Dustin Byfuglien's Days Numbered In Chicago?

With Dustin Byfuglien's recent scratches from the Chicago Blackhawks it has brought up an increasing number of trade rumors and in my opinion, rumors that make some bit of sense. Let me explain before I am mauled by a every 'Hawks writer on this site.

During Thursday's morning skate in Dallas, Byfuglien stepped onto the ice, but shortly after that he left the ice. Coach Joel Quenneville called Byfuglien's early departure from the ice an upper body injury, but the timing was suspicious given the recent Michael Nylander trade rumors in which Byfuglien's name was mentioned, along with Brent Sopel.

Byfuglien burst onto the hockey scene last season when he scored 19 goals and 17 assist in 67 games in which he split between forward and defense. This season, however, Byfuglien has struggled with only two goals and four assists in his first 17 games, but still has plenty of upside as a NHL power forward.

Many 'Hawks fans were surprised to hear Byfuglien's name mentioned in any Nylander trade rumors, but to an extent it makes plenty of sense. In order to acquire a player that the 'Hawks need they need to give up some value in return and that value is Byfuglien. He has a bright future in this league as a power forward, but in the 'Hawks organization there are players that can take his place such as Jack Skille, Troy Brouwer (who is ahead of him on the depth chart), Bryan Bickell, and eventually Kyle Beach and Akim Aliu. 

But the reason that this deal makes the most sense is because if Byfuglien and Sopel were to be traded for Nylander straight up then Nikolia Khabibulin would not have to be dealt to bring in a Nylander or any other center. Let me do the numbers for you.

According to nhlnumbers.com these are the cap hits of the three players involved in the proposed deal between Washington and Chicago (Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, and Michael Nylander). On the 'Hawks side of the deal the cap hits that would be headed out would be Dustin Byfuglien ($3 Million) and Brent Sopel ($2.33 Million), which totals to a $5.33 Million headed out.

On the Capitals side of the deal Michael Nylander's cap hit headed out would $4.875 Million. When you look at the number the deal does not work out financially for the Capitals because this deal would put them $153,000 over the cap.

The only way to solve this financial discrepancy would be to add another player from the Capitals roster, the most likely candidate would be David Steckel who is the Captials fourth line center. Steckel makes $500,000 and would put the Captials back under the cap and allow for them to add a talented young player and good puck moving defenseman. 

What this deal really accomplishes for the 'Hawks is that they are able to keep Nikolai Khabibulin who has seemed to have solidified himself as the 'Hawks starting goaltender. Cristobal Huet's inconsistency has lead to the 'Hawks to explore trade options that do not involve Khabibulin.

I do not want everyone to think that I want to see Dustin Byfuglien traded away, but this trade proposal provides the least amount of downsides for the 'Hawks. They acquire a second line center and do not part with their hot goalie. I think Byfuglien could be a great power forward in this league, but if the 'Hawks feel they need a second line center then this might be their best and only option.