Canucks trade Cody Hodgson for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani at NHL trade deadline

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      The Vancouver Canucks have added power forward Zack Kassian and puck-moving defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Cody Hodgson and depth defenseman Alex Sulzer.

      Kassian is 6'3" and 228 pounds and has three goals, seven points, and 20 penalty minutes in 27 NHL games this season. He brings size and toughness that is lacking among the Canucks' forward group. The 21-year-old native of Windsor, Ontario was the 13th overall pick in the 2009 draft and is expected to join the Canucks immediately. The Canucks host Buffalo on Saturday (March 3) at Rogers Arena.

      In Gragnani, the Canucks have acquired a former American Hockey League defenseman of the year. The 24-year-old is a mobile, puck-moving blueliner who played junior hockey for Alain Vigneault.

      Hodgson was enjoying a breakout rookie NHL season with 16 goals and 32 points in 63 games. He was the NHL's rookie of the month for January. But as a centre behind Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler on the Canucks' depth chart, there was little room for him to grow and take on more of an offensive role. In Buffalo, the Markham, Ontario native will be closer to home and should get a chance to play with better offensive players.

      Comments

      4 Comments

      Willis Gillis

      Feb 27, 2012 at 2:14pm

      Crazy! Hodgeson hustled and could score, lots of potential. Should have dumped no-production Mason Raymond and lame-duck Salo for some no-scoring meathead "enforcer".

      apashipav Hurri

      Feb 27, 2012 at 4:03pm

      I am sad to see Cory go, but I guess possibly sacrificing the future for a cup run makes sense right now

      Lame duck Salo? LMAO

      Bruce

      Feb 27, 2012 at 6:15pm

      Lame duck salo?...also LMAO.
      To 'dump' someone, you have to have a taker. It takes two to make a trade. Do you understand that?!...and no he's not an 'enforcer'. Also, we don't know much about the dynamics behind the trade. Did Cody, and/or Cody's hands-on dad initiate this?

      Tommy

      Feb 27, 2012 at 8:30pm

      The more I think about it, the more I like it. The Canucks desperately need more toughness and they've got it in a skilled package. The key though is Pahlson. Putting a really strong defensive forward ensures that Kesler won't have to match up against the oppositions top guys. I'll miss Hodgson but I think we have a better playoff team.