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Winnipeg Jets extend Dustin Byfuglien for five years

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 15, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Jets defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Jets defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year extension

The first domino of the 2016 NHL trade deadline has fallen. Dustin Byfuglien was expected to be traded by the Winnipeg Jets at the trade deadline. However, the team has decided to re-sign him instead. The two sides have agreed to terms for a five year extension that will keep Byfuglien in Winnipeg for the remainder of his prime.

From the Jets official website:

"The Winnipeg Jets today announced they have signed [defenseman] Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.6 million.Byfuglien, 30, has recorded 32 points (15G, 17A) so far this season while appearing in all 52 games and sits in a tie for second amongst all NHL defencemen with his 15 goals. Byfuglien leads the Jets so far this season in shots (163), penalty minutes (78) and ice time (24:14 per game)."

This comes as a bit of a surprise as the Jets blue line seems deep enough that they could withstand the loss of Byfuglien and the Jets are clearly in need of a rebuild. The term on the extension isn’t terrible and Byfuglien should remain productive until his contract runs out when he’s 35 years old.

Keeping Byfuglien around could impact their roster decisions this offseason. Defenseman Jacob Trouba will become a restricted free agent and it’s quite likely that he will be seeking a long-term deal. With Byfuglien back in the mix, the Jets could deal him if his salary demands are too high. They could in theory trade him to the New York Islanders for Travis Hamonic to save some cash.

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