It was reported by Sportsnet’s Eric Engels Saturday that Zack Kassian had been asked by the Montreal Canadiens not to report to the team’s AHL affiliate after being assigned.

The forward was suspended without pay after being involved in an October car accident. He was not the driver at the time. Kassian had been reinstated by the club after 74 days spent in Phase 2 of the NHL’s substance abuse program.

On the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast later on Saturday, Elliotte Friedman reported that a trade is a possibility and that a few teams may be interested.

Friedman said teams are doing their background checks on Kassian and that one team to keep an eye on is the San Jose Sharks. Sharks assistant coach Bob Boughner oversaw Kassian in Windsor of the OHL during the 2009-10 season.