On Thursday, the Edmonton Oilers announced the contract extension of 25-year old winger Zach Kassian. The one-year pact is worth $1.5 million and runs through the 2016-2017 National Hockey League season. Kassian appeared in 36 games for the Oilers this past season, scoring three goals while adding five assists for a total of eight points. He also racked up 114 penalty minutes.
The Oilers acquired Kassian from the Montreal Canadiens on December 28th, sending the Habs goaltender Ben Scrivens in return. This past year has been a tough one for the Windsor native. Before being dealt to the Oilers, Kassian was involved in a single vehicle accident in which he broke his left foot and his nose. He was admitted into the National Hockey League’s substance abuse program and suspended without pay. When he was released from the program, Montreal, disappointed with his actions and judgement, waived him and told him not to report to the St. John’s Ice Caps- Montreal’s American Hockey League affiliate team. From there, he would remain out of action until his trade to Edmonton.
“To get back on my feet from what happened and to get back to the NHL as quickly as possible, I was happy, but throughout the year, I wanted to give more. I wanted to come back and dominate. That’s the kind of person I am but that’s harder said than done. To step back in after missing 40 games, sitting in treatment centers for 2 1/2 months … there are a lot of obstacles there. I tried to stay patient. There were a lot of life changes that I was making through this process and on the run. I knew things weren’t going to just take off career-wise. There’s time that has to evolve (off the ice) and that’s what I’m looking for this summer. Two months of working out to hit the ground running at training camp.”
-Zack Kassian
This upcoming season will be a major test for Kassian if he wishes to remain with the club. He has a great amount of weight on his shoulders in trying to prove himself. A productive off-season as well as an impressive training camp will be a good start for the former 2009 13th overall draft pick.
Quote courtesy of Edmonton Journal
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