Zack Kassian as a Defenseman

[culee]

Just something I thought about for fun. Don't take it too seriously!

Reasons why I think there could be potential success:
1) Good size and physically intimidating
2) Good speed and skating for a big guy
3) Capable of making huge hits
4) Good awareness/ vision offensively and defensively
5) Skillful pass and shot
6) Keeps Kassian more active and responsible during his time on ice


Though far from reality, but with the talent and size he has, I could seem him as a puck-moving, bone crushing defender.

What do you guys/ girls think?

Click to read more...

 

[canuck4life16]

I think he should be tried at center, he has the size to go against another team top line

 

[Tiranis]

He couldn't skate backwards to save his life and his pivots suck from everything I've seen.

 

[PG Canuck]

All the points you mentioned are why Kassian is going to be a good forward.

 

[Pseudonymous*]

hes progressing just fine. no reason to change anything. except maybe give him better linemates and live with a few of his mistakes while hes growing.

but they are giving him 2nd unit PP time, thats good.

he'll be just fine.

 

[Hansen]

I think he should be tried at center, he has the size to go against another team top line

He's good on the dot too. He won almost every draw when Hank got waved out at the start of the season. Might be worth a try.

 

[Fat Tony]

He's good on the dot too. He won almost every draw when Hank got waved out at the start of the season. Might be worth a try.

He's taken 5 FO this season and won only 1.

 

[Icebreakers]

No no no. KESLER would make the best defensemen for the Canucks. No more skate into the zone and shoot in shin guard/miss the net , or try to deke 3 defenders and give up possession.

Kesler has a very hard and accurate shot that could be used on the PP (Already is). Less ways to injure himself (no more reckless plays) .

Hes a RIGHT handed shot which could be played beside Edler. Kesler is already a "defensive first" player.

To me he would make an ideal defensemen.

Thoughts?

 

[Aphid Attraction]

He's good on the dot too. He won almost every draw when Hank got waved out at the start of the season. Might be worth a try.

He's taken 5 FO this season and won only 1.

Advanced stats don't always tell the whole story, some times you have to watch the game

 

[Fat Tony]

What advanced stats? Kassian is not a FO guy.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

Hes not even a good winger, why try him a defense?

 

[Aphid Attraction]

What advanced stats? Kassian is not a FO guy.

That was the joke. Referring to what is said about advanced stats, Because face offs % is not...

 

[Johnny Canucker]

What advanced stats? Kassian is not a FO guy.

ummmm

Mason Raymond went 1/9 last night

 

[Cocoa Crisp]

No no no. KESLER would make the best defensemen for the Canucks. No more skate into the zone and shoot in shin guard/miss the net , or try to deke 3 defenders and give up possession.

Kesler has a very hard and accurate shot that could be used on the PP (Already is). Less ways to injure himself (no more reckless plays) .

Hes a RIGHT handed shot which could be played beside Edler. Kesler is already a "defensive first" player.

To me he would make an ideal defensemen.

Thoughts?

When he returns, Kes should be played at wing, assuming his ego can tolerate it.

 

[canuck4life16]

When he returns, Kes should be played at wing, assuming his ego can tolerate it.

who would play center Schroeder?

 

[Cocoa Crisp]

who would play center Schroeder?

Yes. With kes taking the majority of the face offs. Throwing him into the deep end and hoping he figures things out while everyone else is in mid-season form didn't work out so well. Phase him in slowly by lightening his defensive load while still playing Ina top6 capacity. That's what I'd do at least.

 

[Free Edler]

I also think this is a poor idea.

 

[Fat Tony]

ummmm

Mason Raymond went 1/9 last night

He actually started as a center. And yes, 1/9 really sucks.

Edit - started the game, I mean.

 

[canuck4life16]

Yes. With kes taking the majority of the face offs. Throwing him into the deep end and hoping he figures things out while everyone else is in mid-season form didn't work out so well. Phase him in slowly by lightening his defensive load while still playing Ina top6 capacity. That's what I'd do at least.

and maybe Kassasin on the other wing but we would have no third line center

 

[Jyrki]

No no no. KESLER would make the best defensemen for the Canucks. No more skate into the zone and shoot in shin guard/miss the net , or try to deke 3 defenders and give up possession.

Kesler has a very hard and accurate shot that could be used on the PP (Already is). Less ways to injure himself (no more reckless plays) .

Hes a RIGHT handed shot which could be played beside Edler. Kesler is already a "defensive first" player.

To me he would make an ideal defensemen.

Thoughts?

Horrible idea. Every shift he would try to pull a Bobby Orr and moments later he'd be on his ass watching a 2-on-1 going the other way.

 

[Phrazer]

Lets give him an audition is Goal too, we could use more depth in that position.

 

[kmad]

4) Good awareness/ vision offensively and defensively

Since we're just making things up, why not try using that expert glove hand and put him in goal for a few games?

 

[PG Canuck]

No no no. KESLER would make the best defensemen for the Canucks. No more skate into the zone and shoot in shin guard/miss the net , or try to deke 3 defenders and give up possession.

Kesler has a very hard and accurate shot that could be used on the PP (Already is). Less ways to injure himself (no more reckless plays) .

Hes a RIGHT handed shot which could be played beside Edler. Kesler is already a "defensive first" player.

To me he would make an ideal defensemen.

Thoughts?

No. Kesler would just revert back to being a forward because that's all he's played. You're going to be hard-pressed to find a forward that hasn't played defense before, just change and play it well. Kesler would be like Mike Green, but worse.

 

[TheBleedingEdge]

Kassian is a second line power forward, he just needs to get those minutes to develop. He has a good skillset but needs skilled players on his line.

 

[Royal Canuck]

If anyone is going in net, it's Andrew Alberts.

Just put the biggest guy in there.