Observations:

June 2016 – Pysyk was traded to the Florida Panthers along with 2016 draft picks #38 (Adam Mascherin) and #89 (Linus Nassen), in return Buffalo received Dmitry Kulikov and 2016 draft pick #33 (Rasmus Asplund). Pysyk should fit into the Panthers lineup in the fourth to sixth defensemen range, competing for ice time against Alex Petrovic, Michael Matheson and Jakob Kindl. Paul Zwambag

January 2016 – Pysyk is finally healthy after a lower-body injury in mid-November, he had played 21 games before his injury and was only able to put up one assist on November 7^th. He has been relied upon to be a shutdown guy, logging 16:19 of time on ice per game. Pysyk is still progressing to be a solid NHL defensemen, but injuries have hampered his growth. Pysyk is not on anyone’s fantasy roster as of right now, nor should he be. He has put up only 15 shots, 14 hits and 20 blocks in the extra stat categories that some leagues play. He isn’t going to help much in those categories either, he will continue to improve offensively, it will just take some more ice time. Paul Zwambag

July 2015 – Pysyk had a scary injury during a three-on-three basketball game on February 28^th, Mark collapsed and lost consciousness for a short period of time during the medical emergency. At the time GM Tim Murray described it as a seizure. Mark played seven NHL games, four in December and three in February just before this injury occurred. Mark did not return to the ice for the rest of the year. The big question is; can he get back to 100% health? He has already proven he is capable of NHL minutes and the recent trade in which Zadorov was shipped out of Buffalo will help his stock. Pysyk moves up a spot on the depth chart, but be cautious of his health and check in when training camp begins to see if he is given a chance at the bottom pairing. Paul Zwambag

July 2013 – When the year began in Rochester, Mark Pysyk probably never imagined getting into a game with the Buffalo Sabres. When the lockout was lifted in early January, Pysyk was biding his time working hard and continuing to play a solid dependable two-way game that we have come to know and expect. On March 17^th to his surprise, Pysyk got the call to join up with his old coach Ron Rolston in Buffalo who had taken over for the recently dismissed Lindy Ruff as Head Coach. Pysyk didn’t look back as he ended up skating in 19 games for the Sabres scoring one goal and four assists. Despite not putting up gaudy numbers, Pysyk was able to gain much needed experience for the rebuilding Sabres and will take this experience with him into next season where he will look to become a mainstay on the Sabres blue line. Travis Watson

April 2012 – Pysyk has had a solid year and the fun is only beginning. His Edmonton Oil Kings are currently on a 19 game win streak and are looking unbeatable in the playoffs. This added experience under the pressures of playoff hockey will be good for Pysyk’s long term development. He is looking like a good prospect, but will have to improve his foot speed to be as effective in the professional ranks. Expect him to join the Sabres AHL affiliate in Rochester next season. Zenon Herasymiuk

December 2011 – Edmonton-area native Mark Pysyk hasn’t had to travel very far in his career. In fact, the Edmonton Oil Kings captain didn’t even have to change dressing rooms in order to put on the red and white for Team Canada at the World Juniors. But the Buffalo Sabres hope that changes- quickly. A smooth-skating defensive stud who leverages his speed and intelligence to shut down plays, Pysyk has always matched up against the best and toughest in his age group. Not quite ready for NHL duty this past fall, the 20-year-old should be a steadying influence on the Buffalo defensive core for years to come. Matthew Bugg

Fantasy Outlook: C

Pysyk has recovered from his scary off-ice injury in 2015, he will get a chance to be a second pairing defensman with the Panthers. He could see second unit powerplay time if the Panthers change from a one defenseman to a two defensemen powerplay unit.

Footage:

Some Pysyk sandpaper:

{youtube}rFjzOPKUWL0{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

{source}<iframe src="http://www.eliteprospects.com/iframe_player_stats.php?player=23154" width="100%" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" ></iframe>{/source}