The Florida Panthers have announced placing center Jozef
Stumpel on waivers in what could be a prelude to buying out the remainder of
his contract.
Stumpel has one year at $2.25 million remaining on his
current contract. He’d been a consistent 50-point player throughout this decade
but last season struggled with injury posting his lowest offensive totals in a
decade.
It’s possible he could play overseas next season but he
might test this summer’s NHL UFA market where he could be an affordable depth.
The Vancouver Canucks have claimed center Kyle Wellwood off
waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Not a bad move by the Canucks as this is an affordable way
to bring some depth at center. Wellwood has the potential to be a second line
scorer but the injury prone center must improve his conditioning to reach that
potential.
The Ottawa Senators have parted ways with tough guy Brian
McGratton, shipping him to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a fifth round
pick in 2009.
McGratton’s presence should make teams in the Western
Conference think twice about taking liberties against the Coyotes best players.
He’s a restricted free agent but the Coyotes shouldn’t have too much trouble
getting one of the league’s best brawlers under contract.
Former NY Islanders goaltender Wade Dubieliewicz has
reportedly signed a two-year contract with AK-Bars Kazan of the newly formed
Kontinental Hockey League.
Dubielewicz rejected a contract offer from the Islanders and
was eligible for UFA status in July.
yet AGAIN the Canucks miss out on a player that could have helped their team ... last year they got pushed around in their own arena so this year they go out and pickup another tiny player in Wellwood while Phoenix picks up another player of size and grit in McGratton ... not sure if Gillis is being excluded from the gm's club or just not being proactive and making inquiries before the trades happen
While he's a heavyweight pugilist, he adds nothing in terms of size and grit as he doesn't have the footspeed to play a heavy hitting game or take advantage of his size and meanness in any situation but a fight.
With Magrattan in the lineup, you're essentially shortening your bench in exchange for the 'intimidation factor' he provides.
da lil guy is right, McGrattan was a fan favourite here, but only for his fists... he's one of the old breed of fighters, limited skill, all toughness... to play in the nhl today, even as an enforcer you need some skill so you're not just occupying a roster spot... McGrattan has the hockey sense and ability of an ECHLer, but his size and fists propelled him to the bigs... to be honest, he's not even a particularly good hitter or grinder, just fighter...
NOTE: I don't mean to be mean spirited at all, I love Grats, but this is just my honest 2 cents on a guy I've seen a lot of in the past 3 years
Last edited by Alexei_Cashin on June 26th at 8:14 AM.
What Vancouver picked up of waivers is not much to get excited about. Wellwood is a very soft player. He is so small and in such poor condition that all he has to offer is some offensive senses and strong hand skills. Unfortunately, without the conditioning; what he has to offer will be of very little use to the Canucks or anyone.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
