yave1964 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 The Jets are faced with a decision with Dustin Byfuglien. Three choices actually. Use him as a middle six forward and a power play specialist. Use him as an offensive defenseman Trade him, essentially cut bait. Big Buff can flat out play, IMHO a lot of the things that people crack on him for are over exaggerated, one of the biggest men in the game at 6 foot 5 and 270 pounds, he always looks like he is sweating out a six pack of beer that he downed the night before, but no matter what you do with him he has a certain amount of success. He was huge (no pun intended) in the Hawks first cup run, with 11 goals in 22 games before the cap forced them to give him a copy of the home game and ship him to Atlanta for an autographed Steve Bartkowski football, the last five years the Jets/Thrashers have bounced him between forward and defense and still after all of this time not yet found a defined role. He is a 55 point 100 PIMs a year guy who is a force on the power play but on defense he is too slow and as a forward it is almost laughable watching him try to back check and get back in the play as the other team enters the Jets zone. The Jets are a deep organization, they lost Frolik but replaced him with Burmistrov, Joel Armia, Matt Halischuk and Matt Fraser so forward is starting to fill up. On defense, Myers came over from Buffalo and will be a big minute eater (again no pun intended) Trouba is on the cusp of a huge career (okay, that one was on purpose) and Josh Morrissey and Ben Chiarot and others are getting close. Returning vets Clitsome, Enstrom Pardy and Stuart make it a crowded back end, so finding room for him there is going to be difficult. Coach Paul Maurice had moved Buff to forward before the entire blueline went down at the same time and he was moved back to the back end where he remained more or less for the rest of the season last year. Buff deserves credit for taking charge and greasing the skids for the running out of town of malcontent Evander Kane, he is a locker room leader. That is a point to consider. My opinion is he starts the year in Winnipeg, probably on the back end unless Morrissey has a monster camp and forces him out. One way or the other the jets are faced with a decision that will likely come to a head this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Meant to add a poll, but opinions please, Keep him at forward Keep him at defense Trade him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FD19372 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Decent defenseman but only getting slower, and needs to keep his weight down. I don't see him going anywhere until this season's trade deadline. He could always retire and be cast as Stay-Puf in the new Ghostbusters movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Trade him Enstrom That's what they should really do. In all seriousness, I think the Jets should keep Buff. Fans like him, team mates like him, Coach likes him (?). If they were going to trade him they should have sold high on him this past year as he was lights out. Since they were making a playoff run they kept him and, in my mind, that made the decision for them. He is one of a small handful of players who can play Forward or D so that makes him especially valuable IMHO. It's nice to have options like that when you have injuries like they did last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 @Podein25 I LOVE players with the skill to play multiple positions, Zetterberg bouncing between the wing and center gives the Wings many options. I am envious of a team that has a Burns or a Buff who can bounce between forward and defense. They are a dying breed. Red Kelly on, very few players have been able to do what they do. Buff is a respected team leader which is underrated, when the cancer that was Kane reached a head it was Buff who made a stand and forced him out. I love the guy, he is slowing down a bit but his unique skills work for me. He could play for me any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 when the cancer that was Kane reached a head it was Buff who made a stand and forced him out. Yup. Buff is a competitive guy - when he makes mistakes it's almost always because he's trying to do too much, do it all. I'm not certain he's slowing down, it depends on his fitness level I think. That's my only worry about the guy, but I think he's surrounded by guys (like Wheeler, Ladd) who are fitness fiends by the sounds of it, so that should keep him honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxpin Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Meant to add a poll, but opinions please,Keep him at forwardKeep him at defenseTrade him Poll added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Poll added. Huh, you're not completely useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 @ruxpin Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxpin Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Huh, you're not completely useless.I'm a 1%er Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Force Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Trade him. Get a first line forward for him. or an elite prospect. His stock is high. Other side, he is very popular, and a very effective player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottM Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I'd keep him at defense if I were Winnipeg. I think he did some of his best work on the blue line. Yes, he made some mistakes, but I think @Podein25 was right about that. It happens when he's trying to be Superman. I think he needs to rein that in a bit, and he certainly needs to cut down on some of the brain cramp penalties that will eventually hurt someone and get suspended, but he brings a lot of heart to the team. I don't think Winterpeg can afford to trade him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I'd keep him at defense if I were Winnipeg. I think he did some of his best work on the blue line. Yes, he made some mistakes, but I think @Podein25 was right about that. It happens when he's trying to be Superman. I think he needs to rein that in a bit, and he certainly needs to cut down on some of the brain cramp penalties that will eventually hurt someone and get suspended, but he brings a lot of heart to the team. I don't think Winterpeg can afford to trade him. That's a different question. Eventually they can, assuming guys like Morrissey develop on time. If guys like that emerge as ready this season they could trade him for sure. But you don't really replace a guy like Buff. He's pretty much one of a kind. And I say that as a guy who has been critical of him (not so much here, but locally). And special player = special price. A top 6 forward and a 1st, plus... People who watched the Jets - Ducks match know that Buff was responsible for huge game-changing mistakes. He looked lost at times playing D. I'm sure it was humbling for him. He knows he still has to work at being a good D-man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottM Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 That's a different question. Eventually they can, assuming guys like Morrissey develop on time. If guys like that emerge as ready this season they could trade him for sure. But you don't really replace a guy like Buff. He's pretty much one of a kind. And I say that as a guy who has been critical of him (not so much here, but locally). And special player = special price. A top 6 forward and a 1st, plus... People who watched the Jets - Ducks match know that Buff was responsible for huge game-changing mistakes. He looked lost at times playing D. I'm sure it was humbling for him. He knows he still has to work at being a good D-man. Eventually, they can trade him, sure, but not right now if they want to win. I have been kind of critical of him on here. I've even said I think he's something of a dirty player, but you nailed it when you said you don't really replace a guy like him. If there's anyone who will work to overcome his faults at the position, it's him. He can be criticized for a lot of things, but his willingness to work hard isn't one of them. I don't really think we'll see a flawless blueliner next year, but I think we'll see one who has greatly improved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatrik98 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 One way or another you got to keep him. He is always productive on the ice and the Jets can use the big size. Unless you are going to come out way ahead on a trade for him, he needs to stay. His the blood and guts of the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun260z Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Trade him and trade him while the phone is ringing.... The Jets are 700 without him, 600 with him in the lineup on forward and 500 with him on d....do the math. Oh his flashy, oh he's big and oh how I've heard how Jets fans like him but I can tell you what Jets fans will like even more...Winning and winning with structure. He's a selfish flashy player who costs more than he gains. The results don't lie. If the rumors are true about Boston...get er done. However I see Eric Staal leaving Carolina and if they Jets really want to get anything done they're gonna need a journeymen center to show the rest how to win. They've got the money and they're close to TBay....I'd LOVE to see a move with these two involved but I am not holding my breath. Trade him now is my vote. Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Trade him and trade him while the phone is ringing.... The Jets are 700 without him, 600 with him in the lineup on forward and 500 with him on d....do the math. Oh his flashy, oh he's big and oh how I've heard how Jets fans like him but I can tell you what Jets fans will like even more...Winning and winning with structure. He's a selfish flashy player who costs more than he gains. The results don't lie. If the rumors are true about Boston...get er done. However I see Eric Staal leaving Carolina and if they Jets really want to get anything done they're gonna need a journeymen center to show the rest how to win. They've got the money and they're close to TBay....I'd LOVE to see a move with these two involved but I am not holding my breath. Trade him now is my vote. Z Welcome, and nice first post. Lecavalier is avaiable, but I'm not sure I'd really want the big guy on the Flyers either. I'd really be surprised to see E. Staal leave Carolina though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun260z Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Welcome, and nice first post. Lecavalier is avaiable, but I'm not sure I'd really want the big guy on the Flyers either. I'd really be surprised to see E. Staal leave Carolina though. I am convinced Staal is leaving. And if available Winnpeg should be doing everything they can to land him. He also has a history with Maurice. It makes too much sense....at least to me which doesn't mean much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenagemutantninjahertl Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I would keep him. He is much more valuable to the Jets on the team. Pay him what he wants. He's a better defenseman than he gets credit for, and I would keep him on the blueline. Trading Byfuglien would result in not making the playoffs, and maybe trade him at the deadline if the team is out of the playoff picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FD19372 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Sell Big Buff now. His value will never be higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unleashed Fury Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I say let him play without any talks of a future contract than at the All Star break offer him a final contract offer and Winnipeg should make it the best offer they can for what they think Buff is worth. If he turns it down then let him play out the season and enter free agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenagemutantninjahertl Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I say let him play without any talks of a future contract than at the All Star break offer him a final contract offer and Winnipeg should make it the best offer they can for what they think Buff is worth. If he turns it down then let him play out the season and enter free agency.Also, if the team looks like they don't have a shot at the playoffs around that time, I expect the Jets to start poking around at options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unleashed Fury Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Also, if the team looks like they don't have a shot at the playoffs around that time, I expect the Jets to start poking around at options.I expect them to be in the hunt for the playoffs. What does everyone think the Jets could get for Buff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun260z Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 I expect them to be in the hunt for the playoffs. What does everyone think the Jets could get for Buff?They should be focused on picks and prospects, the d core is solid. The proved last year they can play without him and win at a higher percentage. Unless something serious was tabled like a 30 year old 1st line center I see no value in farting around with some other teams castoffs. Pics and prospects, period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenagemutantninjahertl Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Probably a third line player and some picks and prospects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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