Canuckswatch: Kyle Wellwood's Ups & Downs

This week, desperate for some offensive creativity, the Vancouver Canucks recalled forward Kyle Wellwood from the Manitoba Moose, their AHL affiliate in Winnipeg, and inserted him into the lineup in on Tuesday.

Wellwood made the best of this opportunity, figuring in on both goals with a goal and an assist in Vancouver's 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The shifty 25-year-old native of Oldcastle, Ontario was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 25, and signed to a one-year contract. Prior to being sent down, Wellwood played one previous game for the Canucks , registering no points in minimal icetime.

Kyle Wellwod

The Leafs elected to place Wellwood on waivers because he would have been eligible for restricted free agency on July 1. Although his talent is unquestionable, they felt that he was prone to injury, having missed 57 games the past two seasons with a sports hernia. His injuries have made it hard for him to establish an off-season routine and come to camp in shape.

After a sub -par, injury-filled 2007-2008 season, where he had just eight goals and 21 points in 59 games, the Leafs felt they should cut ties with their former third round pick. The Canucks, however, felt that Wellwood would add some much-needed offence to their puzzle, but once again, primarily due to recovering from a sports hernia, he came to camp out of shape. He was ridiculed by coach Alain Vignault, despite a reasonable performance in the pre-season.

With the Canucks early season success (the opening day 6-0 spanking of the Calgary Flames), they seemed to think that their anticipated offensive struggles were no longer existent. Wellwood was stationed in the pressbox, and then when he was given a chance, he was played sparingly and not really given a fair shot. Coach, Alain Vignault, known for his ability to put players in situations where they can succeed, had the offensive Wellwood out in checking roles.

It seemed as though his time in Vancouver was up, as he would have to clear waivers to be sent down. But none of the other 29 teams in the NHL felt Wellwood would add to their team, so he cleared waivers and was sent down to the AHL.

Now he’s back, who knows for how long. If he’s given a chance, I think that he can put up some decent numbers and add some secondary scoring to the lineup, something that is has been glaringly absent from the Canucks for the last little while.

                                                                - By Aleem Peermohamed