FEATURE: Kassian Country

EDMONTON, AB - Few have embodied Oil Country like Zack Kassian.
It could've been, almost three years to the day on May 7, 2017, that for only a few seconds during Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals - a few earthshaking, electrifying seconds - that connection became spiritual.
The passion and will of the entire Oilers empire surged through him at Rogers Place when he tucked his breakaway five-hole and locked eyes with the seventh man, unleashing a roar of jubilation that was shared in symphony through Plexiglass and television screens alike.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

WRITTEN
GENE'S BLOG: Cup Run Memories
FEATURE: Archie's World
FEATURE: Kolossal Rising
OTHER
Colby Cave Memorial Fund
VIDEO
2006 | Roloson, Stoll, Moreau
REWIND 19-20 | Archibald & Sheahan
Kassian has worked tirelessly to recreate that feeling, only to have his best opportunity to do so this season be put on hold by the postponement of the NHL schedule nearly two months ago.
The potential of reward, however, wouldn't be a product of one man's passion as each player in the Oilers dressing room committed to the common goal of competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Everyone in that room feels like we have something to prove," Kassian said on Day 1 of Oilers Training Camp. "So, there's no doubt in my mind in there that that's our goal: to make playoffs."
For the Oilers like Kassian who were lucky enough to experience it, enduring two painstaking seasons without playoff hockey in between, that taste has become a full-fledged hunger for a return to the promised land.
"The guys that have been here for a little bit, we all got a taste of what it was like in the playoffs," Kassian said. "I think the time is now for us to get on that other side of the road and be a team that competes every year for the Stanley Cup and gets into the playoffs."

Possessing a fighting spirit (in both the literal and figurative sense), a diverse & well-rounded skillset, and a relentless pursuit of the playoffs only cracks the surface when describing the forward who's seemingly always serving as a conduit for the next electrifying Oilers moment.
From helping fuel Oil Country for another potential playoff run, to reigniting the Battle of Alberta, the '19-20 season has been no exception to the standard Kassian has set for himself in an Oilers uniform.
The Windsor, Ontario native posted a new career-high for goals with 15 during the '18-19 NHL season on the flank of Captain Connor McDavid and German goal-juggernaut
Leon Draisaitl
, having 24 of his 25 points come at even strength (one shorthanded) as a product of his hard-fought on-ice battles and chemistry with the Dynamic Duo.
On his arrival, Head Coach Dave Tippett continued to utilize Kassian's 6-foot-3, 211-pound frame and blend of skill, speed and physicality in a partnership with McDavid. The winger weaved together another career-high, this time with 34 points in 59 games that all came at 5-on-5, as the Oilers came to a forced stop with a record of 37-25-9 - four points up on their provincial rivals the Calgary Flames with one hand on a playoff berth.
"He's just one of those guys in your room you need," Tippett said. "Guys like that, if you want to go into playoff series and have chances to win, he brings a lot of good play, good skill, but he brings good passion and emotion to the team also."

Kassian had his hand in writing the Oilers last playoff chapter, but he wrote the book on reigniting the Battle of Alberta.
An animated response to repeated runs from Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk in the debut of Alberta's fiercest rivalry on Jan. 11 this season earned Kassian a two-game suspension that carried through the NHL All-Star Break, setting him on course to return 18 days later on Jan. 29 for the first of two provincial clashes in four days.
The forced break allotted Kassian plenty of time to recalibrate for the home stretch of the regular season, avoiding putting any attention on the media storm and instead focusing his efforts on what he and his Oilers teammates set out to accomplish at Training Camp.
"Obviously the two teams don't like each other too much and it's the Battle of Alberta, but we're revving it up to get two points," Kassian said before his return from suspension.
"We're treating it like a playoff game. We're treating the next 33 games like playoff games. We need to get to the playoffs. That's our mindset."
Before Kassian could settle the score in his return, there were details to settle on a four-year contract extension that further exemplified the now-29-year-old's importance to his Oilers teammates, management, and Oil Country as a whole.
"He's just kind of the heart and soul of our team," Draisaitl said. "He brings the energy every night and it's great to have him here for the next four years. I think everyone is extremely excited for him to sign that contract."
"He's huge for our team. He plays a lot of minutes, plays on our top line, and really does it all. He steps up when he has to."

Contributing to an Oilers push for the playoffs comes in many forms for Kassian. He'll light a fire under his teammates with a physical spark when needed, but he'll also get equal value out of dousing the Flames with a goal like he did with a vengeful tally in an 8-3 drubbing of Calgary on Feb. 1 that marked his return to the Scotiabank Saddledome.
But the Oilers and their fans have already appraised the value of Kassian, hoping to see their most significant returns when it matters in the postseason.
"I love being an Oiler, I love the city, I love the fans, and I love my teammates," he said.
"I feel when Kenny came in with Tipp, they were building something special here. I'm happy to be a small piece to that puzzle."