When the Winnipeg Jets announced recently that Dustin Byfuglien was taking a leave of absence from the team but it was not due to injury, eyebrows raised all around the league. Support poured out for whatever Byfuglien was dealing with, hoping that it would not affect his playing status for this year. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, it might. McKenzie reports that the Winnipeg Jets defender is “using the time to ponder his NHL future” and explained there is no timetable for a decision.
Byfuglien is currently on the fourth of a five-year contract and is set to earn $8MM this season and $6MM next, all in salary. Retirement would forfeit all of that and remove one of the Jets’ most consistent defensemen from the team right before they are expected to contend for the Stanley Cup again. Winnipeg has already seen Jacob Trouba, Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot leave through various methods this summer, meaning a loss of Byfuglien would sting even more.
Of course, there is also a potential silver lining for the Jets, who are still without Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor as they negotiate new contracts. The team doesn’t have a ton of cap space to fit the pair in if they wanted to go for long-term contracts, a problem that would be alleviated if Byfuglien retired. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic also suggests that the team could then pursue either Rasmus Ristolainin or Justin Faulk in trade to try and replace some of what Byfuglien brings, though that is just speculation at this point.
Man this could really screw them up badly. It’s too bad this didn’t happen at the start of the offseason before they let all those defenders moved out.
“a loss of Byfuglien would sting even more” – understatement of the month, Gavin. Sure hope this isn’t due to PCS. Ristolainen would probably be a major problem for Paul Maurice, so if Faulk is your other choice, he (Faulk) would be the better move. Big #33 on the Jets blueline is still a compelling guy to watch night in, and night out. Would be a shame if he is seriously considering retirement now.
Not a good time to be a jets fan.
Let’s make a deal
Winnipeg with recent statements made by Laine that he isn’t happy in his playing time and role with the Jets, would be to trade him to the Carolina Hurricanes who is reported they are seeking forwards for Justin Faulk. is trade Laine to Carolina for Faulk, thou Faulk has salary of $4,833,333 Winnipeg does have cap space of $14 + million, only deterrent is Carolina doesn’t have cap space so other players unknown to me has to be included unless Carolina gets money and draft picks for Faulk, that way Laine would be happy elsewhere and can play alongside fellow countryman Sebastian Aho, and possible form finish connection with Teravainen , so other players or maybe even include blockbuster with another team in trade Winnipeg needs Defenseman and make disgruntled player happy elsewhere. any help elsewhere in trade , Hello Mac !
Laine for Faulk???? There’s no way Winnipeg is going to make that trade
“Probably” not, but never say never. Cheveldayoff had his D decimated, and Carolina has been collecting blueline hockey cards to sell. Would Laine be happier playing with Aho? Maybe, as long as things are always rosy and he doesn’t face any real adversity (like long scoring droughts). His showing of a petulant side isn’t going over well in the NHL world, which may affect his value going forward.
Campaigning for Wayne Brady’s job, there, Gerald? Jonathan BigHead will freak you out, though!
rotflmao , nah! just trying out for job to bring display boxes down and opening them.
No offense, but I’m voting for Miss Tiffany 8 days a week for that one!
Thanks alot Mac, alright am I allowed to set up displays behind the doors ,is there an opening for that job so you can look at your girl. haven’t watched that show in many moons. Where I live and all the flooding for last few years on Tennessee River hard to get satellite guy out here they are scared of us river folks. Last one we carried snipe hunting.
You are approved for that position! Tell Wayne I said so. If he gives you “that look”, remind him we’re bigwigs on PHR and we occasionally go into the corners with our elbows up!
The Isles have a ton of defensemen and would probably love to unload one. Nick Leddy is under team control at an AAV 5.5M until 21-22. He is 28 years old. Not a physical defenseman but a good puck handling dman who can run the power play. He is from Minnesota so would probably not mind a trade closer to home. In addition send a pick or mid range prospect for Laine. The Isles need top 6 forward help. It would make sense from a salary standpoint and if Laine is only playing 2nd line minutes the Jets can’t ask for the world.
If the Jets want more of a physical presence they could ask for Johnny Boychuk who is from Calgary. Boychuk has a modified NTC and I assume Winnipeg is probably on that list. He would have to waive it. He just bought a house on LI so not sure he wants to move but it would be closer to home and right now he is going to get 3rd pairing minutes at best. There might be times he is scratched. Maybe he won’t care based on his contract but if he wants to play the West may be the way to go. His AAV is 6M through 21-22 but he is older (34) so the Isles would have to part with more to get a top forward. Kieffer Bellows or Oliver Wahlstrom come to mind from a forward perspective (unless they can unload Josh Ho-Sang or Michael Dal Colle) or send a mid level D prospect such as Sebastian Aho, Parker Wotherspoon or Mitch Vande Sompel.
According to spotrac New York Islanders only have $4,653,334 in salary cap. Laine is like few others probably to ask for $10 million + to get close to Marner’s recent contract , with Leddy’s $5.5 mill. and Boychuk’s $6 mil. yeah Jets need defense then get a prospect in return , Ho-Sang for me is like Puljujarvi hasn’t lived up to hype thou more of upside , now we talk about Pulock and Bellows then we might talk. with Leddy then yes!