While running the Boston Bruins, GM Peter Chiarelli had a knack for acquiring bigger, physical veterans. While the philosophy likely changes in Edmonton, it would surprise no one if Chiarelli tries to add that player type to his new team. In fact, in his opening press conference he mentioned being tougher and possibly getting bigger.
Edmonton’s biggest needs are on the back-end, with goaltending and defense being massive holes. One player that could fill that massive hole on the blue-line while scratching the itch for bigger and more physical players? The one and only Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets.
Why Is He Out There:
Let’s get this out of the way right now, the Jets are not shopping Byfuglien. That said, they’ll need to make changes on the back-end in the coming seasons. The Jets have a ton of prospects pushing through the system, and already have about eight capable NHL defenders ready to go for next season. Factor in that Big Buff is a free agent next year, and things get interesting.
Would Winnipeg consider moving Byfuglien for offensive help while handing the blue-line over to Tyler Myers, Jacob Trouba and Tobias Enstrom? It’s not overly likely, but it’s still possible.
What Does He Do Well:
Dustin Byfuglien is one of my favorite players to watch in the NHL, I truly mean that. He’s an extremely good defender who can completely changed the tide of a game. To put it simply, this is the player that sets the tone on the ice on a nightly basis.
He’s built in a unique way, clocking in at 6’5” and 265 pounds. Yeah, he’s big, and he’s also intimidating at times. Big Buff is a physical player who throws his weight around and plays an aggressive game. He’s willing to drop the gloves when need be, and he can change the direction of a game with a massive hit. He has that impact.
Defensively, he’s very solid too. Thanks to his size, Byfuglien is easily able to hold the blue-line and break up the opposing cycle in the defensive zone. He’s a pretty smart player who uses his size to get into the necessary position and who can take over a game with his raw ability.
Offensively, Buff is a massive producer. His passing skills are as good as your average forward, which is because he is capable of playing forward in this league! He can move the puck out of the zone with solid passes, and is more than capable of keeping the play alive in the zone.
He also possess a very dangerous shot, and can play the point on the power-play. Oh, and if you really need it, he can post up out front on the power-play too. This guy really does it all.
He’s prone to making mistakes defensively, but overall his game is solid. He’s an effective shut-down player with an offensive side, and that makes him extremely valuable to NHL teams. He takes his fair share of penalties as well, which is something to watch.
Lastly, Buff can log big minutes, as he averaged 22:41 per game last season. He’s easily inside the range of an effective top-four defender.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
No questions asked, Byfuglien would be Edmonton’s number one defender if he were acquired. He also fits the role, as he is a solid top-pairing defender in the NHL. He might not be an ideal number one defender, but he’s a high level number two in my mind, and he could easily fill the role of top-pairing rearguard.
The following chart shows Byfuglien as a top-pairing defender in every category except for preventing shot attempts, although he still clocks in as a top-four option.
What Will He Cost:
Like it or not, he is going to cost a lot should he be moved. He’s a number one defender who played on a playoff team. That will cost anyone a pretty penny. I’d imagine Winnipeg asks for Jordan Eberle off the hop, which I’d be hesitant of doing.
Nail Yakupov and the 16th overall pick? Possibly, but I don’t think the Jets would bite on that offer. I keep coming back to Jordan Eberle and Martin Marincin for Byfuglien and a Winnipeg forward.
Closing Arguments:
Edmonton desperately needs a top-pairing defender, and Dustin Byfuglien fills that roll. The Jets need to make room for incoming prospects, and could look to move Buff, who is a free agent in July of 2016. It would cost a lot, but it’s a potential option for both teams.
From Edmonton’s perspective, this could be the homerun swing that brings balance to the roster. Byfuglien is a big, tough and physical player, which scratches a lot of itches. On top of that, he’s a legit top-pairing defender in this league, is in the prime of his career, and would instantly bring credibility to Edmonton’s back-end.
It’s one of the more unlikely options, but it’s also one of the more appealing ones available to Peter Chiarelli this summer.
[wpauction /]
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