The big left winger, who never fulfilled his potential after arriving in one of the biggest trades in recent Sabres history, was sent Friday to the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft.
Pyatt was a numbers casualty. His departure trims $1 million off the Sabres’ payroll and gives a younger player such as Daniel Paille a chance to crack the lineup on a forward-laden roster.
The Sabres also signed three players Friday. Forward Derek Roy and defenseman Nathan Paetsch accepted their one-year qualifying offers while defenseman Andrej Sekera, a 2004 third-round draft choice, signed a three-year entry-level deal.
The signings were anticipated.
Perhaps Pyatt’s exit should have been, too.
“They’re tough decisions, but given the economic landscape of the National Hockey League these types of deals are a lot more obvious in a lot of ways,” Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said.
Pyatt wasn’t surprised to receive the phone call from Vancouver GM Dave Nonis.
“I can’t say it was a shock,” Pyatt said from Calgary, where he was attending the Stampede, the annual 10-day rodeo. "I talked to my agent a bit and knew there was interest from some teams, but it still takes a while for something like this to sink in.
“Definitely, it’s mixed emotions, but I’m looking forward to a fresh start. I have a chance to play more minutes, play a bigger role on another team. I’ve gone through quite a few ups and downs in Buffalo. I’m just looking forward to a new team.”
Pyatt’s production in Buffalo never matched his promise (drafted eighth overall in 1999), his size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) or his salary.
How Pyatt came to Buffalo only added more pressure. He was acquired with center Tim Connolly in the trade that sent popular captain Michael Peca to the New York Islanders in 2001.
“I think I had a fair shot,” said Pyatt, who will turn 25 next month. “Things didn’t work out the way I’d have liked them to, but I have nothing but great things to say about the Sabres organization. I would have like to have played better at times and had more success, but I learned a lot.”
Pyatt’s best campaign came in 2002-03, his first full season with the Sabres. He had 14 goals and 14 assists in 78 games, all career highs.
In only 41 games last season, Pyatt had six goals, six assists and 33 penalty minutes. He missed 27 games with a broken wrist and five more with a concussion.
“He had some good times and some times that were a bit of a struggle,” Regier said. “I spoke with Taylor today and told him he had some inopportune injuries or circumstances just when he was getting going. On a couple occasions he ran into injuries that stopped whatever momentum he had.”
Pyatt redeemed himself somewhat in the playoffs. He skated on a solid fourth line, adding five assists in 14 games.
In other Sabres news, Don Luce will not have his contract renewed, ending his tenure with the club after 19 seasons in the front office and 10 on the ice. Luce, a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame, had been the team’s director of player development.
Also leaving this week was director of pro scouting Terry Martin, who joined the Colorado Avalanche after 17 seasons with the Sabres.
Luce ranks seventh on the Sabres’ all-time games played list (766), ninth in goals (216), seventh in assists (310), seventh in points (526) and second in short-handed goals (21). He was a plus-61 in 1974-75, a team record. Buffalo’s scouting department has undergone a massive overhaul in recent years. Top Rochester Americans liaison Larry Carriere left the organization in 2004 to join the Washington Capitals.
