Former Oiler Tough Guy is Bought Out, Now a Free Agent
The Arizona Coyotes have announced that they have bought out former Edmonton Oiler forward Zack Kassian.
The rugged 6'-3", 211 pound tough guy came to Arizona in July of 2022 along with a first-round pick, a third-rounder in 2024, and a second-round choice in 2025 for the Coyotes first-rounder in 2022.
He didn't play much only collecting a little over nine minutes a game. He got just two goals, no assists in 51 games. His physical presence didn't show much except going to the penalty box for 50 minutes.
He was only able to add 32 hits and was a lousy -18 while on the ice.
Let's just say this was a financial move to open up a forward roster spot. Kassian would have counted $3.2 million against the cap. With the buyout, Kassian will now count for $1.67 million against the cap in 2023 and leave a cap charge of $766,667 for the 2024-25 season.
Arizona GM Bill Armstrong is doing this to make some additional moves to his roster. He also bought out defenceman Patrik Nemeth.
Kassian is now a free agent, and will possibly be added by a team needing some toughness. He had spent seven seasons with the Oilers and four with the Vancouver Canucks before he headed to Arizona.
So, if any NHL team is interested in his services, he is now on the open market.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 20 | 355 ANSWERS Former Oiler Tough Guy is Bought Out, Now a Free Agent Will another NHL team pick up tough guy Zack Kassian? | ||
| No, not really | 85 | 23.9 % |
| Maybe a team needing a big guy | 143 | 40.3 % |
| Not sure | 42 | 11.8 % |
| He's pretty useless, really | 85 | 23.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
