancouver in the Cody Hodgson trade.
Desjardins feels for Kassian, but in his opinion, Zack stil needs work on consistency, feeling he's too much "in and out" of games #TSN1040
— Jon Abbott (@AbbsPxP) February 2, 2015
To be sure, Kassian did have a few good moments in Friday’s 5-2 win over Buffalo...
At the same time, a lot of players have good moments against the Sabres. The 24-year-old winger also took another undisciplined penalty (by needlessly slashing goalie Matt Hackett) when the game was still up for grabs in the second period.
Kassian was scratched Sunday against the Wild because 1) Desjardins wanted to get Derek Dorsett, who missed the Sabres game with an injury, back into the lineup and 2) the coach decided to keep rookie Ronalds Kenins in the lineup in order to get a better look at the 23-year-old Latvian (who ended up scoring his first NHL goal).
Where this all ends up is hard to say. Kassian, with just two goals and four assists in 26 games, is clearly frustrated, and this won’t stop the trade rumors.
More Kassian on his situation: “Am I frustrated? You guys have no idea how effing frustrated I am." #Canucks
— Elliott Pap (@ElliottPap) February 2, 2015
At the same time, what’s the market for Kassian right now? His trade value has arguably never been lower.
Even more Kassian: "But that’s the way it is. I’m not going to sit here and sulk. I just have to find a way." #Canucks
— Elliott Pap (@ElliottPap) February 2, 2015