There was a time not so long ago when Tyler Pitlick was considered a solid bottom-six option in the NHL. The big, physical forward was even selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, and then netted them a fourth-round pick when the Calgary Flames wanted to add him to their squad.
Today, Pitlick was released from his PTO by the St. Louis Blues, meaning he’s without a job just a few days before the season begins. The 30-year-old forward played just 39 games last season split between the Flames and Montreal Canadiens, scoring just five points in the process. It appears as though his days in the NHL may be numbered, and a minor league landing spot may be next.
Selected 31st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, Pitlick never did become the two-way center that some expected. In fact, he barely played in the middle at all at the NHL level, instead settling into a depth role on the wing, where he used his physicality more than anything else. His best season came in 2017-18 with the Dallas Stars, when he scored 14 goals and 27 points but otherwise he has just 62 other points in the remaining 245 games of his career.
What follows is unclear for Pitlick but with so few opportunities available around the league, the minor leagues or overseas may have to be an option. He hasn’t played in the AHL since the 2015-16 season when he had 21 points in 37 games for the Bakersfield Condors.