Do I like this trade? Not really.
Was this a shock? Yes
As a fan, the team did such a great job selling him to the public as the next big thing. The patience from management surrounding his development into what he is today also plays in part to why this city loves him so much.

Sadly, I dont think that Zack Kassian is the "now" the team should be looking for. In the short term, the pressure on guys to score is even greater now as Cody Hodgson took a lot of relief off the twins when they were not performing this past couple weeks.

In short, I hope this pays off well NOW. Because everyone will remember the team for the rings. and no one wants to be reminded of the one that got away

In the long run, Kassian could be wonderful. Big bruising winger that shows signs of Todd Bertuzzi with some great skill, yet can throw a pretty nasty hit and defend his teammates.

Pahlsson was acquired for his defensive skills. great shutdown center who can play wing and amazing on the PK. Scott Neidermyer has said that his defensive play was a big key to the ducks winning the cup. Gives Kes and Burr a bit of relief to know they dont have to do the double take on the PP and PK. More legs for the long haul you could say.

There's a chance that CoHo asked to be traded. MG refused to confirm this so it may be true.

Why does this deal makes me think that Kassian is going to be our Stojanov or Boston's Neely?

It's really a 22 year old prospect for 21 year old prospect.

The CoHo trade was a huge gamble. I'm sure Gillis offered Schroeder first, but Buffalo wouldn't bite.

If Kes goes down, the team has no depth at centre. Who's going to step up to play 2nd line centre? Malhotra? Reinprecht?

I just hope that for Gillis' sake, our top 2 centres don't get injured.
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There were rumblings in the off season on ths topic.
Like how he wanted to be closer to home and what not.

The Canucks did a great job by being patient with Cody. that was probably key to his development into the player he is today

If you listened to his TSN interview, the guy was genuinely shocked and speechless.

I'm sure CoHo wanted to stay here. His agent probably spoke on behalf of his parents. He's only 22(?) so the parents still probably have quite a bit of say in terms of his career.

Gillis is calculated in all his moves. Nothing to do but wait and see.

i guess maybe one of the things that bother me the most out of this trade is the NHL readiness/developed difference. we spent a ton of time working on coho and let him go right when things were looking up. kassian may have upside in the future, but i'm just not too sure how he'll be jumping into the line up and how effective he'll be in the playoffs.

sure they are 2 different players, but i feel like for this playoff run we might have been better off sticking with what he have. this deal wouldn't feel like it hurt half as bad if it was made in the summer.
i don't expect kassian to put up the same numbers as coho, but i sure hope to god this kid plays his heart out in the playoffs.

The +/- stat can be misleading at times and in his case it is. Ask any Sabres' fan who have watched him closely or just look around on any Sabres message board Giving Gragnani some publicity (he sucks at ice hockey) - Page 2 - HFBoards, he's very soft along the boards, panics when he feels pressure on him and often leading to turnovers in his own zone.

Again think Andy Delmore, MA Bergeron, Lukas Krajicek type. Pure PP specialist

To be honest I think it was good for Cody to leave. He isn't a 3rd/4th line centre as much as I loved him he needed somewhere to show his skill
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Canucks' play by play guy Dave Tomlinson also commented on this, said he talked to Hodgson in the hotel lobby after and Hodgson was seriously confussed, shocked and out of sorts.

i heard that as well
At 22, this is his first real taste of the business side of things in the big leagues

anyways, Harrison Mooney wrote a great article here.

Canucks, Sabres pull off last-minute deadline blockbuster; Hodgson, Kassian, trade places | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports

I was under the impression that Kassain would be able to jump into the lineup now and help us. This trade is even worse than i thought
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Let's also not forget that he's going from a cup contender to a team who needs tons of help if they even have a chance at the playoffs, let alone Stanley Cup. Coho prob is as disappointed, as he is shocked.

Funny thing. Not too long ago there were plenty of people writing off CoHo. MG must have something more to this than what we can see.

People writing off a player to his calibre isnt a shock to you?
this is Vancouver. The influence the local media has on the fanbase in this city is disgusting.

chips are all in on this one boys. Let's hope this all pays off.
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How are the chips all in?

Canucks, Sabres pull off last-minute deadline blockbuster; Hodgson, Kassian, trade places | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports

When I say it surprised everyone, I mean it. "I'm still in shock right now," said Hodgson to TSN just 5 minutes after learning of the trade. "It's tough to leave Vancouver… it's a great city, very passionate about its hockey."

Kassian was similarly taken aback: "I'm stunned," he said, adding, "I'm very excited to go and contend for a Cup now."

:thumbs:

Man did MG ever go by his philosophy of "acquiring players no one expects"

I wish you the best of luck Cody, welcome to Vancouver, Zack.
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The thing is, he might not even be able to play with the Canucks right now...

He on his way to pheonix right now
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We can now call him the Zack Attack when he makes a big play/fights or scores

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4249/img2dg.jpg

I'm excited to see Gragnani on the second power play now.

A lot of times, it's easy for teams to beat us by just defending well against the Sedins and Kesler in the top PP. The second unit rarely makes any spark. Maybe Gragnani gives us two deadly PP units. It would be 2 mins of threat instead of 1.

At least now Hansen wouldn't dare to say to Kassian he's gonna knock him out if he throws tape balls at him. lol