What happened to Dustin Byfuglien?

[Cory Kennedy]

Dustin Byfuglien was at 1 point one of the best Defensemen in the National Hockey League. His freak size and strong physical play helped him become a good shut down defensemen and a scary person to play against. So much that he helped the 2010 blackhawks capture their first Stanley Cup in 48 years. He was a great lethal asset for the Winnipeg Jets but just last year his contract was terminated and ever since then hes been an unrestricted free agent. He hasn't signed with a team or played a single NHL Game since. So this begs the question, whats happened to big buff?

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

He probably doesn't want to play any more. It's not like he pulled a Paul Ranger and left early. He was in his mid-30s.

 

[GreatSaveEssensa]

He made his money, is set for life and is out on a lake somewhere fishing. I cant say I blame him.

 

[MardyBum]

Happier to be having some beers, hang out with his kids and go fishing, he's made a ton of money and he's never been a "I can't live without hockey" kind of guy.

 

[Chan790]

I'm pretty sure he retired while he was young enough to pursue his favorite outdoorsman hobbies.

He told Winnipeg he'd lost the desire to play hockey and he apparently told his agent to not have contract talks when the Wild reached out intending to sign him. He has no desire to return to the NHL.

In any case, he made his money and walked away from the sport. Nothing I've heard or read suggests he has any regrets about it.

 

[Killer Orca]

Dustin Byfuglien was at 1 point one of the best Defensemen in the National Hockey League. His freak size and strong physical play helped him become a good shut down defensemen and a scary person to play against. So much that he helped the 2010 blackhawks capture their first Stanley Cup in 48 years. He was a great lethal asset for the Winnipeg Jets but just last year his contract was terminated and ever since then hes been an unrestricted free agent. He hasn't signed with a team or played a single NHL Game since. So this begs the question, whats happened to big buff?

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't remember him as a shutdown D-man. He was an offensive guy from what I recall and pretty sure played forward for the Hawks's first Cup win in 48 years. He was a scary dude to play against for sure but I don't think he just had the will to play anymore. Like said above he made his money got his Cup and is enjoying life now.

 

[The Nuge]

He supposedly doesn’t even like hockey, and walked away at 34 with nearly 60 million dollars. There’s not really any question of “what happened?” with him

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Homie lived the dream, made bank, and had enough, Losing weight can be difficult.

 

[Esq]

Dustin Byfuglien was at 1 point one of the best Defensemen in the National Hockey League. His freak size and strong physical play helped him become a good shut down defensemen and a scary person to play against. So much that he helped the 2010 blackhawks capture their first Stanley Cup in 48 years. He was a great lethal asset for the Winnipeg Jets but just last year his contract was terminated and ever since then hes been an unrestricted free agent. He hasn't signed with a team or played a single NHL Game since. So this begs the question, whats happened to big buff?

He was scary, but no shutdown guy.

The correct answer: he liked fishing better than hockey.

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

 

[Saitama]

Miss him on the Jets but happy that he's probably enjoying a well-earned retirement on a lake somewhere.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

He got pretty old (by hockey standards) and jaded with the game.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

No real mystery. He had some lingering injuries and lost his desire to play. It's not like he was a cast-off. There would have been plenty of teams lined up to retain his services.

 

[jetsforever]

Won a Cup, was a star, made millions, and then stepped away when his body started to get old
It's sad to lose him but understandable.

 

[StreetHawk]

He probably doesn't want to play any more. It's not like he pulled a Paul Ranger and left early. He was in his mid-30s.

Buff was actually part of the 2003 draft class. So he would turn 36 this year. The fact that he opted to not play when he was 34, if he had lingering pain or discomfort is his choice to make.

guys from his draft class are calling it a career. Backes is this season. Matter of time before some other notable names like Carter, Perry, Staal, Getzlaf, Parise, etc do as well.

 

[Cup Or Bust]

He probably just lost the motivation to keep playing. He made a lot of money, had a good career. Maybe he joined Dustin Penner for a pancake breakfast and said screw it, this is the life for me.

 

[Bertuzzipunch]

Ahhh so thats what happened i was asking a few friends the other day wat happened to him.

 

[Duke749]

Lost the desire. The last ankle injury may have been a bit of a concern. Guy played hard for someone who would likely rather be fishing.

 

[North Cole]

View attachment 433585

*pause*
"You might be wondering how I got here"

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Dustin Byfuglien was at 1 point one of the best Defensemen in the National Hockey League.

When was this again?

 

[majormajor]

Every offseason he would spend fishing and somehow balloon up fifty pounds, before having to scramble to get in shape and rehab his various injuries so he could be ready to play again in the Fall. And then in his last summer he didn't want to make the comeback. His ankle issue might have been especially painful. He still would have been a great player even with the injury, the Jets are much worse without him, but he didn't want to play.

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

*pause*
"You might be wondering how I got here"

Record scratch
Freeze frame
Fade to black
Establishment shot with location and date.

That’s lunch, people!

 

[lebdafor norris]

He was scary, but no shutdown guy.

The correct answer: he liked fishing better than hockey.

5 vs 5 GA/60 (2017-2019)
Dustin Buff 2.06
Trouba 2.73

Being a fan of an Eastern team, I have this perception that Buff is more of a physical, offensive Dman but whenever I go take a look at the Jets player stats, I'm always reminded at how much better Buff was at keeping the puck out of his net compare to Trouba, so is this just a case of Trouba getting much, much tougher defensive assignments?

 

[sr edler]

He was an offensive guy from what I recall and pretty sure played forward for the Hawks's first Cup win in 48 years.

Yes, he was a forward that run, and scored a team leading 11 goals. He was also used as a crease guy in front of Luongo, Tomas Holmström style, with his big butt screening an awful lot of sight.

 

[majormajor]

When was this again?

Like as recently as three years ago. Just to give you a glimpse, he scored 24 pts in his last 23 playoff games, at age 33 and 34. Outstanding advanced stats too, FWIW.

Buff was in the top 15 for Norris votes six times.