Canucks' Kassian not expected to require surgery; confident in recovery

Fear not, Zack Kassian will thrill again. 

The big-bodied Vancouver Canucks forward confirmed Monday that he won't require surgery on his injured back, and relayed optimism with regard to his availability for the start of next season. 

"There's no doubt in my mind I'll heal up and be back out there," he said. 

Kassian was last seen absolutely enraged, earning a game misconduct for having his jersey ripped off in a fracas with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf. He would later suffer a setback at practice and miss the final 14 games of the regular season and entire first-round series with the Calgary Flames. 

He will be a restricted free agent at the end of next season.