The Zack Kassian era in Montreal could be over before it even started.
The NHLPA sent out a release Monday stating that Kassian had been suspended without pay by the Canadiens and placed in stage two of its substance abuse and behavioural health program, run in conjunction with the NHL.
None of his $2 million 2015-16 salary will count against the salary cap until he returns to the Canadiens after being cleared by program administrators.
Before this most recent development, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin stood before the media Monday afternoon to offer his response to the news Sunday that Kassian had been involved in a single-car accident early that morning.
“Put it this way… it happened early in the morning,” said Bergevin. “I don’t know all the details, as we speak they’re still coming in, so that’s why before you start putting things up front you have to make sure you have all the information. I do not have all the information. It’s disappointing to say the least.”
Kassian, reportedly a passenger in his own truck, had emerged bloodied and woozy from the vehicle which had crashed into a tree in suburban Montreal.
One thing Bergevin did bring to light was the fact that Kassian had suffered a broken nose and a broken left foot—injuries he couldn’t offer a recovery timeline for.
According to police, a 20-year-old woman was driving and another woman, aged 18, was with them.
“I’m a firm believer in character, and that’s really a lack of character and judgment on his part,” said Bergevin who continued to reiterate he wouldn’t make any decisions regarding Kassian’s future with the team until more information came to light.
It would appear the situation evolved rather quickly, and maybe that’s for the best as far as Bergevin and the Canadiens are concerned. Questions lingered—albeit for a matter of hours—with the situation unresolved Monday afternoon.
On one of two days off the Canadiens have had since the start of training camp on Sept. 17, Kassian found himself entrenched in a fiasco. He had dressed in the team’s final pre-season game Saturday in Ottawa before finding trouble early Sunday morning.
Kassian arrived in Montreal with a reputation—deserved or not—of being less than professional at times. There was a bar-fight in Buffalo in May of 2010, which resulted in criminal charges being dropped after he agreed to a deal that saw him perform several hours of community service and pick up the dental bill of a man he had punched.
There was also his demotion to the AHL in 2013 for reported “behavioural issues” in Vancouver. On July 1 of this past summer, the Canucks decided to move on, and traded Kassian to Montreal in exchange for Brandon Prust.
After acquiring him, Bergevin told Kassian he needed him to “be a professional and conduct himself professionally.”
Bergevin was hopeful that the 24-year-old, who is playing for a new contract, could tap into his potential and put his off-ice reputation behind him with the realization that this opportunity could be his last in the NHL.
It’s clear Kassian has broken any trust with Bergevin and the Canadiens.
“There are only so many chances you can give someone,” said Bergevin in French Monday.
Now Kassian must give himself a chance, a chance to rejuvenate a once-promising career, but not before taking a real stab at fixing whatever’s taken him so far off the beaten path.
As troubling as Kassian’s situation may be, his admission into the program as an active player might encourage others to seek the help they need. Should Kassian be rehabilitated there might still be some good to come out of a bad situation.
Bergevin has often referred to treating his team as though they are family. His displeasure Monday afternoon has now likely turned to concern.