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When Kassian talks about being lucky his destination was Edmonton, he very much includes the man who is head coach.

“Todd McLellan and I talked about where he saw me and where he thought I’d fit in,” he said.

“I think that helped me out a lot. I think it was a matter of me knowing what he expected out of me, where he saw me and then it was up to me. I think he wanted to take the pressure of my being a high pick totally away from me,” said the 25-year-old player selected 13th in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

“Sometimes people expect you to hop out of junior and score 30. He stressed that with every player, that doesn’t have to happen and that players can play a long time in this league in a checking role.

“Some guys have those conversations with a coach and want to get traded. Not me. I really embraced it.

“I knew Todd was a great coach before I got here. I believed in him and trusted him. Now, I think, I’m really starting to find my way here in Edmonton.”

Kassian, statistically, only has two goals and seven assists and from a distance probably doesn’t look to be too successful. But Edmonton fans know their hockey and can see what he’s contributing.

“It’s tough when they’re not going in but at the same time I’ve always been a guy who got the bigger picture,” said Kassian.

“When the team is winning the chances are going to be there. It’s the old cliché that when the chances aren’t there you have to worry. But for me, if we’re winning and I’m playing solid two-way hockey, playing it hard and creating energy for my teammates, that comes first and all of the other stuff takes care of itself.”