SUNRISE, Fla. – In one of the first big splashes of what would eventually become an astounding tidal wave of activity this offseason, the Florida Panthers acquired puck-moving defenseman Mark Pysyk in a draft day trade with the Buffalo Sabres on June 25.
“We’ve liked him all along,” Panthers General Manager Tom Rowe said of Pysyk. “Looking at the numbers on him, the possession numbers are unbelievable. He’s a real good skater, big guy, can move the puck.”
A first-round pick (23rd overall) of the Sabres in the 2010 NHL Draft, the 24-year-old Pysyk has recorded 26 points (5-21-26) in 125 career games all with Buffalo.