The Thrashers signed defenseman and points leader Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year, $26 million extension Tuesday, validating his breakout year and first All-Star appearance.
Byfuglien would have been a restricted free agent at the end of the season, along with team captain Andrew Ladd. He’ll make an average annual salary of $5.2 million, up from his $3 million salary this season.
For a franchise that has watched stars such as Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa depart in recent years, it’s a step in the right direction.
“Dustin has become one of, if not the most, notable faces of the franchise,” Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said. “He’s been a brilliant player since he arrived, and he’s got a personality to go along with it, so people gravitate to Buff. It’s a very important day for us.”
The 25-year-old native of Minneapolis is in his first season with the Thrashers since coming in a trade from the Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks in June.
He converted from forward where he scored 17 goals last season for Chicago and added 11 more in 22 playoff games, including five game-winners. His role has changed with the Thrashers, but his scoring impact hasn’t. Byfuglien leads the Thrashers with 43 points and is second in goals with 17.
Along the way, the Thrashers have made enough on an impression on him as well to make him want to commit long-term.
“There are a lot of good things that are going to happen here,” Byfuglien said. “I’m excited to be here and be a part of everything that’s going to happen. It’s fun to be in an organization that builds from the bottom up.”
Byfuglien was asked if he entered negotiations with concerns over the possibility that the team might be sold and relocated.
“It obviously is talked about,” he said. “I don’t have control over it. ... It comes into play, but I’m not really worried about it because we put a winning organization together, we’ll stay.”
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