Dustin Byfuglien's Transition to D is Going Quite Well

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: Sabres, Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers decision to move Dustin Byfuglien to defense (he was originally drafted as a defenseman) was met with some skepticism and criticism this summer, most of which came from former NHL star Jeremy Roenick. During his weekly radio show in late September Roenick said this on the Thrashers move:

"That might be the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life. Dustin Byfuglien as a defenseman. I would love to play against Dustin Byfuglien as a defenseman. I would turn him inside out, left, right and center every single time. This kid, he made his living in front of the net scoring goals during the playoffs for the Chicago Blackhawks. Why on earth would you put him back as a defenseman?"

Boom. Ten games into the season and Byfuglien has been one of Atlanta's best defensemen, and one of the most productive rearguards in the NHL. He's averaging over 21 minutes of ice-time per game, is fifth in scoring among all defensemen with 10 points and on top of the league with four goals and seven power play points. On Friday, as Atlanta overcame an early 2-0 deficit against the Buffalo Sabres to earn a 4-3 overtime win, Byfuglien scored the game-winning goal in overtime on a coast-to-coast rush (hey, it's been a theme with Atlanta recently) that split the Buffalo defense.

Here's the video...

 

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