Buffalo Sabres Players Year In Review: Mark Pysyk

When I say the name Mark Pysyk, it is shocking that many Sabres fans do not know who he is. I guess it is a little easy to forget the Buffalo Sabres former 23rd overall pick in 2010 considering he has only played a total of 70 games (and only 7 last season). Well, if he has flown under the radar, then this is his emergence to the fans of Buffalo.

Related – Year In Review: Zadorov

Mark Pysyk played only a total of 7 games for the Sabres last season as he was brought up to cover injured players on the roster. He spent most of his time in Rochester this season playing for the Americans and he was the top defenseman on the roster. In his time with the Americans, Pysyk posted 3 goals and 14 assists for a total of 17 points; his time with the Sabres had him scoring two goals and one assist.

What Pysyk is capable of is not a great deal of offensive numbers, but positive possession stats and defensive ability. He is not a P.K Suban style defender, but he is more than capable of holding his own in the defensive zone. He proved that when he got his call up to the Sabre in January. He was filling in for an injured Mike Weber and he displayed a solid defensive game overall.

Due to this high level of play, Mark Pysyk was a plus 4 for his plus-minus while in Buffalo. Granted, he did only play seven games, but he was able to play a responsible game to help Buffalo towards some good efforts.

Being famous perhaps only for the lone goal he scored in 2013-2014 (the infamous “Butt Goal” on Mike Smith), Pysyk has not gotten the amount of attention he deserves; nor the amount of praise.

There really are not any highlight reel plays that he has made so far in his career, but thats what makes him such a valuable weapon for the Buffalo Sabres. Tim Murray would be a fool to move this kid when he has come this far in his development. Not only that, but Pysyk showed in his brief stint in Buffalo that he is fully ready for the NHL level.

There really isn’t much he can learn at the AHL level. He has elite level positioning and the defensive responsibility level similar to Ryan Suter of the Wild. He has shown that he was ready for the big club this year, but the desire for last place held him in rochester to hone his skills to a pristine level.

I have no doubt in my mind that Mark Pysyk will be on the Sabres roster next season. He is more than ready, and it is time to see him shine in his defensive role.

Now, that is not me saying that he should be on the top pairing and shutting down top lines next year, but he has more than earned a slot in the top 6 for the defense.

I would love to see him play with the likes of Josh Gorges or even Jake McCabe for a majority of the upcoming year. He would then be able to further develop his offensive game along with his NHL level defensive positioning.

What do you all think should be done with Pysyk?

Next: Potential Prospects: Ilya Samsonov

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