NHL reinstates Zack Kassian after stint in substance abuse program
Zack Kassian has been reinstated after undergoing treatment under the NHL and NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.
By
Chris Peters
•
2 min read
Montreal Canadiens forward Zack Kassian has been returned to “available status” by the NHL and NHLPA after undergoing treatment in the substance abuse and behavioral health program jointly run by both entities. Kassian will continue to receive follow-up care through the NHL/NHLPA program.
Kassian, who was acquired by Montreal last summer, was injured in a single-vehicle accident in the early morning hours of Oct. 4. Kassian was apparently a passenger in the truck registered to him, but the team was unhappy he put himself in that position. Kassian was then placed in “stage two” of the NHL/NHLPA program, which prevented him from partaking in all team activities while getting treatment.
The Habs took a risk when they traded for Kassian, sending tough guy Brandon Prust to the Vancouver Canucks. GM Marc Bergevin was openly critical of Kassian after the accident, saying that his being out into the wee hours of the morning just days before the NHL season was to begin showed a “lack of character.”
Perhaps the accident was the wakeup call the former Buffalo Sabres and Canucks forward needed. There have been several players in the past who have entered the NHL and NHLPA’s substance abuse program and come out on the other side for the better. Some of them, like Rich Clune who is currently in the Toronto Maple Leafs system and Brian McGrattan in the Anaheim Ducks system, were able to continue their careers.
At just 24, Kassian should have a lot of good hockey left in him. He is a former 13th overall pick and scored 14 goals in 2013-14. There’s a good player in there, but perhaps his off-the-ice issues had prevented him from realizing his full potential.
The bruising forward will likely have to win back some trust, which is harder to do seeing as he’s never played a minute with the Canadiens in the regular season. The Habs have not yet revealed their plans for Kassian, but perhaps a conditioning assignment in the AHL is in order, if they want to be the team that gives him another chance.
UPDATE: Kassian has been waived by the Canadiens, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. If he clears, he can be sent to the American Hockey League.
When talking about a player being in a program like this, it’s not just about his career or what he can do on the ice. This is real life. Now that Kassian is reinstated, hopefully he can take this opportunity and run with it both personally and then professionally.
