Former Blackhawk Dustin Byfuglien is working with the Winnipeg Jets towards a mutual contract termination, according to multiple sources reported by TSN.
This mutual parting is seemingly a win-win for the Jets as well as Byfuglien. The 34-year-old defenseman has been off the ice since October after undergoing surgery on his ankle. Prior to surgery, Byfuglien took personal leave from the Jets in September and there was much speculation he was considering retirement. In November, Byfuglien filed a grievance to the NHLPA, saying he deserved to be paid during his recovery from a legitimate hockey injury.
According to TSN, he began rehabbing his ankle in December, but there haven’t been reports of when he was due back on the ice. This continued speculation that Byfuglien doesn’t intend to return to the Jets at all and wants to retire. If he does retire, Byfuglien will be leaving $14 million owed in salary over the final two years of his contract with the Jets.
The Jets have been in need a strong defenseman this season. After trading Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers becoming a free agent, they had been hoping to rely on Byfuglien in that role. Terminating Byfuglien and freeing up cap space will allow the Jets to shop around for a quality replacement. However, a hearing date for Byfuglien’s grievance hasn’t yet been set, so the Jets must consider the possibility he could return or win the grievance.
Byfuglien was an eighth-round draft pick for Chicago, entering the NHL in 2003. He played with the Hawks until 2010, winning the 2010 Stanley Cup before being traded.
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