1. His character -awesome team guy , you will never have a question.
2. Work ethic - yes he busts his ass off, does best with what he has with speed and strength, will improve but he never gives up as it is.
3. Intelligence- He is so smart on both sides of the puck, little plays, deft passes knows where to go and how to find open man.
4.Great offensive instincs ,not afraid to shoot first and has a great shot.

The guy he really reminds me of is Ron Francis, maybe a bit less skill but more intensity. Future captain material. You won't need more than a handful of games to see his future for yourself. Unlike Kassian this guy is as sure of a thing as it comes. Expect him to be a very good NHL player for the next 15 years.
- natowar

Wow, he seems to have all the intangibles that Kassian is lacking really. I hope for you guys that Kassian flips a switch and starts to get "it" or this may go down as a very bad deal for you guys. But if Kassian can be that 20 goal, 50 point guy that drops the gloves 8-10x a year, you'll be fine.

Wow, he seems to have all the intangibles that Kassian is lacking really. I hope for you guys that Kassian flips a switch and starts to get "it" or this may go down as a very bad deal for you guys. But if Kassian can be that 20 goal, 50 point guy that drops the gloves 8-10x a year, you'll be fine.
- Homer

Yep my problem is I'm not sure he flips that switch ever.


And for you Vancouver fans I hope I'm wrong because that would mean we've burned you 3 times on forwards.

Pyatt
Bernier
Kassian????

Really all Kassian needs to do is be a driving physical player that creates havoc and space and throws the occasional hard body check. If he can bang in 15 golas a year on top then it's what we need. If he can be a young Chris Neil we will be happy.

I'm really looking forward to the potential chemistry between Hodgson and Ennis. Vanek will like him too. Damn it's a good day to be a Sabre's fan

Yep my problem is I'm not sure he flips that switch ever.


And for you Vancouver fans I hope I'm wrong because that would mean we've burned you 3 times on forwards.

Pyatt
Bernier
Kassian????
- dadeadhead

Mogilny....i think he only had one good year there

ehhh two, we got Peca though for it

Mogilny....i think he only had one good year there

ehhh two, we got Peca though for it
- TaroTsujimoto

Mogilny wasn't a "Power Forward" like those three are/were supposed to be.

Yep my problem is I'm not sure he flips that switch ever.


And for you Vancouver fans I hope I'm wrong because that would mean we've burned you 3 times on forwards.

Pyatt
Bernier
Kassian????
- dadeadhead

We are trying to be optimistic. I think Kassian will be put in a very good position with the Canucks. He will start out on the 4th line and essentially be told "crash and bang". He's a young guy who will be surrounded by solid, veteran leadership. He's still only 21, I think people in this league are too quick to write off young power forwards. Players like Bertuzzi, Doan, and Morrow all took a little while longer to develop.

I'm also cautiously optimistic about MAG. 24 years old and a PPG player last year in the AHL? He's obviously had some struggles this year with you guys, but he certainly wouldn't be the first D-man to suffer through a sophomore slump.

Yep my problem is I'm not sure he flips that switch ever.


And for you Vancouver fans I hope I'm wrong because that would mean we've burned you 3 times on forwards.

Pyatt
Bernier
Kassian????
- dadeadhead

That's ok, feel a bit guilty for Sedins making Ehrhoff look maybe a wee bit better than he thought he was.

We are trying to be optimistic. I think Kassian will be put in a very good position with the Canucks. He will start out on the 4th line and essentially be told "crash and bang". He's a young guy who will be surrounded by solid, veteran leadership. He's still only 21, I think people in this league are too quick to write off young power forwards. Players like Bertuzzi, Doan, and Morrow all took a little while longer to develop.

I'm also cautiously optimistic about MAG. 24 years old and a PPG player last year in the AHL? He's obviously had some struggles this year with you guys, but he certainly wouldn't be the first D-man to suffer through a sophomore slump.
- Brandon_Lee

he struggled this year but he was very good for us in the playoffs last year. We have a lot of depth on D so good move for him.

I dont know your D depth, will he play there right away?

That's ok, feel a bit guilty for Sedins making Ehrhoff look maybe a wee bit better than he thought he was.
- natowar

Don't be.


He is exactly what I thought he'd be. Good in the offensive zone, prone to (frank) ups in his own zone. Great breakout pass. Very good skater.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Mogilny wasn't a "Power Forward" like those three are/were supposed to be.
- dadeadhead

I was just adding it to the list of guilt

That's ok, feel a bit guilty for Sedins making Ehrhoff look maybe a wee bit better than he thought he was.
- natowar

Ehrhoff has been playing his arse off here actually, most people around here are pretty happy with him.

Don't be.


He is exactly what I thought he'd be. Good in the offensive zone, prone to (frank) ups in his own zone. Great breakout pass. Very good skater.

Nothing more, nothing less.
- dadeadhead

He plays harder and is more physical than I thought he would be.

he struggled this year but he was very good for us in the playoffs last year. We have a lot of depth on D so good move for him.

I dont know your D depth, will he play there right away?
- Homer

No, he will probably slot in at #7 right now. I would have to think he moves ahead of Andrew Alberts on the depth chart.

I don't know if he will play a lot right away, but he's a great insurance policy for Sami Salo. If Salo goes down at some point (which is highly likely), MAG will likely be given third pairing minutes and 1st/2nd PP duty.

I think the Canucks are more interested in him as a long term replacement for Salo. Outside of Edler, the Canucks don't have too many young offensive D-men.

I was just adding it to the list of guilt
- TaroTsujimoto

Peca, Wilson, and McKee.


Wilson became Warrener and a 5th rd pick (Miller)


Yeah I do feel a little guilty.

He plays harder and is more physical than I thought he would be.
- Homer

A little, you're right.


But he is what I expected.

No, he will probably slot in at #7 right now. I would have to think he moves ahead of Andrew Alberts on the depth chart.

I don't know if he will play a lot right away, but he's a great insurance policy for Sami Salo. If Salo goes down at some point (which is highly likely), MAG will likely be given third pairing minutes and 1st/2nd PP duty.

I think the Canucks are more interested in him as a long term replacement for Salo. Outside of Edler, the Canucks don't have too many young offensive D-men.
- Brandon_Lee

MAG will drive you nuts with his give aways.


At least he did that to me.

MAG will drive you nuts with his give aways.


At least he did that to me.
- dadeadhead

Don't worry, after he learns of the phantom concussion that Keith Ballard suffered for doing the exact same thing, I'm confident he will correct that flaw.

Either way, he clearly has a lot of offensive potential. Unfortunately, we will probably have to wait for awhile to see him play in Vancouver.

Courtesy of Hockey Futures:
Why I think this guy might be a little more of what we need than what we realize yet:

Alexander Sulzer
Prospect Grade: 6.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff

History

2004-05: Sulzer spent 2004-05 with the Dusseldorf Metro Stars in Germany’s top league. While Sulzer’s club struggled to a 10th place finish in their league, he personally turned in a solid campaign, picking up 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 42 games while managing a +7 plus/minus rating. Played in the 2005 World Championships.

2007-08: After a long career in Germany, this would be the year that Sulzer would make the jump to North American hockey. In his first pro season with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), he put up career-highs in goals (7), assists (25) and points (32) as well as games played (61).


Talent Analysis
Sulzer is a solid defenseman, who can combine physical presence on the ice with some good offensive skills. He is a very good skater with a remarkable stamina. His fine positional play and a strong shot from the blue line are making him a good all around defender. Furthermore Sulzer is playing an effective game in the corners and in front of the net. Sulzer is a very compact defender with lots of strength and less weaknesses. However Sulzer should work on his endurance in the next season, to open his way to the NHL.

Future
Projected as a 3 or 4 defenseman

Therefore a nice fit as a stay at home defenseman.....more likely a 5 or 6

Don't worry, after he learns of the phantom concussion that Keith Ballard suffered for doing the exact same thing, I'm confident he will correct that flaw.

Either way, he clearly has a lot of offensive potential. Unfortunately, we will probably have to wait for awhile to see him play in Vancouver.
- Brandon_Lee

I wish both those guys luck.

I really do.


IMO we got the better player.


The 1st for Goose was just icing on the cake.

Therefore a nice fit as a stay at home defenseman.....more likely a 5 or 6
- RicoMartin

In Rochester. He's 27yrs old and is just a depth guy.


Won't be offered a contract by us in the offseason.

Courtesy of Hockey Futures:
Why I think this guy might be a little more of what we need than what we realize yet:

Alexander Sulzer
Prospect Grade: 6.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff

History

2004-05: Sulzer spent 2004-05 with the Dusseldorf Metro Stars in Germany’s top league. While Sulzer’s club struggled to a 10th place finish in their league, he personally turned in a solid campaign, picking up 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 42 games while managing a +7 plus/minus rating. Played in the 2005 World Championships.

2007-08: After a long career in Germany, this would be the year that Sulzer would make the jump to North American hockey. In his first pro season with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), he put up career-highs in goals (7), assists (25) and points (32) as well as games played (61).


Talent Analysis
Sulzer is a solid defenseman, who can combine physical presence on the ice with some good offensive skills. He is a very good skater with a remarkable stamina. His fine positional play and a strong shot from the blue line are making him a good all around defender. Furthermore Sulzer is playing an effective game in the corners and in front of the net. Sulzer is a very compact defender with lots of strength and less weaknesses. However Sulzer should work on his endurance in the next season, to open his way to the NHL.

Future
Projected as a 3 or 4 defenseman

Therefore a nice fit as a stay at home defenseman.....more likely a 5 or 6
- RicoMartin

I wasn't very impressed with Sulzer. He's 27 and was #8 on the depth chart here. I would be very surprised if he's in the top 6 for you guys.

Great Move
Id like to see Pominville Hodgson Vanek line
Stafford Roy Leino

I wasn't very impressed with Sulzer. He's 27 and was #8 on the depth chart here. I would be very surprised if he's in the top 6 for you guys.
- Brandon_Lee

Unless injuries hit.


He won't be.

I wish both those guys luck.

I really do.


IMO we got the better player.


The 1st for Goose was just icing on the cake.
- dadeadhead

Yea, it definitely wasn't a bad day for Buffalo fans, huh?

You guys have always been one of my favorite teams in the East. I hope Hodgson works out well for you. Hopefully in five-ten years this will be looked at as a blockbuster deal that worked out well for both teams.

Unless injuries hit.


He won't be.
- dadeadhead

Probably a good thing. Like I said, I really wasn't impressed with him. Not very quick or physical. Just sort of plods along.