Zack Kassian registered an assist in a 2-1 victory over Winnipeg. Kassian is a physical forward that ends up spending some time in the sin bin, but not enough to justify owning him in standard leagues given his limited production offensively. He has nine points and 47 penalty minutes in 33 games this season.

Even with Alex Burrows sidelined, Canucks coach John Tortorella doesn't want 22-year-old Zack Kassian on the top line. "I'm not ready to put Zack in those situations where I am playing that line against probably the top two lines on the opposing team," Tortorella said. "We're still in the process of trying to get Zack to process the game, not only with the puck but away from the puck. So that's where I'm at there. It's tough when you have to worry about pucks going in the back of your net when players just aren't ready to read those situations." Kassian was taken with the 13th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He does have some offensive upside, but for now he's mostly noteworthy in fantasy circles because of his aggressive style of play. He has six points and 47 penalty minutes in 27 games this season.

After finding himself mostly on the bench for the Vancouver Canucks lately, Zack Kassian is sitting out Sunday's game in favor of Zac Dalpe. Kassian is one of those hot-and-cold fantasy guys who has been in a slump lately, barely getting any minutes as he loses approval from head coach John Tortorella.

Zack Kassian was benched on Saturday and played only 4:10 minutes. Coach John Tortorella did not elaborate when asked why Kassian was benched but Kassian stated: "I know the reason why I was benched but I'm not going to get into it. It's a team game and the team comes first." Stay tuned as Kassian has five goals and six points with 26 penalty minutes in 20 games this season.

Vancouver Canucks winger Zack Kassian had a productive Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs despite just 9:33 TOI. Kassian scored a goal, generated 10 PIM, three SOG and a hit. Even so, he remains a frustrating fantasy factor because he only has three points (all tallies) and 14 SOG in 11 GP. At least he has 19 PIM in his last four games.

Zack Kassian will have plenty of family and friends in attendance when Vancouver plays in Buffalo Thursday night. "It's going to be pretty cool to have them all there," he said. "It's tough to get all my family out to Vancouver, with their work schedules and what-not, so it is going to great to have them all there. I don't know how many are coming. I am still getting texts right now. Probably 20 or so." They will be making the trip from Windsor. He has one shot and five penalty minutes in two games this season.

Zack Kassian has finished serving his suspension and will be back in Vancouver's lineup Saturday night. He is slated to start on the third line with David Booth and Brad Richardson, which is where he skated during the team's morning session. Coach John Tortorella wants Kassian to play a heavy forechecking game in his season debut. The big winger was suspended for the Canucks' first five games of the year because he broke Edmonton center Sam Gagner's jaw with a reckless high stick during the exhibition schedule.

Zack Kassian (suspended) is eligible to return to the Vancouver lineup Saturday. Kassian was suspended during the preseason for his reckless use of a high stick on the Oilers Sam Gagner who is still a month away from returning to the lineup. The Canucks take on Montreal Saturday.

Zack Kassian has been banned for the rest of the preseason and for five regular-season contests for his high stick on Edmonton's San Gagner. Gagner suffered a broken jaw on the play and Kassian was assessed a double minor for high-sticking. He will be eligible to return on Oct. 12 when Vancouver hosts Montreal.

Zack Kassian is maintaining his innocence with regard to his high-stick which broke Sam Gagner's jaw. "Obviously, you never want to see anybody goes through that and it (high stick) was accidental and I hope he gets back sooner than later,"said Kassian. "Things happen at speed and it was a hockey play. I can sit here all day and plead my case. Both sides have their opinions of what happened and that's the way every incident works. I have to go about my business and respect the league's decision." He has an in-person hearing for the incident scheduled with the league on Monday.