Kassian Excited for ‘New Chapter,’ Embracing Role as Leader on Team

Zack Kassian knew a trade from Edmonton was likely to happen given the Oilers’ salary cap situation, but had no idea where the destination would be.

When he found out he was heading to Arizona, he and his family couldn’t have been happier.

The Coyotes acquired Kassian, the No. 29 pick (used to select defenseman Maveric Lamoureux), a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 second-rounder in exchange for the No. 32 pick during the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He was aware a deal was possible following discussions with Edmonton general manager Ken Holland, and though the relocation is emotional considering the roots he and his family have planted in Edmonton, knowing he was destined for the desert made it something they could look forward to.

The 31-year-old winger posted 19 points in 58 games with Edmonton last season, and fits in well with the tough-nosed, gritty style of play that Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong and head coach André Tourigny have implemented over the last season.

“I didn’t know when, I didn’t know where, but when I found out it was Arizona, I was really happy,” Kassian said. “Honestly, not only was I happy, but my wife was happy, my family members were happy, and our friends were happy, too.”

Moves like this from Armstrong have been successful in the past.

Last season Nick Ritchie flourished after a midseason deal brought him to the Coyotes from the Toronto Maple Leafs, as he recorded 10 goals and four assists in 24 games with Arizona. Quite an improvement, considering he had just nine points in 33 games prior to his arrival.

The Coyotes’ GM thinks this deal could have a similar result.

“He gives us something that we like in the desert, which is a little bit of sandpaper, a little bit of grit,” Armstrong said. “He’s going to have a good impact in his role, and I think the Yotes fans are going to like to see that little grit and cactus in the desert.”

That role is something Kassian is ready to play. He has, after all, spent the last seven seasons playing alongside two of the best hockey players in the league – Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl – and is fresh off an appearance in the Western Conference Final.

He knows what it takes for a team to be successful, and it starts with the whole team buying in. The ‘grittiness’ impact of his style of play will fit in nicely alongside the aforementioned Ritchie, as well as forward Liam O’Brien, who always answers the bell when the opportunity arises.

“I think it’s important, not for one individual to bring sandpaper, but it’s collectively as a group,” Kassian said. “If you have three, four, or five guys that can bring it on a nightly basis it just kind of gets everyone else really comfortable in the lineup, especially your skill guys, and I think it ultimately helps you win hockey games.”

Kassian doesn’t have any close ties to Arizona, other than having skated with Coyotes left winger Lawson Crouse while training during the pandemic. As it stands, there’s a chance he could fit well on a line with the 25-year-old Crouse, who recorded career highs in both goals (20) and points (34) in 65 games last season.

Regardless of who his new linemates will be, he’s picked up some teachable tricks throughout his NHL career. In fact, the success he’s experienced has almost always started the same way, and he plans on leading by example upon his arrival.

“I saw the things [McDavid and Draisaitl] do, and being around them I’ve learned a lot,” Kassian said. “First and foremost, you’ve got to bring your work boots every day. It’s an every-day league.

“It’s hard work, but ultimately if you can get the team to work hard, and stick together, and play together, more times than not you’re going to have success.”

Kassian emphasized the importance of the Coyotes coming together early, a huge challenge considering they play only four of their first 24 games at home. Furthermore, the club’s new home – Arizona State’s sparkling new multi-purpose arena – will have a much more intimate feel to it.

Not an easy situation, but Kassian is looking forward to facing it head on.

“I think it will be a lot of fun to play in a rink like that,” Kassian said. “It’s unique, and obviously not a perfect situation, but I think we can make it our own, we can make it a hard building to play in, and I think we can draw some more fans in to come watch us.”

Kassian, who was drafted 13th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2009 NHL Draft, has the pedigree to help lead the young Coyotes core throughout the season. He has 610 regular season and 45 playoff games to his name, and his best season came 2019-20 after he recorded 34 points in 59 games during the COVID-shortened season.

At this stage in his career, he said he’s focused on “polishing” his game around the net so that he capitalizes on his opportunities, but at the same time he’s proud of the role he can play in Arizona.

“I want to continue to be a good skater and I want to be physical, because those are two aspects of my game that I can bring on a nightly basis,” Kassian said. “The things I can bring on a night-to-night basis is being physical, using my speed, grinding teams down low, making it hard on teams — especially the defense — and those are the things I’m going to continue to bring to help my team.”

Armstrong believes he can make an immediate difference.

“I think that he can have some impact for us up there, same as Ritchie and Crouse,” he said. “We’ve got some guys that can jump up into that top six role, help the team, and do some good work up there.”

For now, Kassian’s still enjoying the offseason with his family, but camp is right around the corner, and he said he’s truly looking forward to his arrival in Arizona – and not just because he’s heard great things about exploring The Valley, Flagstaff, Sedona, and the like.

He’s also looking forward to his new start in the desert, where he’s being welcomed with open arms.

“It’s a privilege to play in the NHL,” Kassian said. “I’m excited for the new chapter, to change things up, and get to work there.”