How much value do former Buffalo Sabres bring to their new teams?

Mark Pysyk, Detroit Red Wings

Pysyk is the reason I am glad to have waited a little longer to write this article, as he will miss at least half of next season after undergoing surgery for an Achilles injury. Just one day into NHL Free Agency, however, the Detroit Red Wings signed the Buffalo Sabres former first round pick to a one-year, one-way, $850k deal.

While Pysyk will likely miss between four and six months, his versatility makes him a good value pickup. Like Miller and Butcher, Pysyk, a fan favorite, was not sticking around given the youth movement in the defensive rotation.

Given his sticky situation, Pysyk may miss the entire year and perhaps never don the red and white. Or, he can return within four months, roughly around late November, and become a solid fixture on the third pairing for the Red Wings. He can be a physical player who often has a knack for putting himself in the right position to help prevent the puck from finding twine.

He is a smart player who isn’t going to produce eye-popping numbers or even wow you with his game. But if the Sabres end up playing against Pysyk, they are going to account for where the versatile defenseman is on the ice at all times. He can force opponents to make contingency plans during a play.