2009 NHL Entry Draft - Up Close: Zach Kassian

I've decided that instead of doing monster blog posts about upcoming draft eligibles, considering I don't have any insider information, I'm going to post short summaries about each player that I have on my own personal shortlist. The first in this line of players is Zach Kassian.
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Zach Kassian

Right Wing
Born Jan 24 1991 -- LaSalle, ONT
Height 6.03 -- Weight 205 -- Shoots R

61 Games Played
24-39-63
136 PIM

Kassian has a bruising style of play and this season his offensive upside finally started to show through. He's not afraid to drop the gloves and this hybrid style of play has him compared favorably to Milan Lucic. He was recently added to U-18 Team Canada Roster in the World Under-18 Hockey Championships April 9-19 in Fargo, North Dakota.

He certainly fits the bill for the kind of team Tambellini wants to build, even if he might not be ready to play for a couple of seasons. Who knows, he might make the kind of transition Sam Gagner made to the NHL but that kind of smooth crossover is usually rare.