The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to five year contract extension worth $38 million, a $7.6 million cap hit.
The 30-year old Byfuglien was drafted 245th overall in the 8th round of the 2003 draft by the Blackhawks.
Thoughts from the media:
- Craig Custance: “Annual salary breakdown of the Dustin Byfuglien contract: $8 million, $8 million, $8 million, $8 million, $6 million.”
- Ted Wyman: “With new deal, Byfuglien now has third-highest AAV ($7.6 mil) among #NHL defencemen. Only Subban and Shea Weber higher. #NHLJets”
- Cap Friendly: “Similar cap hits to Byfuglien deal Shea Weber $7.857M Dustin Byfuglien $7.6M Ryan Suter $7.538M Kris Letang $7.25M”
- Cap Friendly: “with Dustin Byfuglien signed,
#Jets now have 5 of their current d-men under contract for next season & beyond at a total of $23,212,500M” - Ted Wyman: “At this time last year, it was often reported Byfuglien was looking for 7 or 8 years of term on his deal. Five years is great for
#NHLjets” - Down Goes Brown: “I like that Byfuglien deal for the Jets. Said all along that a big AAV was worth it if they could keep the term reasonable. They did.”
- EJ Hradek: “Re Byfuglien new deal: team gives more $$ per year, player takes one less year in term. Compromise makes sense for both. Hard guy to replace”
- Ryan Kennedy: “Here’s what Jets were up against with Byfuglien: according to one agent I spoke with (not his), Buff could have gotten $8 mil on open market”
- Shawn Simpson: “Jets pay a little more at 7.6 per for Byfuglien. But keep term down at 5 years. Important deal for team and fans!!!”
The boys congratulate Byfuglien… pic.twitter.com/basrV0oUrP
— Shane Hnidy (@ShaneHnidy) February 8, 2016