On the Winnipeg Jets, Byfuglien and Ladd …
- Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: The Jets have a dilemma with pending unrestricted free agents Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien – both play big roles in their playoff hunt, or do they look to trade them. If GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has to move one of them to fit in with their future salary situation, which one does he trade? Tait makes a case to keep/trade each Byfuglien and Ladd.Case to keep Andrew Ladd
1. He wears the ‘C’ for a reason
2. He’s a consistent point producer – O.73 points per game since being acquired by the Jets.
3. What dealing him might represent – could send mix-signals to the players that remain.Case to trade Andrew Ladd
1.The law of diminishing returns
2. The cap squeeze – still have to sign some important RFAs
3. The return could be significantCase to keep Dustin Byfuglien
1. His uniqueness
2. Just Buff being Buff
3. It stops the chatter – signing one of them would quiet some talk and shows that the team still wants to win.Case to trade Dustin Byfuglien
1. His style of game has a short shelf life
2. A stacked right side and D dollars – have Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba.
3. A+B=C? – return might be more than for Ladd. Could they then try to trade for Travis Hamonic if they move Byfuglien?The case for keeping both
The early projection on next seasons salary cap is $74.5 million. After re-signing RFAs Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, Adam Lowry and Michael Hutchinson, there still might be room to fit in both Ladd and Byfuglien.
Quick Rumor Hits …
- Joe Smith: Steven Stamkos on his ‘liking’ a Toronto tweet: “It doesn’t look great. But I’m telling you guys that it was an accident.”
- Brian Lawton: Don’t think there is much chance that Eric Staal re-signs with the Hurricanes at this stage.
- Frank Seravalli: Once Alexander Semin clears waivers, he’ll be signing with Magnitogorsk of the KHL for the remainder of the season.
- Slava Malamud: Magnitogorsk’s GM blames NHL coaches for Semin’s troubles: “let God be their judge.”