Canucks' "Unemployment Line" living up to its name
by Sean Zandberg on Feb 24, 2009 11:13 PM PST
in Rants
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That is why our friend GZ Expat dubbed the line of Pyatt, Bernier and Wellwood just that recently. Don't get me wrong, I'm not thinking the sky is falling after a Canucks loss. I'm thinking long term here. I'm thinking playoff success. The Canucks are going to need a little extra scoring punch beyond the Sedin and RPM line on occasion to have prolonged success in the playoffs (or to make the playoffs for starters).
Here are the stats (and my gripes) on Line 3 right now:
Kyle Wellwood.
OK, I stood up for the guy when he was first acquired by Mike Gillis, but my patience with him is wearing thin. We can't accept that his 14 goals and 21 points is acceptable anymore. Not when 11 of those goals came in his first 21 games. Those good old times ended on December 4. Yeah, way back then.
In his last 25 games, Woody has 2 goals and 2 assists. He has only 30 shots in that span. Wellwood has been given plenty of opportunities a) on the top power play line with the Sedins or b) on a top 6 scoring line.
View Wellwood's game-by-game stats here.
Taylor Pyatt
Pyatt has 7 goals and 14 points in 51 games this season, so you know he has had several droughts this season. Sure, we love his physical game and the ladies love his rugged good looks, but when do we draw the line with this guy? He is pointless in his last 5 games. He has 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 12 games. He has only 30 shots on goal in his last 25 games. He has also been given plenty of time with the Sedins or in the top 6.
I can't watch this guy flub a shot in a scoring position for much longer.
View Pyatt's game-by-game stats here.
Steve Bernier
Bernier has fared a tad better than his two linemates. He has 12 goals and 27 points in 58 games. I think we've been waiting for Bernier to break out all season long, but right when we think he's going to do just that to show his potential...he disappears for several games at a time.
In his last 18 games, Bernier has scored only 3 goals and 5 points. He has 1 goal and 2 assists in his last 13 games played. Bernier shoots the puck more than Pyatt and Woody (46 shots in his last 25 games) but doesn't get many results.
View Bernier's game-to-game stats here.
I know Mike Gillis doesn't want to disrupt the locker room or mess with a winning combination come trade deadline, but something has to be done about this trio of futility, especially if we can assume that the top 2 lines stay intact.
The Canucks need something more from these guys. I think the majority of people might blame Wellwood for the line's slump. But I'm not so sure you can pin it on one guy. But hell, this may as well be the 4th line!
Something's got to give. How about we send all 3 to Manitoba (I know, that's not technically possible-I'm dreaming). Yeah, and lets call up Jason Krog, Jason Jaffray and Michel Ouellet. We'll slot them right into line 3.
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I dont think its up for doubt on what a huge disappointment they have been.
Wellwood has been lacklustre to say the least. Too many turnovers, weak shots and just looks unhappy. After last nights diasterous game, he must be on a real low. Rightly so. Time to get rid, its not working.
Pyatt: Not much more can be added that you have not already said.
Berneir: Some flashes of brilliance then dissappears. Having said that quite a few of the team have done that this season, so its not an exclusive club.
Gillis needs to something. I dont think it would upset the dressing room if 1 or 2 went. In fact it might shake it up a bit. We need more fire power. We are not getting it off this line, all we are getting is basic mistakes. AV must be working hard with Gillis for a soloution, I have faith it will change soon…..
I doubt a fix is coming through trades. Wellwood and Bernier were both ‘projects’ and their trade value isn’t that good. Pyatt… not exactly great value there either. You’re not going to get quality in return for any of those three. So, you’re trading a package of picks/prospects and one of those three for an upgrade of some sort? And towards what goal? Winning the cup this year? A couple of playoff series this year, targeting the cup next year or two years down the line when the cap will kill teams?
So we look at these questions:
Is Vancouver more likely to win the cup with one ore more above average 3rd liner added? No. The odds of Foodie, Hands of Stone or B-man hitting a hot streak for the playoffs is probably about the same as the odds of one 3rd line addition helping.
I do think Sean’s suggestion of just swapping in the top AHLers and demoting/benching the (then) unemployed line might be a temporary solution. I don’t think it’ll work for the playoffs, but it might get someone fired up, or we might get lucky and one of the AHLers might take up a spot for good.
Is Vancouver more likely to win a playoff series with a trade for one or more 3rd liners?
Not really. The risk of an addition messing up the locker room vibe is probably just as high as the chance he’ll add a Brabarian-like run to any given playoff series.
Yes, Vancouver may have to try to win this year because of the UFAs, Sundin etc. Therefore whether or not Gillis chooses to trade or not depends more on his confidence in resigning people rather than then the actual, real likelihood of winning the cup (not so hot).
I don’t see how another year of development for Kessler and Burrows, the possible addition of Grabner to the lineup, an off-season fixing of the 3rd/4th lines, figuring out where the cap is heading for the next couple of years etc. can be a bad thing for Vancouver. In fact it may actually give Van a really good shot a year or two down the line if the team is carefully managed. Also consider that although there are some decent prospects in the Manitoba, I don’t think the system quite as stocked as Gillis would like (Manitoba is doing very well because it has a very good goalie tandem and a fair number of vets/borderline NHLers who are not ’prospects’).
Now if Gillis can see a shot to acquire a quality player at the right price (whatever that happens to be for him in the balancing game) he might trade, but I don’t think we’re going to see the kind of trades that Noonis made at the deadline, shipping out picks for ‘small tweak’ 3/4th liners and depth defense. Doesn’t make any sense unless for some strange reason the player would be undervalued by the team he’s with – may happen, but I don’t see it as being likely.
How AV doesn’t sit Wellwood going forward is beyond me. At least Bernier has a physical presence. If Pudge can’t score he’s effectively useless as last night showed.
If anything the loss last night may have helped jar Gillis a bit into seeing he needs another forward, an interchangeable one that can step in when Raymond, Pudge, Bernier or Pyatt make their way inevitably to the press box for the evening.
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how AV
didn’t sit Wellwood after that PP turnover last night is beyond me. I thought he would be stapled to the bench. That’s one of the worst games I’ve seen him play, and I saw him back in TO. He’s gotta be on his last chance with the coach.
by Karina on Feb 25, 2009 10:31 AM PST up reply actions
Karina: I believe Bernier has a no trade clause..not sure. Anyone know where I can find that out?
I thought Wellwood responded well after AV DIDN"T bench him. But still he achieved nothing in his improved effort. I think he is on his last chance as well.
Yankee: Yeah, I do think Lalji may be onto something with with Gillis acquiring a 3rd line guy. That guy should be Mark Recchi. haha. Does Recchi ever play center?
Steve: When does Wellwood ever look happy? He always looks…indifferent? I believe some change is coming as well.
RSM: I loved the play of Jason Jaffray while he was up this year. He was far more aggressive and I swear to god that he’d be better than any of the current line 3 guys.
Haha…well done.
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by Yankee Canuck on Feb 25, 2009 4:34 PM PST up reply actions
Bernier cannot be traded because he was under contract when traded…he has to finish out the season here.
Chubby will come around…it just needs some time and the coach to back off a bit in the press.
Pyatt should be thinking about packing his bags. Between he and Bernier…both have hands of stone, but at least Bernier throws his body around from time to time to help create some chaos.
Hmmm, again i’m gonna differ. Wellwood isnt producin, but he gets into good spots, and could pot 2goals a night regularily. They need his offense, and i’m afraid that they gotta stick it out with him.
Pyatt- annoying Canuck. I like him and see all the potential, he works hard and isnt a liability, so thats why AV plays him.
Bernier- if he doesnt get it goin, he’ll be gone in the summer.
All 3 are the types who could rise in the playoffs, get hot and have huge contributions to the team.
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