Could Byfuglien back on blueline be bad news for Kulda?
One of the more interesting things that came from Chris Vivlamore’s recent chat with Rick Dudley was the suggestion that Dustin Byfuglien could wind up playing defense.
“It’s a position that he likes to play”, Dudley told Vivlamore. “It’s a position that I thought he was well on his way to being a top, top defenseman in Chicago”.
Roberto Luongo and other goalies around the NHL certainly wouldn't mind seeing the large frame of Dustin Byfuglien moving to defense (AP photo)
Continuing the Thrashers GM added, “We moved him to forward because we had no size up front. Obviously, he proved to be a very effective forward but that doesn’t mean he’s not an effective defenseman. Ultimately, if [coach] Craig [Ramsay] says he doesn’t want to play him at defense, it’s unlikely he’ll play on defense. Truthfully, I want to see [him switch]. He can score. He can score 15 goals as a defenseman. He’s got one of the hardest shots in the game”.
The 6’-4” 257 lb Byfuglien was the Blackhawks 245th pick back in the 2003 draft.
Now I must confess, the discussion of such a move is puzzling given the fact that Byfuglien’s size and abilities are just what this team needs in front of opposing goalies. And, if he does take up a spot on the defensive corps that means another player will be denied one. That person most likely would be Arturs Kulda, whom I am really looking forward to seeing on the team this season.
So if Duds gets his wish, the Thrashers D-men would consist of Hainsey, Enstrom, Oduya, Bogosian, Sopel and Buff in back with Valabik left to sample the press box buffet. This is barring any further trades/signings, of course.
What are your thoughts on moving Byfuglien to defense?
- All for it. They need help back there (4%, 6 Votes)
- Not a fan. We need that size up front (72%, 96 Votes)
- Wait...the Thrashers have a forward that knows how to play defense? (24%, 32 Votes)
Total Voters: 134
Loading ...But then let’s also consider the forward lines. The way I see things, Antropov, Peverley, Kane, Little and Bergfors, (when signed), make up five of your top-six forwards. Boulton and Thorburn are fourth liners, possibly centered by Patrice Cormier, and Slater could skate between Eager and Ladd for line three. Then add in, say, Rissmiller as a healthy scratch. But there’s still that one open RW spot on the first or second line to round out the lineup.
This is where Spencer Machacek could possibly find his opening to crack the roster. Dudley has made it clear he wants to make sure there are some spots available for prospects to compete for. So if Buff finds his way onto the defensive corps then that creates an opening for Machacek to fill.
Again, this assumes a trade or signing isn’t in the offing.
Speaking of which, keep in mind we’ve heard rumblings that Dudley and Co. have shown some interest in forward Lee Stempniak. If he were to be brought in, one would think he’s got the inside track to that final top-six spot with Buff on defense.
And that would probably mean Spencer back in Chicago with Arturs.
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156 comments Add your comment
SomaAtl95
August 27th, 2010
10:27 am
… and cue the troll alert…
SomaAtl95
August 27th, 2010
10:30 am
That is really funny Jim Friendly, last season opener against the Caps (oct 10, 2008) we won 7 – 4. Don’t raise the cup in DC quite yet…
Red Light
August 27th, 2010
10:36 am
Don Meehan is Evander Kane’s agent
Dwayne
August 27th, 2010
11:21 am
I thought Don McLean was his agaent.
Dwayne
August 27th, 2010
11:25 am
Smitty, some people just blog to hear themselves… type?
Never add anything important.
GaVaHokie
August 27th, 2010
11:37 am
JPinChi… I know, I know… but get ready. Ramsay said he wants an up-tempo style of play. So, don’t be surprised when the defenseman get the “green light”.
I’m not talking every play… I’m saying “sneak it in” every once in awhile. As long as it’s a designed play, and everyone is aware it’s going to happen, everyone should know what their assignment is.
World Be Free
August 27th, 2010
12:23 pm
Great to listen to the trolls before the 1st puck is dropped. Training camp hasn’t even started yet and some of you are already writing off the season – please. I am not one to tell you people how to think or feel, I am cautious myself though I have seen alotta good things happen this off-season.
The idea of writing off the season as of today is just plain silly.
The “Sports Vent” awaits you guys.
Get The Puck Out
August 27th, 2010
12:43 pm
I just read that Bergfors and the the Thrashers are” far apart” on the contract talks. You think Duds won’t get ‘em signed?
Joe Friday
August 27th, 2010
1:09 pm
“You think Duds won’t get ‘em signed?”
Nah, he’ll get him signed. But I don’t care much for the tenor of what I’m hearing, especially from a club who has plenty of cap room left, I mean how much can he be asking for? Probably $3m per year, make it a 3 year deal worth $8m and be done with it. Dudley sure looks different from Waddell, but he doesn’t sound much different here (we feel the player isn’t worth this much, blah blah blah). To truly change things up here, more needs to changed than rearranging the deck chairs. They need to start DOING BUSINESS differently. Or the revolving door of guys like Bergfors, Ladd, etc. who don’t want to sign long term deals here and are waiting for their UFA year will never change.
We do need more scoring, to bank on every guy we have potting their career high is foolish. We need Bergfors AND we need another scorer.
Tom
August 27th, 2010
1:24 pm
Interesting tidbit from Yahoo Sports on our old friend Ilya:
Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Ilya Kovalchuk and his agent(s) have given the NHL a deadline to approve one of the many contracts the Devils and Kovalchuk have agreed upon. If the NHL does not approve any of them by today or tomorrow, it is very possible Kovalchuk ends up in the KHL.
add this to the hardline stance by the league at NHL.com:
“Obviously he’s a great player, and we want him playing in the National Hockey League, and I believe he wants to play in the National Hockey League,” Daly said.
“During our arbitration on the first contract, he said as much. His priority is to play in the National Hockey League. It’s the best competition in the world, and he wants to be in the League.
“Having said that, I think it’s very, very important to protect our rules and to make decisions based on our rules. If it means losing a player, I’d rather protect our rules than make an exception for an exceptional player.”
and once is drawn to the thought that if Kovy and his agent are playing hardball to this degree we may see him over in Russia playing with Max. My guess is that this will not make NJ’s owners and Sweet Lou very happy.
An interesting saga that gives us a glimmer into the coming union contract negotiations. I think that Dudley is building a team that is sustainable for the long term. The salary cap is not going up much in the near future and the Thrasher’s will have the flexibility to get the marquis player when they become available.
R. Stroz
August 27th, 2010
1:29 pm
I hear the ASG bird outside my window…CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP.
Sara
August 27th, 2010
1:33 pm
I dunno – maybe Dudley’s time in an up and coming Original Six franchise made him forget what happens when you’re the GM of a non-traditional, low-attendance, under-performing market. You want players to play here, it takes a little extra financial incentive. Atlanta’s a nice place to live and all whether you’re a young single guy or married with a couple of kids but there are plenty of other nice places to live that come with teams that win more consistently, have better pedigrees, and more fans that put their butts in the seats.
I admire the sentiment of not wanting to give out foolish contracts and Dudley can’t afford to get too stupid with so many young players on the roster that he’d want to retain over time while having to adhere to internal budget constraints. But until this franchise proves on the ice that they can truly hang and compete, he’s going to have to sweeten the pot from time to time at least a bit.
Darren
August 27th, 2010
1:34 pm
I could be wrong, but I think Larry Simmons handles negotiations for RFAs and such, and has for quite some time. I’m sure both Dudley and Waddell have significant input, but Simmons does the bulk of the negotiating.
Besides, Rick Dudley is no Don Waddell. The man was able to trade Todd White.
Smoothie
August 27th, 2010
2:01 pm
Darren brings up a good point about Todd White. That trade only saved us roughly $1.13 M in cash this season ($2.6 M salary less: Rissmiller ($1.0M) and 1/3 of Brashear’s buyout ($.467M)). Assuming that money was earmarked for Bergy, that would bring his salary to $1.95 M (.818 M + 1.13 M). I’m sure they have no problem paying him an avg of $2.25 M or so as that is only an additional $300 K. That means Bergy’s agent is trying to pry another $750 K from ASG’s tight-fisted hands. They’ll probably meet in the middle and Bergy gets slightly more than Little, whose contract averages $2.383 M per annum ($2.625 M or so).
So there you go, 3 years and a total of $7.9 – $8.0 M just like Joe Friday said above. I wouldn’t call that an immovable contract should Bergfors not pan out as a consistent 25 – 30 goal scorer. There are many a player in the NHL making between $2.5 and $3.0 M who are plenty inconsistent or erratic in their play. Since Bergy is only 23, he has 4 or 5 good years before he is at risk of getting cast aside.
Zombie Steve
August 27th, 2010
2:11 pm
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
I think we could all excerise a little more patience here. Dud’s is a shrewd businessman; all the moves he’s made thus far show that he knows what he’s doing. Furthermore, he’s operating in the confines of the Octodouches and Boss Wad.
Rhytnmpenguin
August 27th, 2010
2:27 pm
Right on Zombie Steve
Rawhide
August 27th, 2010
2:29 pm
PuckDaddy’s Greg Wyshynski tweeted that a source of his says the NHL will approve the latest contract worked out by Kovalchuk and the Devils.
No word on $$$ or length of deal.
SomaAtl95
August 27th, 2010
2:47 pm
Boo, hiss, was hoping Kovy would play at home in Russia so we could go a season with hearing about him. Oh well, hopefully we kick his rear end when we play the devils. Kovy, meet Buff. Buff, kill Kovy…
Rhytnmpenguin
August 27th, 2010
2:52 pm
Having Kovy in the NHL is good for us in that it creates cap problems for whatever team (NJ) he signs with.
Alan R.
August 27th, 2010
3:17 pm
and 1/3 of Brashear’s buyout ($.467M)
As a 35+ contract, Brashear’s buyout is the full $1.4mil.
Smoothie
August 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
Alan – correct you are! But only in terms of the cap hit. Isn’t the actual cash buy-out 2/3 spread out over 2 years? I don’t think Donald is going to get his full $1.4 M but I could be wrong.
I’ve been known to “almond” before…just like Tom Gulitti (chuckle, snort, chortle). What?
alex
August 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
buff will kill kovy if he able to chase him, wait a second buff bad skater he could fall when chasing. also kovy for sure get his 40 goals and 80 points and i betcha in hj system he is going to be + player. how many goals and point we going to get from buff. big ???. his record so far been around 34 far not enough to thrasher to succeed
Alan R.
August 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Now that I really think about it, I’m not sure. However, I’m going to go with “full sum, up front” for my answer. And yes, that is my final answer.
kracker
August 27th, 2010
3:54 pm
Approval probably won’t come until tomorrow is what I am reading.
CraigCustance Got confirmation that a new Kovy deal was submitted and awaits approval. @dchesnokov says approval likely: http://bit.ly/9itTX9
Zombie Steve
August 27th, 2010
3:58 pm
We definitely want the Kovie deal to work in NJ so we can pilfer their talent!! Bring on Zajak
Sports Climax
August 27th, 2010
4:08 pm
Put him on D then have him camp out in front of the net on power plays. You get both assets that way.
Smoothie
August 27th, 2010
4:19 pm
Alan – as far as I can determine, the actual salary payout to the player pursuant to a buy-out is not any different for a player over 35 years of age. The CBA is a beast of a document, but I finally found this in subsection 13(d) of Article 50 regarding team payroll:
(d) If the Club elects to terminate this SPC pursuant to this Paragraph 13, it shall be obligated to pay to the Player, in equal semi-monthly installments, to be paid in accordance with the payroll payment schedule applicable to the Club’s Active Roster, over twice the remaining term of the SPC (the “Buy-Out Period”):
(i) if the Player is under 26 years of age at the time the termination is effective, an amount equal to 1/3 of, or
(ii) if the Player is 26 years of age or older at the time the termination is effective, an amount equal to 2/3 of the total fixed amount of the Player’s Paragraph 1 NHL Salary, for the unexpired fixed-term of this SPC, reduced by any advance payment of Paragraph
1 Salary received by the Player prior to the date the termination is effective.
(e) Upon termination, the Player shall immediately be an Unrestricted Free Agent and shall no longer be obligated to perform under this SPC.
(f) Waiver claim of Player by another Club shall pre-empt and relinquish Club’s Buy-Out obligation, due to failure to clear Waivers.
I’m pretty certain that the over-35 clause was only put in to guard against cap circumvention when a team wants to jettison an older, washed-up player. Thus the full cap hit for Brashear, but he don’t get paid his full salary, which seems fair considering its a form of severance and no guaranty of full pay is given.
Wow, that was fun! I’m ready for a nap! Smoothie out!
rob
August 27th, 2010
4:24 pm
If Buff really wants to play D after getting a feel for winning the Cup by putting his talents to use as a forward…..and if we actually use him as D, I would question the sanity of it. That said, this team is as solid top to bottom as it has been. Not top heavy, not weak at the bottom. Solid D and a good goalie. All the neah sayers can go cheer for the Craps and Ovi, or Cindy and the Pens. I am sure they need more band wagon add-ons……and be sure to come cheer for them when they come to town, I will be happy to be one of the Thrasher fans there cheering for the HOME team.
Lord Stanley
August 27th, 2010
4:37 pm
Once Kovy’s deal is approved, you should see more FA signings, and trades occur. Hopefully the fat last is finally sinigng
Hockey Biltong
August 27th, 2010
5:37 pm
Kill the wabbit, kill the wabbit………………
AtlFlamesFan
August 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
“…that Marc Savard…” And then we let him walk out the door for nothing.
Tom (Capital T Tom)
August 27th, 2010
8:02 pm
Sitting in front of the television tonight I just said to my wife. “I can not wait for hockey to start. Television sucks.”
Just sayin’
Rawhide
August 27th, 2010
8:12 pm
Tom (Capital T Tom) – TV sucks indeed. So, take that pretty bride of yours out to dinner.
alex
August 27th, 2010
8:49 pm
ok dud, you already get 5 nhl proven defensmen and you want to convert buff, that means kulda going back to chigaco and moving postma and zub. further from reaching nhl. what if kulda and zub. feel hope is dead and suddenly decide to buy ticket to russia to play for big oligarchs money (radulov, max,) you going to say good luck, but buff. when contract is over like majority ufa going to say bye to levenson, waddell and company. oops dud probably mandy will be available or lure chelios from retairement.
Hokie P. Clisters
August 27th, 2010
9:13 pm
Rammer has his work cut out for him. I can’t remember the last time we had some many guys competing for spots. I hope Rammer gets it figured out by the end of September. I for one cannot complain about the depth of competition. It’s looks to be the best I’ve ever seen in ATL.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Bergie is asking for 4-5 mil a year. If he was asking for 2-3 mil a year then Duds probably would be quiet and the contract process would be working its way out. Hopefully it will get done. Burma, Cormier and Pettersson are going to push for spots. Unfortunately, Machacek could be the odd man out. Then throw in unforeseen injuries to mix it up more.
Our blue line will have to be dominant for Kulda to be sent down. Sopel is going to have to be ready. Boris is going to have to be a beast. I see Zubs pushing also. Rammer could also nix the defense expirement with Buff after 2 weeks of camp or use him as a hybrid.
In summary, I hope Rammer doesn’t retire after 2 weeks of camp!
SomaAtl95
August 27th, 2010
11:23 pm
Nice to see that we have shed the “Kovy” image we had – this is from EA Sports: http://twitpic.com/2itxc0 It’s nice to see something like this so soon – hopefully he continues to be the real deal!
Tony C.
August 28th, 2010
6:48 am
horrible idea.
World Be Free
August 28th, 2010
7:35 am
Hokie-sounds like a pretty good situation for a new coach, doesn’t it?
Darren
August 28th, 2010
8:58 am
Definitely agree Smoothie on what Bergfors’ agent is probably shooting for. As long as he can be a consistent offensive threat, I’m okay with paying him slightly more than Little.
My guess is Stempniak will probably want a multi-year deal, but we will see what the “value of the player” turns out to be. My guess is a one-year deal for Guerin would be more likely, from the standpoint that it would be in the best interest of both parties.
World Be Free
August 28th, 2010
9:16 am
I think a number of us have agreed on Bill Geurin being a good fit here. He’s a Dudley kind of player, mature guy who could fill in a number of spots.
Term seems to a bigger issue with most of the remaining RFAs. They all seem to want a deal that takes them to unrestricted free agencies when they can cash in. I prefer to see Bergfors beyond free ageny and I agree that he will probably get a little more than what Bryan Little received.
Flagstaff
August 28th, 2010
10:16 am
I’d love to see Guerin or any one of the good Devils here, but the reality is that Dudley has said that he is perfectly content going into the season with the team as it is now. I’d be very happy to see a deal like these go down, but something tells me that that’s wishful thinking.
Rhythmpenguin
August 28th, 2010
10:26 am
Smoothie, do you have a life? Reading the CBA on a Friday afternoon? =)
Darkhorse
August 28th, 2010
10:55 am
Moving Buff away from more offensive depth up front and net presence, further pushing back all these supposed highly touted young dmen in the system that maybe ready to contribute in a 6-7th role? Stupid idea in my book, unless he has a deal in the works bringing in some legit forwards.
As far as Guerin is concerned, I do think he could bring a lot of intangibles here, but if he’s the answer to the 15-25 goal guy for Dudley, then I’m not that thrilled. He’s more the type guy to bring in at the trade deadline for that playoff push, if we even happen to be in that spot.
I still would say to Dudley he’s worked hard this offseason to get the roster in much better shape, but why stop now? There will be deals to be made over the next month, and we seem to have more talent and depth in the system as assets to use than ever before. So IF there is a way to bring in a top line forward and not give away the farm, do it. This upcoming season doesn’t appear to be a rebuild year in Dudley’s book, so why give up on rebuilding the roster at this point with filler guys or too many untested rookies?
I really hope a couple of the guys that have been mentioned off Calgary and NJ’s roster can be had.
Red Light
August 28th, 2010
11:20 am
It’s time to fish or cut bait. There are a number of guys in that 21-25 age range in the system and this organization needs to find out if they can play now. Kulda, Machacek and Postma are examples. Give them a good long look at camp. Give them an opportunity to play regularly and see what develops. They all have two-way deals, so nothing ventured, nothing gained. Cormier and Burmistrov, while I’d love to see them here, it’s not vital at this point, so if they are among the best 13 forwards, then great, if not give them another year to develop.
Byfuglien’s case reminds me of taking what could be a good situation, him at forward, and weakening it. If he’s capable of being a top-6 d-man, great, if not we know he’s a top-9 forward. Nothing wrong with the experiment but if Kulda or Postma are better than Buf on D, he goes immediately back to forward.
Wise to remember that there haven’t been these kind of options around here before, and that means this team is hopefully getting deeper.
Nate
August 28th, 2010
11:34 am
Soma – Thanks for sharing the Twitter pic of Evander. I’m pleased we’ve shed that image so quickly as well.
World Be Free
August 28th, 2010
12:45 pm
Red Light-couldn’t agree more on all counts, the kids, Buff and depth. Bill Guerin reminds me alot of Scott Mellanby at the same point in his career. You are not looking to Guerin for goals, you are looking for toughness, character and professionalism. # 13 has alot of all 3 characteristics, he would be a good signing.
Writers in cities around the league keep mentioning ATL as a a possible destination for some the remaining UFAs, either because of cap space or possible rumors that the team is actively looking to add another veteran forward.
Alan R.
August 28th, 2010
1:23 pm
Posted on Twitter by Nick Kypreos
I can confirm the Leafs have signed free agent Clarke MacArthur to a 1-yr/$1.1M contract. 16 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Brendan
August 28th, 2010
1:38 pm
The Leafs saved $1.3 million off of the the $2.4 million arbitration award. http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=331935
Khabibulin will get six months in jail for drunk driving, while speeding in his Ferrari.
Brendan
August 28th, 2010
1:44 pm
Red Light, Smoothie, WBF, do you think the Devils would do Bergfors for Zajac, as a ’straigt-up’ salary cap move? The Devils would be getting their player back, and improving their cap situation.
World Be Free
August 28th, 2010
2:37 pm
MacArthur will be like Colby-slack off and listen to the Leafs fans cut you in half.
Brendan-to answer your question, I would not make the deal. Not because I do not think it would be a bad trade for either team, I just don’t want to be a team that dumps a guy when you can’t make a deal right away. So many players have left here for a variety of reasons and it’s obvious the Bergfors negotiations have hit a rough spot. But we traded for him, Bergie was the centerpiece of the Kovy deal. Let’s get him signed for 3 years and start to show other players that we are commited to some type of future. Cycling players in and out is not the path to stability.