Dustin Byfuglien has filled a wide array of roles during his time in the National Hockey League. He started his career as a defenseman in the Chicago Blackhawks' system before morphing into a top-six forward with the big club and helping them win a Stanley Cup. He was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers where he transitioned back to his natural position of defense and became an alternate captain, then remained a key defensive component as the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg and became the Jets.
Now, Byfuglien may be readying to reprise a role he's filled before - trade bait.
Byfuglien is all but out the door in Winnipeg, and there are numerous teams enamored with the idea of potentially acquiring his services - especially the Boston Bruins, according to a report from Eklund of Hockeybuzz.com.
There are many opinions on Dustin Byfuglien out there, but one thing appears certain... he is not long for the Winnipeg Jets, and his current value is about as high as it will get. If the Jets know he's likely not coming back and then look around the league of the need for a Dustin Byfuglien type player... they would be foolish to wait for the draft move him. One team very high on Byfuglien is the Boston Bruins... Boston is joined by Philadelphia, Montréal and New Jersey...but that is one list I expect to expand exponentially soon.
So far this season, Byfuglien has two goals and four assists in 19 games of action, according to NHL.com. He leads the Jets in both hits (58) and shots (62).
The Bruins have been doing their best to deal with the injury to Captain and major defensive piece, Zdeno Chara, but it's a tall (see what I did there?) task. Youngsters Dougie Hamilton, David Warsofsky and Joe Morrow have done their best to fill the massive void left by Chara's absence, but for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, their efforts may leave the team wanting.
Adding a big, strong, veteran defender who plays with good positioning, will chip in offensively and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty like Byfuglien - should the price be right - could be too enticing to pass up.
