Buffalo Sabres stunned by Pilut's departure, thought KHL offer was negotiation tactic

When Lawrence Pilut signed with the Buffalo Sabres after the 2017-18 season, he did so as one of the most exciting free agents outside the NHL. The Swedish defenceman was undrafted, but after a season with 38 points in the SHL as well as 5 points in 10 games with team Sweden, many predicted a successful future in the NHL. His tenure with the Sabres hasn't been bad, either. In his first season with the organization, he played 33 games with the Sabres and scored 26 points in 30 games with their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

Maybe that's why, according to Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald, Buffalo were stunned when they found out Pilut had signed with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. According to the Times Herald source, Pilut's agent Patrik Aronsson had told the organization that he could be leaving for the KHL, but the agent's claims were dismissed as negotiation tactic. However, the Pilut camp suddenly went silent, and a few days later Traktor's signing was made official.
The Buffalo Sabres Assistant General Manager, Randy Sexton, who is also the Rochester Americans General Manager, was surprised.

“He had put in so much work here and he was so close. He had played games both seasons, he understood our philosophy, he understood our approach and he was right there. He's going in a different direction. That's obviously his prerogative. I wish him well.”

Sexton didn't believe frustration was the reason for the departure either: "I suspect the financial piece of that may have had something to do with it. I don't know.”

It has been rumoured the KHL deal contains an NHL out clause, but Randy Sexton has not seen the contract. If Lawrence Pilut however choses to leave the KHL, the Sabres are planning on keeping his rights by giving him a qualifying offer.

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