Byfuglien, acquired in an offseason trade with Chicago, leads Atlanta with 43 points. The 25-year-old leads all NHL defensemen with 17 goals.
Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said Tuesday the new contract will keep Byfuglien in Atlanta for ``many years.'' Terms were not announced.
Byfuglien, from Minneapolis, has been at his best in clutch situations. He has six game-winning goals, one shy of the NHL season record for a defenseman.
Atlanta Thrashers defensemen Dustin Byfuglien, left, and Tobias Enstrom, right, celebrate the goal scored by teammate Nik Antropov during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers on Jan. 22 in Atlanta. / photo: Associated P
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