The Dustin Byfuglien legend came to a conclusion Friday as the defenseman accepted equally end his agreement with the Winnipeg Jets.
Byfuglien was suspended in September after he stopped working to report to training school while mulling retirement. The 35- year-old then went through ankle surgical treatment in October, putting his NHL future in limbo.
According to TSN’s Frank Seravalli, Byfuglien compromised the staying $14 million on his agreement, which was set to end after next season. The NHL validated to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun that Byfuglien will not have the ability to sign with a team for the 2019-20 season, must it resume.
And as apparent as it might be, however I inspected once again anyhow, the NHL validates 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. https://t.co/H7rzmxdQ1p
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 17, 2020
It’s still uncertain whether Byfuglien will lace up the skates once again, however he is undoubtedly a desired product for lots of teams ought to he choose to play next season. The three-time All-Star has actually tallied 525 points in 869 profession games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Atlanta/Winnipeg
Here are five possible locations for Byfuglien.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Like previous years, Toronto’s defense was a location of issue all season long. Injuries pestered the Leafs’ blue line, and the team was connected for the sixth-worst defense in the league this season (3.17 goals-against-per-game).
The Maple Leafs have actually 3 defensemen set to end up being complimentary representatives in Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci and Travis Dermott, which ought to clear up some capspace According to CapFriendly, the Maple Leafs are currently slated to have $7 million to deal with.
MORE: NHL complimentary firm 2020: List of best readily available players
Byfuglien would offer an offensively efficient, puck-moving defenseman on the blue line, specifically if Barrie leaves this offseason. With a full season off, he would most likely likewise come at a reasonably low expense for the cap-strained Leafs.
Florida Panthers
Comparable to the Maple Leafs, the Panthers have actually had a leaking defense this season, ranking connected-for- 3rd in GA/G ( 3.25). Regardless of that, the Panthers were ideal on the playoff bubble prior to the season stopped briefly.
Panthers defensemen Mark Pysyk and MacKenzie Weegar are set to end up being complimentary representatives after the season. Byfuglien might change Pysyk as one of Florida’s right-handed defenseman while likewise including a physical existence. The Panthers ranked 27 th in hits per game (181) this season while Byfuglien has actually tallied a minimum of 200 strikes 4 times in his profession.
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo might be an intriguing landing area for the Sabres ought to they choose not to re-sign limited complimentary representative Brandon Montour. The 26- year-old defenseman scored 18 points in 54 games in 2019-20
After strong starts to start each of the last 2 seasons, the Sabres went out of playoff contention by January and have not made the playoffs considering that2011 Buffalo’s defense ranks the 10 th-worst in the league enabling 3.12 objectives versus.
The Sabres need assist on the back end and might be among the most aggressive teams in the offseason as they will have $36 million in cap space, per CapFriendly.
NHL complimentary firm 2020: Total list of all 31 teams UFA, RFA players
Nashville Predators
The Predators clawed back into a playoff area under brand-new head coach John Hynes prior to the season was stopped briefly. What has actually specified the Predators in the last few years has actually been their defense, however this season they have actually taken an action backwards.
In the 2 previous years, Nashville had the league’s stingiest defense enabling simply 2.54 GA/G; this season, they’re 21 st (3.10).
Nashville is set to have 3 defensemen end up being complimentary representatives in Yannick Weber, Dan Hamhuis and Korbinian Holzer. Byfuglien would provide 2 strong defensive pairings with Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals have actually been led by Norris Trophy prospect John Carlson this season. The 30- year-old blueliner has posted 75 points however the rest of the defensemen have actually integrated for 77.
Byfuglien might plug right in and be a high-scoring defenseman, with Washington having the second-highest scoring offense, balancing 3.42 objectives-for- per-game He would likewise enhance the Capitals defense, which ranks 18 th in the league enabling 3.07 GA/G.
Defensemen Radko Gudas, trade- due date acquisition Brenden Dillon and Jonas Siegenthaler are all set to end up being complimentary representatives this offseason.
