Did this guy play for WD in Medicine Hat?
- Retinalz

I think he and his parents stopped and got gas there once on a childhood road trip. Something Kassian never did.

McCann with another 2pts so far tonight.

I was bored so i looked at his game log... 53pts in his last 33 games

Seems to be getting stronger as the season goes along!
- Mungo

15 less games played then last year and has 1 more goal and 5 more assists, hoping he can translate to NHL

McCann with another 2pts so far tonight.

I was bored so i looked at his game log... 53pts in his last 33 games

Seems to be getting stronger as the season goes along!
- Mungo

4 on the night

I think he and his parents stopped and got gas there once on a childhood road trip. Something Kassian never did.
- PetrolSexual

You sound bitter.

4 on the night
- Bieksa#3

He's looking much better than Virtanen right now.

He's looking much better than Virtanen right now.
- boonerbuck

He's a way better 2 way player. Virtanen has a significantly higher offense skill set.

You sound bitter.
- boonerbuck

Not bitter, just tired of WD not holding everybody equally accountable. If he were scratching Higgins or Vey for their poor play it wouldn't be as

This old Fogerty guy can still rock!

- boonerbuck

Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks for the reminder.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I ran out and can't get more until tomorrow

Not bitter, just tired of WD not holding everybody equally accountable. If he were scratching Higgins or Vey for their poor play it wouldn't be as
- PetrolSexual

Have you ever met a coach that actually held everyone equally accountable or heard of a team that felt everyone was being treated equally? Sounds almost like a fantasy, might be little stretches of this but with human nature, oh woe is me, is bound to creep in.

I want to give WD the benefit of the doubt that he tries to hold everyone equally accountable and might just have different coaching and motivating approaches with different players and situations.

I like seeing all WD's silly faces when he is on the bench.

I think WD has let a lot slide with Higgins. But WD may see effort or know about nagging injuries that aren't made public.

I ran out and can't get more until tomorrow
- PetrolSexual

Who the hell runs out.

Who the hell runs out.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I know, right! I'm loyal to my girl cuz' she's a total smoke show. Our schedules just didn't align until tomorrow. Just beer tonight.

Have you ever met a coach that actually held everyone equally accountable or heard of a team that felt everyone was being treated equally? Sounds almost like a fantasy, might be little stretches of this but with human nature, oh woe is me, is bound to creep in.

I want to give WD the benefit of the doubt that he tries to hold everyone equally accountable and might just have different coaching and motivating approaches with different players and situations.

I like seeing all WD's silly faces when he is on the bench.

I think WD has let a lot slide with Higgins. But WD may see effort or know about nagging injuries that aren't made public.
- hillbillydeluxe

One of my beer league teammates played junior for WD. He's not a fan of big willie's style; says he is a total wiener if you aren't in his good books.

Have you ever met a coach that actually held everyone equally accountable or heard of a team that felt everyone was being treated equally? Sounds almost like a fantasy, might be little stretches of this but with human nature, oh woe is me, is bound to creep in.

I want to give WD the benefit of the doubt that he tries to hold everyone equally accountable and might just have different coaching and motivating approaches with different players and situations.

I like seeing all WD's silly faces when he is on the bench.

I think WD has let a lot slide with Higgins. But WD may see effort or know about nagging injuries that aren't made public.
- hillbillydeluxe

Hey, cut him some slack, he just ran out.

I know, right! I'm loyal to my girl cuz' she's a total smoke show. Our schedules just didn't align until tomorrow. Just beer tonight.
- PetrolSexual

two words - aqua velva shooters (ok three words, work with me here)

two words - aqua velva shooters (ok three words, work with me here)
- Zogg

Thanks for the advice, but I kicked the Aqua Velva habit. It was either go get beer or toilet bowl cleaner sours. I think I made the right choice.

One of my beer league teammates played junior for WD. He's not a fan of big willie's style; says he is a total wiener if you aren't in his good books.
- PetrolSexual

Can't argue with that except to say, I have never heard of a coach that didn't have their favourites... doesn't make it right but there ya go.

I don't like seeing Kassian sit either when some other guys have looked just as bad or worse in their effort and compete levels, but his first bit back after being scratched he looks more engaged and at times dynamic.

WD's approach is working to some extent.

Hey, cut him some slack, he just ran out.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Sorry, had some and got all thoughtful and zenning out.

Can't argue with that except to say, I have never heard of a coach that didn't have their favourites... doesn't make it right but there ya go.

I don't like seeing Kassian sit either when some other guys have looked just as bad or worse in their effort and compete levels, but his first bit back after being scratched he looks more engaged and at times dynamic.

WD's approach is working to some extent.

- hillbillydeluxe

At some point you risk alienating a player, though. Like you said, I hate to see pretty much plugs taking the spot of someone like Kassian. Is there in fact something to the whole coaches favourite dynamic? it would certainly seem to be the case based on what I've seen (and not just in Vancouver but pretty much across the board as has been noted)

Thanks for the advice, but I kicked the Aqua Velva habit. It was either go get beer or toilet bowl cleaner sours. I think I made the right choice.
- PetrolSexual

My friend, I concur, you made the right choice

At some point you risk alienating a player, though. Like you said, I hate to see pretty much plugs taking the spot of someone like Kassian. Is there in fact something to the whole coaches favourite dynamic? it would certainly seem to be the case based on what I've seen (and not just in Vancouver but pretty much across the board as has been noted)
- Zogg

Kenins style of play has been better on the 4th line.

McMillan is hopefully just taking a little time to adjust, hasn't shown better than Kassian.

With Kassian's history of treatment and placement within the lineup, coaches may see some stuff they like, the skill size and skating, but how they utilize him has to be some sort of indicator of his effort, consistency and defensive zone play.

At least that is what the chicken bones and tea leaves are telling me.

Kenins style of play has been better on the 4th line.

McMillan is hopefully just taking a little time to adjust, hasn't shown better than Kassian.

With Kassian's history of treatment and placement within the lineup, coaches may see some stuff they like, the skill size and skating, but how they utilize him has to be some sort of indicator of his effort, consistency and defensive zone play.

At least that is what the chicken bones and tea leaves are telling me.
- hillbillydeluxe

ha ha, do you also sacrifice chickens at midnight during full moons?

Some good points, indeed, but I still maintain that for a player that is that young, consistency is the hardest thing to find. I guess my point being, you simply have to have more patience with this type of player and realize you are going to have to take the good with the bad. Remember what a fantastic defensive player Bret Hull turned out to be? I know defense is important but you have to play to the individuals best strengths. All of the x and o stuff can be taught in due course.

I having a feeling there might be some sort of disconnect between WD and Kassian. I hope that's not the case, however, and that WD knows how to get the most out of Kassian by a little bit of tough love as it were.

ha ha, do you also sacrifice chickens at midnight during full moons?

Some good points, indeed, but I still maintain that for a player that is that young, consistency is the hardest thing to find. I guess my point being, you simply have to have more patience with this type of player and realize you are going to have to take the good with the bad. Remember what a fantastic defensive player Bret Hull turned out to be? I know defense is important but you have to play to the individuals best strengths. All of the x and o stuff can be taught in due course.

I having a feeling there might be some sort of disconnect between WD and Kassian. I hope that's not the case, however, and that WD knows how to get the most out of Kassian by a little bit of tough love as it were.
- Zogg

I heard WD sound like Torts a few times this season and it has always been about effort and consistency. If you have one good game, good effort, driving the net, then why aren't you doing it in the next game and the one after that?

Players show what they can do and it is part of the coaches job to help them to repeat and elevate their play. Kassian shows it and then disappears and is scratched, then when he gets into the lineup again, he has another good showing.

People want to see Kassian succeed. I think WD wants him to succeed. Maybe he will play harder and be scratched less because of this approach.

Does consistency come with age or effort? The coach wants to see the effort. Which has been frustrating at times when others in the lineup have shown the same but still don't get scratched.