There may not have been two guys that were more difficult to let go of for the Blackhawks and their fans in the summer of 2010 than Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien.
We all know the story, so let’s not relive it. While not all of the players let go during that summer, as a result of Dale Tallon‘s free spending ways, were integral to team success moving forward, a case could certainly be made for the likes of Ladd and Byfuglien.
If there’s a player that the Blackhawks could use from that team in their current lineup, it’s Ladd. Since being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers and now Winnipeg Jets, Ladd has thrived.
After a stellar postseason for the Hawks in 2010, Ladd arrived to a lowly Atlanta squad and provided at least a little excitement. His 59 points were a career high and he was named captain of the Thrashers, which has carried over to the franchise’s first year in Winnipeg.
As Tab Bamford over at Committed Indians describes, Ladd is the “one that got away“. The size and speed he brings as a left wing is an element that could do wonders for these current Blackhawks. But on his new five-year deal with Winnipeg, he is a large part of a small core group that the Jets are hoping to build on moving forward.
While Ladd was quietly great for the Hawks down the stretch in that Stanley Cup run, Dustin Byfuglien took center stage for much of it, none bigger than the Hawks’ second round matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.
The converted defenseman moved up from his third line role with the Hawks, seeing time up in the top six. Buff planted himself right in front of opposing goaltenders, as Roberto Luongo very well knows, which proved to be a tremendous element for the Blackhawks’ offense in the postseason.
After being dealt to the Thrashers that summer, Byfuglien returned to his original role as a defenseman. Considered a Norris candidate early, Buff’s tendency to jump into the offensive play killed the Thrashers on defense and his production faded towards the end of the season. There was also that drunken boating scandal that took place last month, just before training camp.
Nonetheless, the two have found great success with their new clubs since leaving the Blackhawks. As tough as it was to see them leave, Ladd especially, they are key elements in a rebuilding process in Winnipeg, and both should see a solid reception from the Chicago faithful on Thursday, when the Jets visit the United Center.
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