In times like these it is easy to forget about those NHL transactional situations that were ongoing when the league decided to pause their season, but even though no games are being played there is work being done to conclude them. One such situation revolved around the Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien, which included all the markings of a good drama—a lack of communication, heaps of frustration and the withholding of large sums of money.
Byfuglien, 35, seemed like he was leaning towards retirement at one point last offseason, but when he didn’t go that route and instead simply failed to report to Jets’ training camp he was eventually suspended by the team without pay. The veteran defenseman opted for ankle surgery in October without the team’s involvement, only complicating things.
For months now there has been reporting suggesting that the two sides were getting closer to a settlement on the dispute over his remaining salary, but nothing has been officially announced from either side. Last night on TSN’s Insider Trading, Darren Dreger explained that it all may be coming to a head soon:
It is nearing an end, but obviously given current events it’s not top priority for all involved. What I know is that the National Hockey League is scheduled to discuss the situation with the Winnipeg Jets in the very near future. Now, the Players’ Association, the league, the player and the Winnipeg Jets are all aligned in the termination agreement, but it hasn’t been executed yet and because of that the Winnipeg Jets aren’t in a position to announce. The detail work between the league and Winnipeg Jets is expected to ironed out in the near future.
While it’s unclear what kind of an agreement will be executed in terms of payment, it will mark the end of Byfuglien’s tenure in Winnipeg. Whether he plays NHL hockey again in the future will be up to him, but you can bet that there will at least be some lukewarm interest should he hit unrestricted free agency. To be clear, Byfuglien would not be eligible for the 2019-20 playoffs with a new team regardless of when they happen.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Hmmm… Interesting stuff, Gavin! One of the guys here (not me) put his vote in (with some possible inside info) as to Minne being his next destination, but we have this “Human Malware” crap going on, which may “throw a monkey into the wrench.” And, has Big Buff’s idea of playing *anywhere* changed? That was then, this is now…
I’ll believe it when i see it
Wish was way he could come back as say hometown discount back to where it all started in Chicago yes I know he was born in state of Minnesota . hopefully friendly deal so he can finish his career back in Windy City, maybe shed contracts of Crawford, and Seabrook, yes I said it even as a Blackhawk fan, Go Hawks! Get Kubalik signed as well with those contracts to shed .
Crawford is a FA after the season….. only way to buy out Seabrook is with the 2012 buyouts that did not affect the cap limit
There are others ways than the buyout, wasn’t stating buyout contracts
Sorry computer shut down lucky my message got on well part of the way, no intention of being snarky , my apologies was saying yes I know Crawford is free agent when season officially ends, and to use the 2012 buyout on Seabrook that you nicely wrote in your response , Thank you , Take Care I think it’s that Malware Mac mentioned.
I’d put money on the nhl giving each team a compliance buyout, I also don’t think buff would be that expensive, I’m a hawks fan too and I remember what he did in the 2010 playoffs, but he did just have surgery on his own and not report to his team for a whole season, not tryin to make him out as a bad guy but those things tend to stack up in negotiations for a new contract, would love to see him back though, be nice to be able to throw on the old by foog lee in shersey
I’m with you parx on Buff *************