Canadiens ask Kassian to not report to AHL 'until further notice'

Zack Kassian won't be playing in the American Hockey League. Not yet, anyway.

The Montreal Canadiens have asked Kassian not to report to the St. John's IceCaps "until further notice," according to TSN's John Lu.

The NHL's roster freeze runs through midnight on the 27th.

Kassian entered the follow-up phase of the NHL's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program last week, and was assigned to St. John's after he passed through waivers on Dec. 16.

The IceCaps have been off since the 16th, which is why Kassian's yet to report. The club returns to action Saturday.

Kassian broke his foot after he was involved in a car accident as a passenger in September. He entered the league's substance abuse program shortly thereafter.

The right winger will turn 25 on Jan. 24. He's yet to play a game with the Canadiens, and had 10 goals and six assists with the Vancouver Canucks last season.