Sean Maloughney: Paying Zack Kassian

First

Good blog.

Chiasson and Maroon are the comparables.

I think you can get Kassian for under 3 easy.

With the comparables and his history he should get 2.5ish at most.

wasn't to long ago that kass wanted out of oil country......

I think there are a lot of teams who would pay him somewhere in the range of $4M and this is his last shot at a bigger money contract so I'm not sure he'd be signing up for a discount.

The thing is, he is the absolute ideal winger for McDavid and Drai. Would you let someone who boosting your top line to far and away the best in the league go for $1M per year? I wouldn't.

He’s a scrub who would be getting 750k on a 4th line elsewhere, putting up 15-20 points a season. He’s doing very well playing with 2 of the best this season, but where would he be without them?

I have a question to pose. How much is it worth to have a winger that gives your two biggest stars extra room out on the ice. Kassian is never shy to protect his teammates and that might add to his base salary....

Don't overpay your Alex Burrows...Anson Carter...dude beside the Sedin'sx1000

He’s a scrub who would be getting 750k on a 4th line elsewhere, putting up 15-20 points a season. He’s doing very well playing with 2 of the best this season, but where would he be without them?
- halo63

This. The Oilers should offer him something they deem affordable and tell him to take it or leave it.

If Kassian goes, who replaces him ?

I have a question to pose. How much is it worth to have a winger that gives your two biggest stars extra room out on the ice. Kassian is never shy to protect his teammates and that might add to his base salary....

I agree with this sentiment, but not suggesting he is worth 4x4+

He CAN play on a line with McD and Drai, which other players cannot do, and that has value.

3x3 would be more the target I would look at, he has some game left but, requires complementary players to work with and only a foolish/desperate GM would be paying more for someone who is not driving the line.

If Kassian goes, who replaces him ?
- Finkler

Any 2-3 million dollar third liner in free agency.

The highest I go is 2.5mil. I ask him "do you wanna keep having the time of your life playing with the best duo in the league on the team that gave you a real second chance or do you wanna chase a couple extra million that isn't even guaranteed (see Maroon, as you mentioned)?" Easy choice in my estimation.

Big guys with some skill are out there and I'm sure a replacement could be found with some trial & error. There's probably a bunch of guys who, given the motivation of a spot next to the Wonder Twins, could bring most of what Kassian brings for much cheaper than even the 2.5mil I'm suggesting.

The highest I go is 2.5mil. I ask him "do you wanna keep having the time of your life playing with the best duo in the league on the team that gave you a real second chance or do you wanna chase a couple extra million that isn't even guaranteed (see Maroon, as you mentioned)?" Easy choice in my estimation.
- MaximumBone

It will be an easy choice, as history has shown that kind of guys always go where term and money is... and there will be someone paying it.

So if he doesn't extend, does he get traded prior to the deadline? He's definitely an asset in the playoffs, but selling high would be tempting as well.

First

Good blog.

Chiasson and Maroon are the comparables.

I think you can get Kassian for under 3 easy.

With the comparables and his history he should get 2.5ish at most.
- Aerchon

anything over 2.5 let him walk

Don't overpay your Alex Burrows...Anson Carter...dude beside the Sedin'sx1000
- AdamFrench

The voice of reason

So if he doesn't extend, does he get traded prior to the deadline? He's definitely an asset in the playoffs, but selling high would be tempting as well.
- sAFETY

Depends where we are in relation to the playoffs. If the wheels fall off and we drop hard, sure. If we're within reach of or in the playoffs, keep him without question. This team needs the playoffs and needs to follow a playoff season without an offseason where they actually upgrade instead of what happened last time.

It will be an easy choice, as history has shown that kind of guys always go where term and money is... and there will be someone paying it.
- VeryModernMan

History has also shown that he might last late into summer because no one wants to pay his ask and then only get offered a 1-year deal by another team. At that point, revisiting the Oilers deal may not look so bad.

Babcock got poop canned.... yeah thats the Leafs problem

So if he doesn't extend, does he get traded prior to the deadline? He's definitely an asset in the playoffs, but selling high would be tempting as well.
- sAFETY

Assuming Edmonton continues to be a playoff team, no way do they move Kassian. Those are the risks any other playoff team takes with their pending UFA's.

Assuming Edmonton continues to be a playoff team, no way do they move Kassian.
- freelancer

As your fantasy squad is a little(!) outside the playoff picture, when can we talk the first trade to improve the situation?

As your fantasy squad is a little(!) outside the playoff picture, when can we talk the first trade to improve the situation?
- VeryModernMan

I think the first decision to be made is to fire the GM.

Don't overpay your Alex Burrows...Anson Carter...dude beside the Sedin'sx1000
- AdamFrench

http://youtu.be/Jtnce5ElWWY?t=68

I think a guy like Khaira is a good comparison...Kassian chooses to walk JJ could slip right into that role..
I also believe Kassian wants to be a part of the future especially being on a a line with the dynamic duo... After all it was the oil that gave him a second or third chance to turn his life around..So a slight pay cut should be acceptable

I have a question to pose. How much is it worth to have a winger that gives your two biggest stars extra room out on the ice. Kassian is never shy to protect his teammates and that might add to his base salary....
- polcat27

Only one team pays David Clarkson money for that.