Dustin Byfuglien's Potential Splits Blackhawk Fans

After the Chicago Blackhawks loss to the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night I noticed that there was quite a divide among Blackhawks fans on the message boards about forward Dustin Byfuglien.

Does he still deserve to be on a line with Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg? Does he need to be benched or even traded? I'm not sure that I have the answers, but I will try to provide you with both sides of the argument and you can decide for yourself what needs to be done with him.

Dustin Byfuglien was an eighth round draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003, and was originally drafted as a hard hitting defenseman with a booming shot from the point. However, since joining the Blackhawks roster, that has changed.

What has really changed is his position happened last season when he was converted from defensemen to forward and netted 36 points in 67 games with the Blackhawks. After such a break out season for Big Buff, he was rewarded with a contract extension for three years for three million dollars a season.

Even at the time that Byfuglien received the extension, many 'Hawks fans believed that it was too early for him to earn that type of money while others were happy to have a "top six" forward for such a low cost.

During the pre-season, Byfuglien looked great and well worth the money he received in the off-season, but the love for Byfuglien would be short lived as he struggled during the first two months of the season recording only six points in his first 19 games.

At this time, there were many rumors swirling about a Byfuglien/Sopel trade to the Capitals for center Michael Nylander, yet they were merely rumors. December would prove to be a much better month for Byfuglien as he potted 10 points in 12 games.

Now in January, Byfuglien has seemed to hit the skids once again with three points in 11 games and has missed many big scoring opportunities, including two open nets in the St. Louis game on Wednesday.

Now in January, the fan grumbling has once again begun.

The biggest complaint from 'Hawks fans are his poor skating ability and his hands. He at times is unable to keep up with the likes of Versteeg and Toews and cannot handle passes that most top six forwards would be able to.

So is Big Buff a top six forward this season?

My answer would be no, because he does not possess the speed and hands that are needed to be an effective top six forward. Right now it just isn't there.

Could he someday be in the 'Hawks top six?

Sure, but he has a lot that he needs to improve on, especially his hands. Watching him whiff on two golden opportunities Wednesday was difficult.

So if he isn't a top six forward, should the 'Hawks shop him while his stock is high?

I would prefer that Tallon and Quenneville give Byfuglien more than a season at forward to show that he is a legitimate forward. Nonetheless, if a long term solution for a N.2 center is put on the table and Byfuglien is included, then I would think that Tallon would at least need to listen.

Yes, Byfuglien has struggled in his sophomore season, but only time will really tell if he will be a top forward for the 'Hawks in the future. I do not have the answers, but I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on Byfuglien's future with the Blackhawks.