There is lots to talk about Friday as news broke that the NHL and Winnipeg Jets have terminated the contract of Dustin Byfuglien. The now-former Jets defenseman will become an unrestricted free agent. That said, there are a few things worth noting.
First, this brings a near year-long end to the drama between the Winnipeg Jets and Big Buff. That is nothing but good news for the team who said they didn’t want this to be the outcome, but the team was handcuffed financially all season by the uncertainty surrounding Byfuglien’s future. As the NHL finally confirmed his contract has been terminated, both sides can move on.
Frank Seravalli notes from TSN:
“Dustin Byfuglien did not receive any money from #nhljets as part of agreeing to resolve his grievance and terminate his contract. He walked away from $14 million due to him over this season and next.”
While it’s a lot of money to give away, Byfuglien had told the Jets coming into the season he just wasn’t sure if he had it in him to play another year. When asked if he’d wanted a trade, he said moving to another team had nothing to do with it. Of course, questions will now be, ‘Is that still the case?’
There will be tons of speculation as to where Byfulien might go next and what his future is. Now that the two sides have “mutually resolved” the grievance filed by Byfuglien he’s got a chance to pick his next destination.
But, there’s a catch.
Not like teams are looking to spend a lot of money right now, but Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic noted that the NHL confirmed Byfuglien can’t sign with a team for the rest of this season (if there is one). Earliest he can sign is for next season. No one seems to know when that will be.
As for the Jets, they free up $7.6-million in salary cap space for the next season — something they will likely use to bolster their blue line that was decimated last season.
Related: Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner: Doing His Bit to Fight COVID-19
