Yet, another twist in the ongoing situation between defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, arbitration is likely taking place to determine whether Byfuglien or the team should have to pay for it. Friedman is also hinting at some possible building tension between the two sides.
While appearing during the intermission of a game Saturday night, Friedman indicated recent surgery on Byfuglien's ankle revealed a broken bone that needed to be repaired. The current collective bargaining agreement states that the team is financially responsible for any injury suffered by a player while playing the game. Byfuglien hasn't played since last year. According to Friedman, the Jets content an end-of-season physical deemed Byfuglien fit to play, and he never complained to anyone of an ankle injury over the summer. Friedman also reported that the Jets argue the blueliner made it clear to Winnipeg's management before the start of training camp that he was ready to retire.
On the other side, Byfuglien's representatives claim Winnipeg was well aware that he played injured in the playoffs last season, and that he traveled to Winnipeg before the start of training camp fully intending to play. It was only after he put on skates that his ankle started acting up and he knew something needed to be done about it. Byfuglien's side believes his ankle is a legitimate hockey injury that should be covered by the team.
Given where the situation stands, Friedman said the big question now becomes, should Byfuglien decide to return to the NHL, does he want to play for the Jets, and is Winnipeg interested in having him back on the team. With the way things have gone, there's a legitimate argument on both sides.
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