Buffalo Sabres: Three reasons Mark Pysyk may return
By Sion Fawkes
Leadership qualities
Kyle Okposo is the team’s leader, hands down. But one man cannot lead a team predominantly made up of 20 somethings. Sure, they have Jeff Skinner, and Alex Tuch is wise beyond his years. And we can’t forget about Zemgus Girgensons. But there is no one on defense set to lead the charge, even if it won’t always be from the ice.
Enter Pysyk, who could very well return to mentor Owen Power. But he can also serve as the leader to the entire rotation. When Okposo went down with an injury, Pysyk did wear the A label, showing Granato’s trust in the defenseman’s leadership ability.
He also understood his role when head coach Don Granato started playing the younger defensemen in his place as the season waned. During his time in Dallas and Florida, getting scratched affected his confidence. These days, he knows the younger guys will get the nod, regardless of his performance.
That will be his role if he returns. But it will evolve into something more of a player-coach role. His leadership last season showed he is capable. And every team needs those types of players.