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While playing mostly third line minutes under former head coach John Tortorella, the 12-year veteran registered 11 points and a plus-5 rating in 48 games for the Blueshirts last season. Pyatt, who enters the second half of his two year deal with New York, may benefit the most from the Rangers' hiring of Alain Vigneault. Having played under Vigneault for three seasons in Vancouver, Pyatt had back-to-back 37 point seasons, establishing and matching a career-high in the first two campaigns. While ordinarily we would suggest you leave Pyatt off your radar, he did spend minimal time paired with the likes of Brad Richards and Derek Stepan at times last season. Although he's unlikely to display a fervent scoring pace, he could end up becoming the constant Vigneault uses to find chemistry with unfamiliar players. Stay diligent with this wildcard. He could end up your FA pick up of the year.
Pyatt comes to the Rangers from the Phoenix Coyotes, where he posted 19 points in 73 games last season. He'll be hard-pressed to find time in the Rangers' stacked lineup, so the 30-year-old will likely won't score much in 2012-13 unless the Blueshirts experience a rash of injuries. Pyatt is a veteran checking forward that gives the Rangers some more experience.
Pyatt performed well in 2010-11 given the expectations in place for him after a mediocre start to his career in the desert. With 31 points (18 G, 13 A), Pyatt proved to be a legitimate offensive factor among Coyotes forwards and, heading into the final year of his contract, could be poised for another strong season. It's not unreasonable to expect a 30-point season from the winger in 2011-12.
After coming to the Coyotes in 2009-10, Pyatt did his best to find his game. He skated on the third and fourth lines, and put up 23 points (12G 11A) with a plus-13 rating. Because of his size, Pyatt was used in defensive situations and any goal that he scored was a bonus to the Coyotes scoring-by-committee approach. Any improvement from Pyatt could have him cross the 40-point plateau, something he hasn't done in his career.
Pyatt should jump right in and play on the fourth line with the Coyotes. Pyatt tallied 19 points (10 G, 9A) in 69 games with Vancouver last season, and, when he feels like it, he can be a pretty dominant physical presence on the ice, something the Coyotes could use at the forward position.
Pyatt tied a career high with 37 points last season. He is slated to man the left side on the Canucks second line. The most intriguing thing to watch with Pyatt this season is how he plays with newcomer Pavol Demitra. If Demitra bounces back from a disappointing 2007-08 campaign, Pyatt could reap the benefits.
Pyatt will once again get a long look with the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik. However, this year he might be on a shorter leash as coach Alain Vigneault will audition others for the role if he falters. If he stays on the top line, he could improve on last year's numbers (23 goals and 14 assists). His offense is desperately needed on this low scoring team.
Pyatt has dissapointed so far in his career and is looking to make a fresh start in Vancouver where he will be given every opportunity to do just that. Owners in deeper leagues can take a late-round flyer on him and hope he finds what has been missing so far in his NHL career.
Pyatt started off well in 2003-04, then fizzled after losing his spot on the top two lines and being derailed by knee and shoulder injuries. He ended up with just eight goals, 12 assists and 20 points in 63 games. He's showing signs of life, but we're still waiting for the big season when he sustains offense over the course of a whole year. At 23, there's still time to take a chance on Pyatt and get him on the cheap. We give it 50-50 that it pays off in a year or two.
Pyatt started off well in 2003-04, then fizzled after losing his spot on the top two lines and being derailed by knee and shoulder injuries. He ended up with just eight goals, 12 assists and 20 points in 63 games. He's showing signs of life, but we're still waiting for the big season when he sustains offense over the course of a whole year. At 22, there's still time to take a chance on Pyatt and get him on the cheap. We give it 50-50 that it pays off in a year or two.
