How The Ilya Kovalchuk Trade Allowed The Winnipeg/Atlanta Franchise To Acquire Dustin Byfuglien

Steve Dangle takes a look back at one of the biggest trades in New Jersey Devils history, the moment they acquired superstar forward Ilya Kovalchuk from the Atlanta Thrashers. Then, Steve breaks down how this trade directly resulted in the Thrashers/Jets franchise acquiring Dustin Byfuglien.
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[@gretzky6614]

Dustin Byfuglien was the underrated star of the 2010 playoffs

[@AvsJoe]

Oh Byfuglien wasn't underrated, not by a long shot. He along with Toews began to dominate the hockey conversation as those playoffs went along. Everyone knew the Conn Smythe was going to Toews but Byfuglien was the consensus runner-up in the public eye. Even today, his performance in those playoffs comes up whenever the 2010 Hawks are discussed. Byfuglien wasn't the underrated star, he was very much the correctly-rated star.

[@skinflaver]

He wasn't underrated. Maybe to you. But Chicago doesn't win that year without him.

[@connorearegood3680]

Jon Merrill's mom was my second grade teacher. He came into class and we got to touch one of his medals. Class act! Glad to see he's in one of these trade trees.

[@ShinyMew76]

That’s really cool!

[@robobi5840]

I was so sad when Ilya decided to leave NJ. A highlight was when my daughter left a game against the Rangers in the 3rd period. I had no idea where she went. Come to find out, she was waiting outside at the Devils vehicle entrance/exit. She was able to get Ilya's autograph on a puck for me. What a great kid!

[@ianstephenson9721]

I have his autograph as well. My dad was (and still is) a sportswriter, and he was assigned to a Devils practice one day. He brought my brother and I along because our school (and house) had no power after a bad storm, and after practice, David Clarkson brought us hats signed by Kovalchuk, Parise, and Marty. I'm an Islanders fan, but that was still really cool, even more now that Parise is an Islander.

[@nickheaton6536]

As an Atlanta hockey fan, it just feels nice to be mentioned in a video

[@truehockeyfan1179]

I know right

[@keithchristiansen8542]

I miss kovy and blueland dearly. I remember being at a game where they were down 3-0 in the first 5 mins or period 1. against Calgary, and kovy gets a hat trick throughout the next 3 periods and and Atlanta comes back to win 5-3, good memories.

[@chrisammann9]

Can we take a look at Bobby Lou going from the Islanders to the Panthers and how it led to the Rat landing in Boston? Edit: thanks for top comment all, hopefully it happens 🤞🏻

[@reitzik]

oh baby i can already see dangle stiring this one up

[@2011SoxMD36]

I always forget Luongo was an Islander... but how does it impact Brad Marchand!?

[@thebosniangaming4425]

@@2011SoxMD36 we'll see

[@Windyyyyyyyyy]

Thanks milbury, I hate you!

[@qarhippa]

@@2011SoxMD36 it's an interesting one, but as much as everyone wants to make fun of Milbury it was actually Garth Snow was in helm back then. So one of the players that the Isles got back in that Luongo/Jokinen abomination of a trade (which most certainly is a Milbury classic), Oleg Kvasha, was traded for a 2006 3rd rounder, which the Isles chose to pass on and traded it to Boston for a 4th and a 5th in that same draft. Well then, turns out that 3rd rounder they went all "eh, I guess Boston can have it" was used on Brad Marchand while the picks the Isles got (they traded the 4th for a later 4th and 6th) combined for one NHL game in total. Isles fans probably really don't wanna see that trade tree. But I guess that particular Marchand deal speaks more for how well the Bruins scouts had done their job than how poorly the Isles had done theirs because obviously Marchand wasn't all that highly touted back then but the Bruins liked him so much they would trade up to get him.

[@BrentNielsen61]

So big thing you need to look at that you forgot is kovy in shootout. He had so many goals that were most likely game winners. Check it, it's crazy

[@BrentNielsen61]

I know you hate it, but it's part of game Steve

[@kradz3667]

I hate the shootout but Kovy was God for the Devils (see, God/Devil...witty?) in the shootout. He still has one of the best shots I've ever seen in hockey.

[@Devils1917]

That 2010-2011 Devils Season was a rollercoaster of Emotions.

[@XSpamDragonX]

JC Lipon and Patrice Cormier were fan favourites on the Moose and JC Lipon is still considered the heart of the team. They may not have a direct impact on the NHL, but they had an undeniable benefit on the Jets incredibly successful farm system.

[@bghlee]

Its sad then that they weren't given a chance to come up to the big show. Especially guys that had success at the WJC level.

[@XSpamDragonX]

@@bghlee Both had a number of preseason appearances, but they never succeeded at the NHL level. Most of these guys aren't even major scorers in the AHL, but they provide more than points to the team.

[@fluffy4244]

Did anybody notice the small trade from Montreal to Montreal?

[@kevensoucy9354]

And both of these prospects never signed in Montréal 😂

[@Alex-vc1ry]

Nice to see the Thrashers getting a mention

[@emotionallyinvestful]

Ah yes, the rare video where I can quietly mourn my beloved Atlanta Thrashers 😔

[@chucku1001]

its okay, the atlanta thashers are playing the atlanta flames in the play in round.

[@emotionallyinvestful]

@@chucku1001 It's funny, when I got really into hockey it was 2 years after the Thrashers had left and I ended up choosing Calgary as one of the teams I follow and not Winnipeg.

[@truehockeyfan1179]

I’m so sorry we need a third team in Atlanta

[@emotionallyinvestful]

@@truehockeyfan1179 While it would make me very happy to have one I doubt the NHL will try it again. The fan support was there for the most part but ownership was just awful and I doubt they want to attempt it a third time, especially when we already have the Hawks and Falcons struggling like they are. Atlanta United is the only bright spot in our sports landscape. I don't count the Braves because even though they're decent, they don't have ownership issues like other teams have had.

[@Alex-vc1ry]

Believe In Blueland

[@CmMn1411]

Kovy what a legend

[@kradz3667]

Devils fan here. First off, awesome videos. I loved the trade when it was made. Kovy has always been one of my favorite players since he entered the league. He had that "eh" year with the Devils but when he was on the ice everyone took notice. That Cup run was magical and it would have been interesting to see how the Devils would have been if Parise and Kovalchuk didn't "go home". Granted, Kovalchuk retiring was a blessing for the Devils cap wise. And now we get to watch him and Ovechkin play together and while Kovalchuk isn't what he used to be it's still pretty cool.

[@MrNRib]

Thank you for doing this! I requested this in a previous video's comments section!

[@shoeboxbistro]

Bless your heart for this content, I need this in my life rn. Miss hockey, and I miss the weekly dang it's on new content. Loving the historical dang-its though.

[@icingonthepuck4913]

Yay! Thanks I've been asking for this one!!

[@callumgarforth7835]

What about a slightly different video going over Vegas expansion draft?

[@Nicholson030]

these vids are the best thing going these days on sportsnet, keep it up

[@joshake2434]

Love these videos. This was a great one. Always wished there was more success in Atlanta. I’m glad Winnipeg has a team again tho.

[@njtbfl03]

Amazing, I love the trade trees!!!

[@dgnr877]

It wasn't mentioned who Chicago drafted with the 2010 first and second round picks that Chicago received in the Byfuglien deal. Did some research and Chicago' first rounder was Kevin Hayes. Chicago had 4 second round picks. In order: 35 Ludvig Rensfeldt, 54 Justin Holl, 58 Kent Simpson and 60 Stephen Johns. I don't know which one was the NJ pick but that's the best I can do :)

[@THEgenART]

These are brilliant. Unreal.

[@jrgodin4884]

Interesting analysis as always.....

[@Cohdiboi]

Atlanta resident here who was legitimately a fan of the Thrashers (yes we exist). This video hurt. The Thrashers front office was hell bent on making sure that team never succeeded.

[@ryanjones7577]

I’m a Devils fan, I didnt like the Kovy deal after he left us. What makes things worse is the 1st and 2nd that Atlanta traded for Buff turned into Kevin Hayes (1st Rounder) and Justin Holl (2nd Rounder). 2 players that we could have really used on today’s roster. Yikes

[@estellegrignon]

If it can make you feel better, both players decided to play college hockey after being drafted. After that, Hayes became a free agent and signed with the Rangers, and Hill eventually signed with the Leafs. None of them played a single game for Chicago 🙃 The Hawks did get a compensation draft pick for Hayes leaving, but they used it to draft a guy who doesn't even have a Wikipedia page.

[@Misterkoots]

"We all sat in our very wrong wrongness." CLASSIC! This is what keeps me coming back.

[@dicloniusgames]

Can we see the Zdeno Chara trade that saw him go to both Ottawa and then Boston? Here's a sub. You break down these trades so well.

[@karanbrar2058]

Idk seems like the devils did as good as they could have. If my memory serves me right they had a really aging group and their window had basically closed as he left to russia. He kinda just forced them into a rebuild in a more timely manner tbh. You could say they could have traded him and got more pieces for it but with that contract I'd assume slim pickings.

[@yxzyzzyx434]

problem is, Lou doesn't rebuild. So they were trying to win cups while missing they playoffs until they got annoyed with Lou sucking at making the team good so they hiring Shero who made the team good at rebuilding and then they firing Shero after sucking in 19-20 and now they have Fitzgerald who has so far been good at rebuilding. So they only starting rebuilding in 15-16

[@daftpunked4800]

Hey! Would be cool if you also put up the stats next to each player , with each team! keep up the good work! Steve finally stopped complaining and they are much better now!

[@quack10]

This is Genius.....Thank you!

[@azisles02]

7:03 "Picked him up and threw him around like he was Loki" I had to pause right there because I was laughing so hard. Puny God!

[@MrWillc1975]

If you haven't done this already , I'd like for you to do the Canadiens trade with the California Golden Seals for the rights to the # 1 pick which was Guy Lafluer . Also The Flyers trading of an Doug Favell to the Maple Leafs for Bernie Parent who was an original Flyer if I recall was traded to the Leafs and then he jumped to the WHA and ended up back in Philadelphia .

[@theseanie9958]

byfuglien came up with the blackhawks as a defenseman i believe. got moved to forward cuz there was no room for him on the back and they needed a solid body in front of the net. he bullied luongo haha

[@refverhoog]

That's exactly right. He was an upcoming defenseman, but with Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brent Sopel, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Nick Boynton and Brian Campbell there really wasn't a place to put Byfuglien. In the mean time the Hawks had skill at forward, but not a net-front presence. Not a guy who could make opposing defenders miserable. Enter Big Buff!

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

@@refverhoog It was also because he was a "No Defense" Defenseman so made sense to move him. The Brent Burns type but without the constant position switches.

[@-Witz-]

Any word on the Forsberg trade trees? Either one of them from the Flyers would be good ones

[@AAbram-yt9de]

Great job Sportsnet Team. How about the next one is the Shanahan - Stevens - Pronger situation that gave the St Louis Blues the 88th selection in the 2011 draft.

[@adammiesner8429]

Zach Sanford was also apart of a trade that sent Kevin Shattenkirk to Washington for Sanford and 2017 1st, which they traded to get Brayden Schenn

[@bishop529]

Is Kovalchuk the 1st and olny player to have been bought out twice, AND, to be the only player receiving buy-out payments simultaneously from 2 seperate teams? MAN!! What an effing hustle!!

[@estellegrignon]

Kovalchuk walked away from the contract: the Devils therefore didn't have to pay him a dime after he left as it was his decision. There is a rule in place where if a player retires in the middle of a contract, a team can get penalized, but at the time, Kovalchuk was too young for the rule to come into effect

[@CaptainBooch]

I love these videos. How long until that poor intern gets the graphics for the lindros trade finished?

[@AllKindsOfTrickshots]

Is it possible to quantify the trade tree with points/wins with the players involved in the trade, maybe you could definitively say someone won a trade

[@adamrasmussen9939]

It seems like my whole life, at least as long as I've been watching hockey, the NJ Devils have always been in search of goal scoring ability. Fromback in the late 90s with Holik, and Elias coming up, to Gomez and Gionta's time, to Kovalchuk, to Taylor Hall. Seems like their top scorers really struggled to hit 30 regularly, and when they did, the #2 guy was 10-plus goals behind. I was actually surprised when Dangle said they were 11th in scoring the one year they went deep w/Kovalchuk. Even when they won their cups, it feels like it was always off the back of Stevens/Rafalski/Niedermayer's defensive play and Brodeur's network, moreso than their offense just taking over

[@blueredlover1060]

When you have a goalie as dominant as Marty Brodeur in his prime, you don't need a ton of goal support. Don't get me wrong, you'd love to have it, but you had a brick wall back there. It's part of why I feel that the Lightning will be issues for years to come. You'd love some more goals, but you also have a hoss defending the net.

[@codyd6515]

I have determined, The internet needs a Steve Dangle for the NBA. Someone to put in all this hard work on NBA Trade Trees. Because the NBA is such a Cluster, that tracking trades is a chore in and of itself.

[@willwiegelman3953]

Do any of those crazy 3+ player with draft picks involved trades that Mike Milbury used to pull with the Islanders

[@BM_2002]

I'm just waiting for that loser who always criticizes Winnipeg in every Jets video

[@Awesometrax]

I might have an idea of who it is. And it might be a Winnipegger too which is just sad

[@BM_2002]

@@Awesometrax He's from Edmonton

[@FischerFan]

@@BM_2002 If it's the same person I've seen posting previously on TSN and now on the CBC, then I have a name to give you. He's a complete a-hole, self-righteous left-wing bleeding heart and, above all, a traitor! He's dead against the NHL being back in Winnipeg but, get this, he's all for an influx of teams in the sun belt no matter how much money they lose! He's always harping about the small size of the arena in Winnipeg; regardless of the fact the team makes money playing in it. If I ever meet him, I WILL tear him limb from limb! Can you give me the links to other videos where he has posted?

[@tiger5869]

What the Devils did with Kovalchuk's extension looks like it was after the trade, not during it. I think that the trade was good for the Thrashers/Jets anyways because they sold high on a player that wasn't going to stay with them much longer, but the Devils got Kovalchuk and signed him long term, so I think they got what they wanted out of the deal, it just didn't work out for them, so the value was limited to the playoff run for the most part.

[@idark_1265]

Does steve record in a hockey figure store?

[@jordancharles8892]

Can you do the Ralph backstrom trade?

[@elliotfelx9270]

Do Craig Rivet’s trade going to San Jose, very interesting

[@jamesramelli3710]

One recommendation: Put those stats on the screen for us visual thinkers!

[@quinlanb7193]

Also Johnny Oduya won a couple cups in a top 4 role with the hawks

[@Swoop187OG187]

Byfuglien was drafted as a defensman and was primarily a defenseman for the Hawks....The Hawks rarely used him as a forward except for the 2010 playoffs because they needed someone big in front of the net, and boy oh boy did he do a great job... If I can remember correctly I think he had 2 hat tricks in the 2010 playoffs - I know he had one against San Jose for sure...... TBH, I have no idea why they just didn't convert Byfuglien to a full-time forward - I mean he would be a teams wet dream of a power forward.... Either way having guys that can play both forward and defense is certainly an asset for your roster....

[@Actionronnie]

Buff wanted to play D. He did a stint at forward for the Jets when he was needed. But he didn't look or sound too happy to be at the forward position.

[@redheron4321]

"...And so the Thrashers made a deal with the Devils." I thought that was funny.

[@stevencooke6451]

There should have been more Devils in the details.

[@IdliAmin_TheLastKingofSambar]

steven cooke The Devils you know...

[@fireflyanimations1531]

Gionta 👍

[@MynameisMikeee]

This trade is one massive “dang it” for the Devils...

[@njdss4]

No it isnt. The 2012 SCF run doesnt happen without Kovalchuk, and he retired at the perfect time to keep the cap recapture penalty absurdly low ($250k/yr off NJ's cap). NJ even got back the 1st round pick they were forced to give up for the attempted 17 year deal.

[@cohenjoudrey5072]

Are we not gonna talk about how that first round pick Winnipeg sent to Chicago was Kevin Hayes??

[@briansquires344]

I'd love to see one of all the picks the Sharks gave up who turned into great players.

[@andrewlontai6256]

How about Jason Arnott - Bill Guerin trade tree?

[@matthewvillacis4997]

I will never forget about Kovalchuk. Think it was 2011 or 2012. We were playing Buffalo at the rock and it went to overtime. with the game on ilyas stick, he miss handled the puck the sabres won the game. pissed.

[@patrickbooth5091]

Still waiting for you do one talking about how the Colorado Rockies acquiring Chico resch lead to the devils acquiring Taylor hall

[@hockeyhub90]

What About Dany Heatley Trade Tree????

[@stevencooke6451]

I think the Devils made a reasonable trade to get a superstar who, underachieved except for his own great season, and then who bolted. The contract is the really curious part. How many seasons were they actually thinking he was going to play? He also made a decent comeback beginning with LA last year, and this year with Montreal before he was traded to the Capitals.

[@2Jim2u]

Thankfully Kovulchuk in Atlanta wasnt the onlt Thrasher seems to me a Mr Hossa was there as well, AFTER being traded for D Heatley.

[@bghlee]

Remember Patrik Stefan? Ryan Smyth does!

[@msmittysmitty83]

I took Bergdorf in my pool the next season ...he was hyped in something I read and I thought he was something special.

[@leocogan-drew2586]

PRONGER TO THE FLYERS

[@DJ_Mooster]

What I love about this is that it doesn't mention that shortly after he entered the KHL after the Devils, he started making less money then the NHL contract

[@alexracco5975]

Should do Tony Amonte or Jaromir Jagr

[@hendawg7boss40]

CAN YOU DO DANY HEATLY PLEASE

[@coreyhill681]

He also played with the Ottawa senators as well in his career

[@coreyhill681]

@Kevin Badger yes he did, he scored on the Devils with a big call

[@earl_james]

How about the old Jets franchise trading for Paul Ysaebart? Small tree but a funny one. If ya can find it, there's a picture of him walking away from old Jets arena to the airport...

[@johnnycajxrt]

I’m a Devils fan and I still haven’t forgiven Kovalchuck for what he did

[@artursfilipovs4923]

What exactly did he do? They gave him a ridicilous contract for way too long a time, what did they expect?

[@RL_Sin]

@@artursfilipovs4923 he was fine with the 17 yr contract. There was always a publicity stunt i. Place with signing Kovy as a huge Superstar. He was #17 hence the 17 yr deal. It was really a regular contract with the last like 10 yrs at like 100k or something very similar to that. He was never meant to play 17 yrs. Same with the 15 yr deal which is still why NJ got penalized with that deal the last 7 yrs or so were dirt cheap, again publicity stunt of having his salary cap equaling $6.66 mil

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

didnt kovalchuk eventually return to the nhl?

[@jayson7136]

Look without Kovi, idk if we could’ve made it to the final but we still didn’t win. But I think with Oduya and since we still had Parise Marty and Eilias, I think we still could’ve. And we lost a first round pick and a huge cap hit for years because he just left. He was a great player but looking at the whole team, Lou messed this one up

[@jacksnyder7125]

Kovalchuk is with the caps after playing for 2 other teams this season

[@kinepik]

Kovy was elite, Dustin was elite at eating hot dogs. But Dusty did have that cup thought…

[@jasonpoole3723]

i'm a devils fan and that name makes me irate. but good job on the video

[@cloudsopowera6248]

Am I the only one who thinks relocated/merged team had some of the best NHL logo and jerseys? (Thrashers, Nordiques, Whalers, North Stars, Golden Seals, Rockies)

[@mattkrywyj5184]

He played Pronger very well in the 2010 Finals, but I think saying he man-handled him all series is a huge exaggeration...

[@tylerross4866]

As a devils fan this made me so sad

[@TheEDFLegacy]

Was this before the Cap Recapture Penalty? If not... how big was that monstrosity? O.O

[@nolananderson4782]

And then along came the Kings...

[@nathanmeagher7869]

Do the Jordan Staal trade

[@maxtheriver8969]

Lamerello: Kovalchuk here’s 100$ million NHL: No Lamerello: Yes NHL: Understandable have a great day

[@shjoncampbell6754]

I still wanna see the Pronger-Shanahan trade!!!

[@alexracco5975]

Mike Komisarek or Sean Avery trade tree

[@Lawomenshoops]

Nothing against The Rocket. But, how the hell is there a Rocket Richard Award but not award named after Bobby Orr? Maybe the defensemen with the most goals? Since the Norris Trophy is basically for the defensemen with the most points.

[@EvanSolomonBerger]

Never knew kovalchuk played for the devils

[@mvk4343]

Bring back the Atlanta Thrashers

[@togetherworldtv3231]

I 💝 all😉

[@ryanenns7512]

Chicago got Kevin Hayes with the pick that the jets traded

[@TheNewsstandMan]

Bowman was committed to the Top 4 contracts , hence, Buf and Panarin never had a chance.

[@codynivea6245]

Didn't the Kings recently pay Kovi six million then immediately buy him out. Watch him now help the Caps win another Cup. I think it will happen.

[@MrJordwalk]

Yeah, I hope it does! That trade came out of left field.

[@milesbaillie1011]

Yeah, he played pretty well in Montreal

[@superjmik1]

Trade tree of craig rivet from habs too sharks!!!! Best ever for mtl

[@briansquires344]

I just posted all the picks the sharks gave up....like Patches

[@themacud]

WE WANT BUFF BACK

[@verhu010]

He just wants to fish and power to him.

[@KevinLacy22]

The Jets STILL have J.C. Lipon for what it's worth. That didn't get mentioned.

[@justawinddown]

How did New Jersey win this deal? The Jets ended up getting Byfuglien and played his best years in Winnipeg.

[@alexcairns1933]

Do a Trevor Linden trade tree! please and thank you!

[@allenhawkins195]

rick nash next???

[@thevideogamer1101]

Something tells me it was the devil's that wanting to rebuild put retirement from the nhl to kovi just so they didn't have to pay the rest of his contract in full while rebuilt because they couldn't move him

[@davidschenker182]

This was a lose-lose trade. NO ONE WINS. Please do either the Rick Nash trade or the Marian Gaborik trade

[@TFthecreekboy]

Do the Gaborik to Columbus trade coward

[@briansquires344]

Its in the nash trade

[@MrNRib]

The worst thing about this trade for the Devils was that by committing to Kovy for such a long period, they ticked off Zach Parise, their home-grown franchise player who was supposed to take the mantle from Brodeur and Elias . It only incentivized him further to "return home" and sign twin contracts with Ryan Suter in Minnesota. As a result, they didn't have a true goal scorer until the Taylor Hall fleecing.

[@ericsummers1230]

Parise sucks. Overpaid and definitely overrated yank