The Dustin Byfuglien saga with the Winnipeg Jets may be coming to an end sooner than we thought. According to TSN's Frank Seravalli, the defenseman and the team are working on a mutual contract termination that would make Byfluglien a free agent and give the Jets the cap clarity they've been looking for.
Byfluglien hasn't played since the playoffs last season. He did not report for Winnipeg's training camp, and was suspended without pay by the team. At the time, Winnipeg said the 34-year-old blueliner was contemplating his hockey future. However, it was later reported that Byfuglien underwent ankle surgery for an injury that his camp claimed happened last season. He apparently played through the injury in the playoffs. A grievance had been filed by the players union claiming that Byfuglien should have been paid while recovering as his injury was suffered while playing for his team. The league had filed an appeal. According to Seravalli, the contract termination would end the grievance.
Byfuglien has one more season after this one left on a contract paying him $7.6 million a year. The termination would make him eligible to sign elsewhere. However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently reported that it was unlikely that Byfuglien would be able to play this season as his recovery was taking longer than expected. He has not yet resumed skating, although he has been taking part in rehab.
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