Taylor Pyatt
#14 / Left Wing / New York Rangers
6-4
230
Aug 19, 1981
Thunder Bay, ON
8th, 1999 (CBJ)
| Assets | Has a good combination of size and skating ability. Is a sound body checker. Defensively aware, he also displays a few flashes of offensive ability. Can play on either side of center. Is trust-worthy with the game on the line. |
| Flaws | Lacks the consistency needed to produce quality top-six winger numbers in the NHL. Struggles in the hockey sense department and doesn’t use his 6-4, 228-pound frame nearly enough to keep opponents honest. |
| Career Potential | Big, versatile defensive winger. (Assets, Flaws, and Career Potential via The Hockey News player page) |
Career Individual Usage, via somekindofninja (click to enlarge):
2013 Rangers Player Usage, via Hockey Abstract:
Why you should know who he is – 2013 is Pyatt’s first season with the Rangers, having signed as a free agent in July to a two-year contract. The veteran left winger is seemingly in his NHL decline, having dropped off offensively since a career high of 37 points in both 2006-07 and 2007-08 with the Vancouver Canucks. However, in last year’s Western Conference Final run with the Phoenix Coyotes Pyatt posted personal bests in playoff games, goals, and shooting percentage, something the Capitals would be wise to acknowledge is lurking in John Tortorella‘s bottom six. The winger will bring tenacity and a physical presence below the goal line, Washington’s defensive duos needing to keep him from creating havoc and distress in the offensive zone. Plus, his old man was a Cap, so there’s that.
How the Caps can stop him – Pyatt will never be confused for Rick Nash or Derek Stepan but the big rig winger is good at creating time and space for his linemates. If the Capitals are able to prevent Pyatt from retrieving pucks in the offensive zone much of the trouble he can create is taken out of the equation. While not a deft stickhandler or playmaker when Pyatt has his head up with the puck he can make an impact because of the space his size affords him. He used that advantage very well in a support role during last year’s playoff run. By confronting the power forward physically, and relentlessly, Washington’s defensive units should be able to keep Pyatt from expanding on the success he found in the first three rounds with the Coyotes last year.