Blackhawks Re-Sign Burish, Byfuglien and Wisniewski

[Thrillhouse]

General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Blackhawks have agreed to terms with three of the team’s restricted free agents – Adam Burish (forward), Dustin Byfuglien (forward) and James Wisniewski (defenseman).

Burish, 25, appeared in 81 games for the Blackhawks last season scoring four goals and four assists for eight points to go with 214 penalty minutes, which lead the Blackhawks and ranked 3rd in the NHL.

Burish was selected by the Blackhawks in the 9th round, 282nd overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 90 career games with the Blackhawks recording four goals and four assists for eight points and 216 penalty minutes.

Burish played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin where he served as Captain of the 2005-06 team that won the NCAA Championship. He recently played for Team USA at the 2008 World Championship with fellow teammates Patrick Kane and James Wisniewski.

Byfuglien, 23, appeared in 67 games for the Blackhawks last season scoring 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points with 59 penalty minutes. He began the 2007-08 season in Rockford of the American Hockey League to rehab after suffering a rib injury during the preseason. In Rockford, he appeared in eight games scoring two goals and five assists for seven points and 25 penalty minutes while notching a plus/minus rating of +6 before being recalled on November 3.

Byfuglien was selected by the Blackhawks in the 8th round, 245th overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 101 career games with the Blackhawks recording 23 goals and 21 assists for 44 points and 93 penalty minutes.

Wisniewski, 24, appeared in 68 games for the Blackhawks last season scoring seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points and 103 penalty minutes while posting a plus/minus rating of +12.

Wisniewski was selected by the Blackhawks in the 5th round, 156th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 137 career games with the Blackhawks recording 11 goals and 32 assists for 43 points and 178 penalty minutes.

In addition to his NHL career, Wisniewski has enjoyed success on the international level having played on three Gold Medal winning teams for the United States. In 2004, he was a member of the USA team that won the World Junior Championship. Wisniewski also won Gold Medals at the 2001 World Under-17 Challenge and the 2002 World Under-18 Championship. He recently played for Team USA at the 2008 World Championship.

[Isles4life]

Good moves hanging onto some young guys with some grit.

[Viper207]

A future Captain (Burish? Wiz?) and 2 future Alternates signed. Great day for Chicago and fans of good, physical hockey.

[Snipes19]

Awesome signings by the 'Hawks. Burish, Byfuglien, and Wisniewski are three of their top young players, and they are also gritty players that the 'Hawks need, so this is very good news.

[SnowballIsChamp]

I hate Chicago but these are 3 guys I would never not want the Wings to sign had the chance.

[Ciccarelli]

I still don't get what Dustin Byfuglien is. Is he going to be a winger on a scoring line, a checking line winger that gets ice-time on the powerplay or is he a d-man that plays in front of the net on the powerplay? Did he just overachieve because of all the ice-time he got and his numbers are somehow misleading or is he skilled to be an offensive factor?

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

I am indeed happy with this news. I still hope they address the fact that they still don’t have a legit heavyweight in the lineup. To answer Ciccarelli's question... I think its the Hawks plan to keep Buff in and on the second line playing winger. With the surplus of young defenseman I think Dustin is more valuable on the wing. I also hope that he can develop a mean streak this year and stop being such a dough boy.

[Viper207]

Byfuglien is an enigma who really hasn't found his role yet. He can hit like a freight train with Scott Stevens at the wheel, which means you'd like him on defense. Yet he has an incredible shot, so you want him at wing and especially on the PP. Plus, who doesn't need a 250+ lb. guy scrambling in the corners? Once he adapts into being a big, defensive forward, he's going to be a force out there. He reminds me a lot of Mike Grier early in his career, and yes, he needs more of an edge. Someone please run over his kitten.

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by OLLBLUEEYZ

I think its the Hawks plan to keep Buff in and on the second line playing winger. With the surplus of young defenseman I think Dustin is more valuable on the wing. I also hope that he can develop a mean streak this year and stop being such a dough boy.

i agree cause he was too slow on d last year, hence to move to forward. he played pretty well with kane and toews at the end of the year.

[Ciccarelli]

Originally Posted by OLLBLUEEYZ

I am indeed happy with this news. I still hope they address the fact that they still don’t have a legit heavyweight in the lineup. To answer Ciccarelli's question... I think its the Hawks plan to keep Buff in and on the second line playing winger. With the surplus of young defenseman I think Dustin is more valuable on the wing. I also hope that he can develop a mean streak this year and stop being such a dough boy.

Thx. If they keep Byfuglien as a winger on the second line I wonder where Jack Skille will fit in. Skille should be ready this year to get a job with the Hawks and he is (at least from scouting reports) way more skilled then Byfuglien.

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by Ciccarelli

Thx. If they keep Byfuglien as a winger on the second line I wonder where Jack Skille will fit in. Skille should be ready this year to get a job with the Hawks and he is (at least from scouting reports) way more skilled then Byfuglien.

skille isn't fully ready yet. he disappeared in the playoffs. yes he is more skilled, but still has to learn more to be a productive player with the hawks. another half a year in rockford wouldnt hurt him imo

[kwnger1371]

Very nice to see getting to fighters back. Now if the Wings can get tougher next year we could have some good fights between these two teams.