I guess I can cross Dustin Byfuglien off my list players I would like to see the Minnesota Wild sign in the offseason. Personally, I think the Thrashers got the better end of this deal. They get a mountain of a power forward in
Dustin Byfuglien a serviceable tough guy in
Ben Eager and a decent defenseman in
Brent Sopel. The extra throw in player is
Akim Aliu was the player that got into a major incident with Lightning Hack Steve Donnie over a hazing incident in juniors that lead to a
fight in practice. The Chicago Blackhawks get the 24th, 54th picks over all as well as
Marty Reasoner and
Jeremy Morin.
TSN - Dustin Byfuglien, one of the breakout players for the Stanley Cup-winning Blackhawks last season, is in the process of being traded to the Thrashers, pending league approval.
Byfuglien, along with Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu, will be headed to Atlanta in exchange for the 24th overall pick at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the 54th pick, Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin.
The picks that Chicago get in the deal were acquired by Atlanta in the trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey last February.
The 25-year-old forward had 17 goals and 17 assists in 82 games with the Hawks last season.
At 6'4, 257 pounds, the Minnesota native will bring his thunderous size and strength to the struggling Thrashers franchise.
Byfuglien was originally selected 245th overall by the Blackhawks in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
