Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - December 10th, 2010

By 250 Sports

In the spring he was the ultimate power forward playing a key role in helping the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. Now, just a few months later, ex Prince George Cougar, Dustin Byfuglien, has evolved into the top defenceman in the NHL. Alright, maybe he doesn’t quite have Nicklas Lidstrom’s resume, but he has become elite in a short period of time.  

New Atlanta Thrashers coach Craig Ramsey made a bold and controversial move after Byfuglien was acquired from the Hawks in an off-season trade, moving “Big Buff” back to defense. Ramsey
decided to use the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder back on the blue line (where he played part of the regular season with Chicago and junior in P.G.) despite being a huge force as a winger with the Hawks in their run to the championship, on their top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

In an interview with NHL.com, Ramsey said "Certainly, you watch some of that enthusiasm (from the playoffs) and you hope it transcends. I watched him handle the puck. I didn't realize he could be that good -- but I saw him handle the puck and shoot it, so I knew of that. But when you're trying to make a forward into a defenseman – even if he has been a defenseman – it's a very difficult process.”

The Thrashers have completed one third of their season, and there have been times that Byfuglien, Atlanta’s leading scorer, has carried the Thrashers on his shoulders, leading them to eight wins in their last nine games, including a franchise best six game win streak.
 
Yes, individual recognition and attention has certainly come his way. He was named NHL second star of the week (from Nov 22-28) with six points in three games. Byfuglien was also chosen the third star for the month of November (behind Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Montreal’s Carey Price) leading all defenceman with 6 goals and 11 assists in 14 games to go along with a plus 9 rating.

The likeable 25-year old native of Minnesota tops all rearguards with 10 goals and 29 points, many of which have come on the power-play. With a plus-five rating, he is tied for third on the team in that category. In addition, “Buff”, never shy to take a blast from the point, leads the Thrashers in shots taken. And just like his impressive performance in the 2010 playoffs, he scores big timely goals. In fact, his five game winners are best in the league (two shy of a league record for defenceman) with two of them coming in overtime.

With a big body, big hands, and a big shot he was born with a huge advantage over most other players. Physically, he does not shy away from being an agitator as he is second on the team in penalty minutes
with 33. Byfuglien’s maturity and leadership abilities have grown leaps and bounds since his days in Prince George as he is wearing an “A” on his jersey with Atlanta.

The Blackhawks lost 10 players from their Stanley Cup team, none with more impact than the departure of Byfuglien. Chicago’s record has slid considerably this season while Atlanta’s has been on the rise as the Thrashers are currently in a playoff position. The common denominator is Byfuglien, and that is no co-incidence.

From the Quote Rack:  

NFL stadiums are rougher than sandpaper thongs lately. These days, NFL fans make NHL fans look like Miss Manners. They're often buy-a-vowel drunk, spewing cuss words and looking to fight.
And the men are sometimes worse.
Rick Reilly of ESPN.com.

Baltimore offensive tackle Michael Oher was fined $5,000 for violating the league's social media policy by tweeting during the team's win over Tampa Bay. Roger Goodell immediately received a text from Sandra Bullock that said, 'You threaten my son, you threaten me'.

A Japan space probe has overshot Venus and is heading towards the sun.Well, so much for JaMarcus Russell's career as an aerospace engineer.

Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

The Denver Broncos were fined after a staffer secretly filmed the 49ers' offence in practice. Spying on the Niners? Isn't that like peeking through the keyhole in Betty White's hotel room?
A 77-year-old Spanish woman recently became the world's oldest professional parachute jumper, completing her 903rd jump. She's the most talked about diver of late this side of the Bruin's Marc Savard.
www.Sportsdeke.com

 
Jim Furyk was voted PGA Player of the Year. Out of habit, Elin Nordegren began beating his car with a three wood.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

Glad to see Tiger Woods doing well again despite mental health experts who think Tiger may suffer from a rare form of sex addiction that causes men who are rich and powerful to act out. Most women say it’s just par for the course.

Edmonton Eskimos DE Adam Braidwood was charged with unlawful confinement after it was alleged he kept a man in the trunk of his car. The incident is unusual as it is one of the rare times a defensive lineman gets charged with holding.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats mascot was ejected from the game between the Bearcats and Pittsburgh, for throwing snowballs at fans in the stands. On a brighter note, since he hit his targets, he was immediately then offered a tryout with the Bengals.

Jamie Moyer, 48, just had Tommy John surgery but will attempt a comeback in 2012. Even Brett Favre is saying “Dude, give it up already.”
Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

And in case you missed it: 

Shaw cable, after originally announcing that their holiday fireplace channel was going to move to pay-per-view, have relented, and it will remain free as part of the basic package.
Not a moment too soon, either, as the fire log just trounced Skating With The Stars and the American Music Awards in the latest TV ratings.
Vancouver comedy writer Torben Rolfsen

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.

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