Sabres Ship Kassian and Gragnani to Vancouver for Hodgson and Sulzer

[HordiBrusk29]

I hate the Canucks and especially Mike Gillis but I must say I love this trade from the Canucks point of view.

Cody Hodgson is the best player involved in this deal. There is no doubt about that whatsoever. That being said he's stuck behind Sedin and Kesler on the depth chart and in my opinion his room for growth on the Canucks is limited. And it's no secret the Canucks lack grit. And it's become more evident they aren't interested in adding a heavyweight. So being able to acquire a player like Kassian is almost ideal in that sense. Gragnani isn't bad either and certainly upgrades their defense.

[Ciccarelli]

Can somebody give me an insight on Cody Hodgson? I know he is a skill-guy that had some injury problems (if I'm not wrong) already. How good is he supposed to be?

[4thLineGoon]

Hopefully the real Zack Kassian returns now, he was completely neutered in Buffalo/Rochester.

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

I hate the Canucks and especially Mike Gillis but I must say I love this trade from the Canucks point of view.

Cody Hodgson is the best player involved in this deal. There is no doubt about that whatsoever. That being said he's stuck behind Sedin and Kesler on the depth chart and in my opinion his room for growth on the Canucks is limited. And it's no secret the Canucks lack grit. And it's become more evident they aren't interested in adding a heavyweight. So being able to acquire a player like Kassian is almost ideal in that sense. Gragnani isn't bad either and certainly upgrades their defense.

Any chance you'll be breaking out the Nucks jersey again?

[gdameo]

Originally Posted by Ciccarelli

Can somebody give me an insight on Cody Hodgson? I know he is a skill-guy that had some injury problems (if I'm not wrong) already. How good is he supposed to be?

He's a rookie center (Sabres need a center badly). He's one of the best rookies this season. He has 16 goals and 17 assists this season...not too bad. He should be a star in the future. That's why I'm OK with this return. I'm just disappointed that the price is Kassian.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Any chance you'll be breaking out the Nucks jersey again?

I've never owned one. Don't plan on getting one either. I've never liked the Canucks at any point in my life. Besides, it wouldn't look right next to my Bruins jerseys and Stanley Cup memorabilia.

[hockey doc]

I like this deal for both clubs, Canucks get a decent Dman (you can never have enough NHL Dmen on your roster heading into the playoffs, look what happen last year to Van.) and some solid muscle that can play. Sabres get a player with a great future in Hodgson, fits the Buffalo mold nicely. Good deal all around, Vancouver looks to be headed to the finals again with a much better chance to win it all.

[I_am_Belak_2]

So let me get this straight...

Gaustad stuck up for his goalie and fought Lucic...

Kassian was brought up cuz management was sick of the team getting pushed around...

Now they're both sent packing on the same day?

Regier needs to look up the word "logic".

[Ciccarelli]

Originally Posted by gdameo

He's a rookie center (Sabres need a center badly). He's one of the best rookies this season. He has 16 goals and 17 assists this season...not too bad. He should be a star in the future. That's why I'm OK with this return. I'm just disappointed that the price is Kassian.

Ok he is skilled just like most guys on the team. I don't understand why they give up on the only player, wait on the only two players that have some size and some grit and trade for another soft guy and a draft pick they are going to use on another skill guy.

I mean if Kaleta isn't resigned the Sabres will be the softest team in the NHL (if they aren't already) The next best prospects are guys like Jacob Lagace and Daniel Catenacci that are both under 6 feet and 180 pounds.

I just don't get it, why not keep some size and toughness around.

[I like Boobs]

This won't be a popular opinion, but dumbass Reiger made some decent moves today. They end up getting a first rounder and a kid who will be a legit superstar in Hodgson for a fourth line center soon to be UFA, a kid they had on waivers already this year, and a depth defenseman.

Losing that toughness hurts the Sabres, but it gives them a couple of real nice assets. The Canucks add depth on defense, grab a nice power forward they could have had for free earlier in the year and pay a premium.

Canucks added on toughness for a long playoff run. Kassian, Weise, Bieksa, Bitz are all decent toughness wise. Nice to see the Rangers getting tougher as well!

[Oilfield316]

Anyone else watching the deadline streaming on sportsnet and reading the tweet's from the armchair retarded vancouver fans ?

Silly F^&Ks don't know who they got besides a craptop of complaining going on.

[canuckfan]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

Any chance you'll be breaking out the Nucks jersey again?

Oh, I highlly doubt that.

Man, am I absolutley floored by this deal. I count myself to be one of Cody Hodgson's biggest fans and was looking forward to seeing him play in Vancovuer for years to come - shocked and disappointed that the Canucks parted ways with him, reminds me of when Vancouver traded Trevor Linden, thats how shocked I am.

I understand you gotta give a little to get a little - but Kassian thus far is such an unproven commodity and Hodgson, with such limited minutes, was well on his way to establishing himself as a bonafide NHL talent and top 6 centerman. This guy is a terrific talent, creative, driven, unbelievably intelligent, deceptive shot and improving skating and speed - he's future captain material and a good kid - in time, Sabres fans are going to love this kid, and I'm crushed he's no longer in the Canucks orgnaization. I've followed this kid and gone through his ups and down for several years now, and this one stings.

Kassian kind of reminds me alittle of Bertuzzi, and where Bert was at when the Canucks traded Linden to the Isles for him - but Kassian is so much younger than he was and represents such a gamble by Gillis...

If this doesn't work out, Canuck fans could be regretting this one for years, just like the Neely deal.....but a lot of size and toughness has potentially been added to the Canucks top 6, so while I'm glad to see and issue addressed today, I am really, really going to miss Hodgson and wish him all the best in Buffalo...

[peacemaker]

Like Hordi stated above, CH is stuck behind Kesler and Henrik...he hasnt been effective on the wing, so his value to us isnt what it could be if there was an opening for him as a center on one of the top 2 lines.

He's a leader. Not gritty at all, but a hard worker, has a great shot and sees the ice well. Not the fastest skater. He seems to be totally over the low back problems that threatened his career.

He's kind of weak defensively right now, and in the face off circle. But, in junior those were 2 areas he excelled in.

Hes put up great numbers playing very limited minutes.

By no means a sure star, but the kid has a bright future if he's not rushed, and is given quality players to play with.

He was very, very higly regarded in Vancouver by most everyone. That is kind of rare for a high pick of the Nucks.

But you have to give up quality to get quality. He's likely the best player in this trade. But, put Kassian on a line with the Sedins, and his numbers might suggest otherwise.

Right now back in Vancouver there are a couple of swedish twins 5hitting themselves with excitement for the first time since they 5hit their pants in fear in the Finals last yr.

[shaud19]

Gotta be schittin' me. I was relieved when I heard Goose is out the door...but then Kassian gone too, wow! Now we have Kaleta and often injured McCormick to fight the Sabres battles. How do you say Buffalo? S-O-F-T.

[Dave Brown HOF]

Originally Posted by I like Boobs

This won't be a popular opinion, but dumbass Reiger made some decent moves today. They end up getting a first rounder and a kid who will be a legit superstar in Hodgson for a fourth line center soon to be UFA, a kid they had on waivers already this year, and a depth defenseman.

Losing that toughness hurts the Sabres, but it gives them a couple of real nice assets. The Canucks add depth on defense, grab a nice power forward they could have had for free earlier in the year and pay a premium.

Canucks added on toughness for a long playoff run. Kassian, Weise, Bieksa, Bitz are all decent toughness wise. Nice to see the Rangers getting tougher as well!

Dude, you have the two Kassians mixed up. It was Matt Kassian of the Wild who was on waivers this year, not Zack. Zack is one of the Sabres top prospects, if not their top prospect, and is too young to require waivers.