VANCOUVER — The NHL slapped Vancouver Canucks forward Zack Kassian with an eight-game suspension in late September — five of those to be served during the regular season — for a pre-season high stick that shattered the jaw of Edmonton Oilers centre Sam Gagner.

Kassian was still sitting out when the Canucks and Edmonton met Oct. 5, so Friday's date at Rogers Arena (6 p.m., CBC, Team 1040) will be the Oilers' first opportunity to send Kassian a message, if they feel one is necessary.

Perhaps they will be more concerned about winning the game than exacting some form of revenge. Kassian wouldn't hazard a guess.

“Uh, I don't know,” he responded Wednesday after the Canucks held a very optional skate at The Rog. “Who knows? Maybe they will. Maybe they won't. It's the game within the game. Our main focus is to get two points and stay hot at home.

“Obviously I'm not too worried about someone coming after me. I have no problem standing up for myself. If they want to get some type of revenge, the door is open. Go ahead.”

Kassian conceded he was careless with his stick, swinging it wildly behind him and striking Gagner in the face as he slammed awkwardly into the boards. He has maintained all along the incident was accidental. He received only a double minor for high sticking. His penalty occurred late in the second period and he was not forced to fight anyone in the third.

Two days later, the Oilers picked up 6-5, 250-pound enforcer Steve MacIntyre on waivers. MacIntyre promptly injured a knee, did not play a game for the Oilers and is now with their farm team in the American Hockey League.

“I'm happy MacIntyre is not in the lineup, that's for sure,” quipped Kassian.

Plan B for the Oilers was Luke Gazdic, another waiver pickup. Gazdic is listed at 6-3 and 240 pounds. He has two points, eight fights and 64 penalty minutes in 25 games. Gazdic and Canucks heavyweight Tom Sestito did drop the mitts in the Oct. 5 contest, won 6-2 by the Canucks.

“Things are going to be said and whatnot but if you look at the replay, Gagner stops up and I lose my balance,” Kassian said, going over the incident again. “Yeah, I have to do a better job of controlling my stick, definitely, but I didn't mean to hit him in the face by any means. If you're looking at it from the other team's point of view, I could understand why they're a little angry and might want to get some sort of payback.”

Asked if he felt his suspension was due to the injury, as opposed to the action, Kassian nodded in the affirmative. Gagner required surgery and missed the Oilers' first 13 games of the regular season. Kassian lost $22,500 in pay.

“Yeah, definitely, 100 per cent,” Kassian replied. “Like I've said before, I could hit the boards there and do that 100 times and it will hit him in the face once. I've learned from that. You have to keep control of your stick. That's on me. But it was definitely by accident.”