Quote:
Originally Posted by Zassk
Team1040 made some interesting observations today:
- Kassian has 3 goals, 4 assists in his first 27 NHL games.
- Milan Lucic had 2 goals, 4 assists in his first 27 NHL games.
- Lucic went on to score 8 goals that season.
- Lucic averaged 2 goals per playoff series in his first playoffs.
I don't think anyone questions Lucic's value (vs. Hodgson).
I think the trade will look very good if the Canucks can get 2 goals per playoff series from Kassian, as Lucic did.
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That's a big IF. Canuck management, and fans alike are hoping that Kassian turns out to be like Lucic. We'll have to see, though. I'd give it 2-3 years of development. With this being said, Lucic does have a spot in the top 6 in Boston. Does Kassian have such a role here in Van? Because tonight, he was playing on the 4th line (against Phoenix). If the Canucks are going to develop Kassian into a top six role kind of player, he needs to be playing in the top six, not on the fourth line.
I have high hopes for Kassian, and hope that for the sake of the organization, he turns out well.
This is what I would put as the lines, if I were AV:
Sedin-Sedin-Burr
Booth-Kes-Kassian
Higgins-Pahlsson-Hansen
Malhotra-Lappiere-Raymond/Bitz
I'm not certain where Raymond fits now in the line-up. He's not a guy who fits on the fourth line, but I hate to see Kassian placed there.