With Jets healthy, Byfgulien isn't eager to return to forward
Winnipeg Jets behemoth Dustin Byfuglien is one of hockey's most unique players.
Skilled enough to play anywhere in the lineup, the star swingman has bounced around between playing on the wing and defense over the past couple of seasons.
Recently, Byfuglien moved back to his natural blue line spot when the Jets sustained a cacophony of injuries. His form has been incredible - he's a legitimate apex predator when patrolling the blue line. His play as a defender was crucial in helping the Jets to stay afloat - and then some - in the loaded Western Conference.
Addressing media in Columbus ahead of the 2015 All-Star fantasy draft on Friday, Byfuglien made his preference clear: he wants to stay on the blue line.
Byfuglien: ''I can't see myself going back to forward. I hope not.''
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 23, 2015
theScore's Justin Bourne made his opinion clear this past September: Byfuglien is a natural defenseman and that's where he should slot into the lineup.
For the Jets, that poses something of a personnel issue, since the club already employs capable top-four right-side defenders like Zach Bogosian and Jacob Trouba. Roster construction issues aside though, Byfuglien's impact on Winnipeg's puck possession game as a defender when compared with his impact as a forward makes this decision something of a slam dunk.
In terms of allocating resources, moving Byfuglien back to forward at this point is roughly as efficient as placing an NHL team in Atlanta.