Zack Kassian will get a chance to develop as a power forward during the lockout. Kassian will get plenty of playing time with the AHL Chicago Wolves. "Zack is moving really well and has been a force playing a power-forward role," Wolves coach Scott Arniel said Thursday. "The surprise to me is that I've really noticed his playmaking ability, and that's something I wasn't expecting. But getting thrown into the fire in Vancouver, he had a lot of pressure in being traded for a popular player who was playing well for the Canucks." Kassian didn't get off to the best of starts with Vancouver after he was traded for Cody Hodgson. Still, this will provide him with an opportunity to put that all behind him in a comparatively low pressure environment.

Zack Kassian has been reassigned to the AHL. In 44 games in the NHL last year, the 21-year-old had 10 points and 51 penalty minutes. Getting sent to the minors gives him an opportunity to play during the work stoppage.

Zack Kassian is eligible to head down to the minors if the start of the NHL season is delayed by a lockout. He was asked if knowing where he will play if there's a work stoppage is 'comforting' and he said, "I don't think it's comfort, I think it's opportunity. It's fun knowing I'll have a place to play either here or in Chicago. If it does happen that I end up in Chicago, I'll take every opportunity to get better down there." He recorded 15 goals and 26 points 30 games with Buffalo's AHL affiliate in Rochester last season, while also spending time in the NHL with the Sabres and Canucks.

Zack Kassian will make his playoff debut in his return from a shoulder injury. The big Canucks winger hasn't played since Apr. 3 due to the injury. Kassian will join Manny Malhotra and Byron Bitz on the club's fourth line. The 21-year-old produced 10 points and 51 penalty minutes in 44 games this season between Vancouver and Buffalo.

Zack Kassian (shoulder) is getting "real close" to returning to the Vancouver Canucks' lineup. The 21-year-old was added at the deadline to provide toughness, but hasn't played since April 3 after suffering a shoulder injury against the Ducks. Kassian practiced on a spare line Monday and called himself "day to day." Coach Alain Vigneault is optimistic a return is near. "He's real close," said Vigneault. "He was in a regular color (jersey) today and he had a full practice with no limitations as far as I know. I think he's real close." The Canucks open their first-round series Monday.

Zack Kassian suffered an upper-body injury late in the second period on Tuesday night. He played just 7:42 of ice time before leaving the contest and he did not return. Consider him day-to-day for now, but with two games left in the regular season for Vancouver, it's not a stretch to believe that he may be done before the playoffs. Kassian has posted three points and 31 penalty minutes in 17 games with the Canucks after being acquired at the trade deadline from Buffalo.

Zack Kassian has been placed on the top line with Henrik Sedin and Mason Raymond. With Daniel Sedin out of the lineup with a concussion, this may not be the top unit anymore but Henrik is still a top-ten scorer. Kassian has taken over Daniel's spot on the line and will get every chance to show he belongs there as Daniel Sedin is not expected to return to the lineup anytime soon. He is worth a shot in deeper pools at this time and consider him late in playoff pools as the Canucks have the capability to go far.

In their first games against their former clubs, Zack Kassian bettered Cody Hodgson. Kassian scored a goal and added an assist in the Canucks' 5-3 loss to Buffalo Saturday night. Hodgson did not appear on the scoresheet. Kassian seemed at home on Vancouver's second line alongside Ryan Kessler and Alex Burrows after replacing Mason Raymond early in the game. If Kassian can keep this gig, he could prove to be a fantasy asset.

Zack Kassian will play against Buffalo less than a week after the Sabres traded him to Vancouver. Kassian will get a chance to show the Sabres what they gave up on Saturday. "It's going to be special," Kassian said. "It's going to be a lot of fun. I know a lot of guys over there and I made some good friendships but it's not going to be about me, and it's not going to be about the return of Cody." Kassian is referring to Cody Hodgson, the main player the Canucks surrendered in the Kassian deal. The trade ensures that those two players will be compared for years to come.

Zack Kassian had a very good game for the Vancouver Canucks Thursday. The Canucks dealt for the 21-year-old forward on Monday, giving up Cody Hodgson. Kassian was part of the fourth line and had four hits while linemate Max Lapierre had 10 as the line was all over the St. Louis Blues. The Canucks would love it if Kassian eventually becomes the power forward who plays with the Sedin twins but that may be a couple of years in the future.