Wellwood gets qualifying offer, Pyatt to become UFA

by Yankee Canuck on Jun 30, 2009 12:08 PM PDT in Free Agency Comment 10 comments

Kyle Wellwood

#42 / Center / Vancouver Canucks

5-10

Weight: 180

Born: May 16, 1983

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Kyle Wellwood	74	18	9	27	2	4	10	0	3	0	94	19.1

CKNW is reporting that Vancouver has qualified Kyle Wellwood, giving him until July 5th to accept the offer. Should he return, Pudge could slot in anywhere on the top three lines, depending on of course the Sedins contract status, any free agent signings and Cody Hodgson. Pudge definitely earned the right to come back; after a tumultuous start, Pudge eventually turned himself into everything from a PP specialist to a checking line specialist and, against all odds, made himself an asset in a lot of games. Here's hoping his conditioning level is lights out this summer.

Taylor Pyatt

#9 / Left Wing / Vancouver Canucks

Height: 6-4

Weight: 230

Born: Aug 19, 1981

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Taylor Pyatt	69	10	9	19	0	43	0	0	1	0	99	10.1

On the other end, Taylor Pyatt's Vancouver career is at an end, bringing moans from countless puck bunnies across the world. All kidding aside, Pyatt was one of the many Nonis gambles that worked out fairly well. He posted his best career numbers with Vancouver (two straight 37 point campaigns) and was a successful third Sedin for a season too. This past year however injuries and personal reasons (no need to focus on his loss any longer) took a toll on his game appearances and his point production took a significant hit. Steve Bernier, who plays a similar game, and the hope that Grabner or a cheaper UFA could fill third line duties made Pyatt a numbers victim more than anything else.

The unemployment line lies dormant. For now (cue evil music).

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Comments

It's time...

Being a Thunder Bay man myself, it is hard to see Pyatt go. Aside from his good work on the PK, Py looked (and acted) pretty lost at many times for the last couple of years. I say Berny steps it up this year; building on his playoff success…anyhow, I can only hope that his baby blues and hands of stone find a nice home somewhere else!

by nelboski on Jun 30, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree. There were times his hands of stone were frustrating but when he used his body and picked up some speed he’s pretty damn effective. I think he’ll have no problem signing cheaper somewhere else and producing in a third line role more. As always, I just hope it isn’t Calgary.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Jun 30, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Terrible Nicknames

Py and Berny? :S

by T.Haynes on Jun 30, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any word on Hansen, the Sniping Viking?

by DeafNotDumb on Jun 30, 2009 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can’t find anything but I heard radio reports that he was on the block (which doesn’t make any sense to me for someone in Hansen’s position). With Raymond and Grabner he may be the odd man out which is a shame cause I love him on the PK. I’ll post more when I find out.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Jun 30, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going with “Great Dane”, but perhaps that’s too obvious.

by Thursday on Jun 30, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, the Canucks will have a 33% unemployment rate when its all said and done. As I noted way back when, those players needed to step up their games and play as though they meant it, if they wanted to stay employed…Pyatt started to towards the end of the season, before tragedy struck.

I like Hansen too…but, given the circumstances of where the Canucks are with players, I agree he might be the odd man out. Somebody is going to get a great pick up this off season, if that is the case.

by GZ Expat on Jun 30, 2009 3:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thought: does Montreal going out and getting Gomez mean they’ve given up on Hank and Danny, and does that mean they know that Sedins are staying Canucks?

by Beantown Canuck on Jun 30, 2009 3:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs