The Thrashers signed defenseman and points leader Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year, $26 million extension. Byfuglien would have been a restricted free agent at the end of the season and now he’ll make an average annual salary of $5.2 million, up from his $3 million salary this season. Not bad for the 25 year old native of Minneapolis!“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.”
“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.”
Now the Thrashers have some good pieces in place for a long run, that is if they stay in the city. There is also news this week that they Atlanta Spirit Group are looking for more investors to jump on their slowly sinking ship. One of the members of the group said if they don’t find help soon, the team could be moved. I sure hope that doesn’t happen!
Anyway, with Big Buff signed for the long term, now the team can concentrate on making the playoffs again!
Go Thrashers!
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