Alright, incredible is quite the exaggeration. But say what you will, Zack Kassian is playing incredibly right now.
After the San Jose Sharks took a 1-0 series lead, Kassian has found himself Edmonton’s series savior. Potting two game winning goals in as many contests. Edmonton now leads the series 2-1.
And Kassian’s career couldn’t have turned around at a better time for the Edmonton Oilers.
Drafted in the first round, 13th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres, Zack Kassian enjoyed a productive – if also turbulent – junior career. He won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires in 2010 but his personal problems sometimes over shadowed his career potential.
Attitude, alcohol and drug problems plagued Kassian.
Photo Credit: NHL.com.
These issues followed him to the big leagues, too. His career in Buffalo was cut short when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. But Kassian failed to shine on John Tortorella.
On July 1, 2015, in one of the saddest trades in recent memory, the Canucks traded
Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images.
Kassian and a 5th Round Pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft to the Montreal Canadiens who sent an aged Brandon Prust back in return.
Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin was willing to give Kassian one last shot at the NHL. But Kassian’s now notorious pre-season car crash, followed by a stint in rehab, effectively ended any hope of the former first-rounder making a comeback.
In December of 2015 he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for goaltender Ben Scrivens.
Perhaps it was the publicity of it all. Perhaps the partying had finally gotten old. Perhaps he just needed to be in the right place, at the right time. And perhaps Edmonton is that right place, and that time is now. Maybe it’s just something in the air in Edmonton. Whatever it is, it’s working.
Kassian has been playing like the young, fast, power forward Buffalo drafted 13th overall all those years ago.
Zack Kassian’s size and grit have been a welcomed addition to the Edmonton lineup. Complimentary to the other big bodies in the lineup like Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, Patrick Maroon and Milan Lucic, just to name a few.
In tight, Kassian is once again showing his skills. Pretty plays and quick hands have scored Edmonton’s last two game winning goals. For a big man, he is deceivingly fast as well. Those jets are a big reason the Oilers are up in the series.
Whether it’s the twilight of his career or just a renaissance, the Edmonton Oilers owe it all to Kassian’s play as of late.
And though the road has been a rocky one, Kassian owes it all to the Oilers as well.
The Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks play Game 4 tonight at 10:00pm Eastern; 7:00pm Pacific Time.
Edmonton leads the series 2-1.
You can ‘Like’ The Game Haus on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Joe!
“From Our Haus to Yours”
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
