Byfuglien turns and delivers for Chicago

PHILADELPHIA , Pa – Throughout his career Dustin Byfuglien has been turning. Turning from defense to forward, back to defense and then back to forward. However the only thing turning now is the Philadelphia Flyers stomachs as they watched Byfuglien score the loudest four points in Stanley Cup history in a 7-4 Game Five win.
 
Nearly silent on the offensive scoresheet with a lone assist through the first four games and with barely a bump physically Byfuglien was in part the reason why the series was knotted at two aside. All that changed in Game Five when Byfuglien broke loose for two goals, two assists and had nine hits, including a thunderous check on Chris Pronger which will surely be seen in NHL highlight reels for seasons to come.
 
With the porous goaltending seen in this series it’s impossible to say anything is over, but at the very least the lasting memory of Game Five will be Byfuglien’s physical play—and oh yeah—his four points. The ‘Hawks bruising forward helped turned each of the Flyers into modern versions of Tantalus as each time the Flyers got close the Blackhawks preserved their lead with yet another goal.
 
It wasn’t always this way for Byfuglien. At the time he was drafted he was more of a cruel tongue-twister for Blackhawks beat writers than a prospect. Selected with the 245^th overall pick in the 2003 Entry Draft the Blackhawks tabbed the powerful winger/defender after they selected luminaries such as Alexei Ivanov, Johan Andersson and Mike Brodeur before him and guys like Michael Grenzy and Chris Porter after him. Drawing a blank? You can be forgiven as those five players have combined to play nine NHL games since selection day.
 
Yet there was something there with the large-boned youngster from Minnesota and the Blackhawks are reaping the benefits of their patience. The club let Byfuglien season with the Prince George Cougars (WHL). In a 2003 article by Dave Waite, Waite quotes an “NHL Eastern Conference scout” stating, “he’s (Byfuglien) really skilled but he needs to get in shape. He’s carrying too much weight… I don’t know what he weighs now, 250, 270, but he needs to get it down.”
 
Waite also spoke to Byfuglien’s coach in Prince George, Ed Dempsey. Dempsey intimated the same feelings as the scout. “He’s got a lot of natural ability,” said Dempsey. “He needs to find a way to commit himself to being an everyday hockey player. He has a huge upside…nice hands, tremendous shot, great passer and he’s a good man. But he has to approach the game in a more professional manner. If he does that, he’ll have a chance to make it.”
 
After many skating camps and two seasons apiece in the WHL and the AHL, although still listed at 257, Byfuglien has indeed “made it”. Despite a trip or two back to the blueline Byfuglien has scored no less than 15 goals during his three full NHL seasons and has 10 goals in the playoffs to date.
 
Although there are potentially two more Stanley Cup games this season it could be a single game which sends the Blackhawks to their first Cup win since 1961. It says here if the ‘Hawks do go on to win, their one-time enigma and late round afterthought will be a crucial component in their well-deserved victory.
 
Contact Tom.Schettino@prohockeynews.com