The are keeping one of their core players, and at the same time are taking away what would have been one of the top players on the market leading up to the NHL trade deadline later this month. The team announced on Monday afternoon that it has signed defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka Jersey to a five-year, $38 million contract extension that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2020-21 season. That comes out to a salary cap hit of $7.6 million per season, which will be the third largest salary cap hit among all defensemen when it kicks in next season. Only Montreal's P.K. Subban ($9 million) and Nashville's Shea Weber ($7.8 million) will have larger cap hits. Had the two sides not come together on a new deal Byfuglien would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency after the season. His contract status, combined with the fact the Jets are going through a disappointing season that currently has them out of the Western Conference playoff picture, made him one of leading . But now that Byfuglien has been signed long-term, it's pretty clear the Jets will not be moving him. Byfuglien is one of the most unique defenseman in the league given his size, overpowering physical play and production. He is one of the most feared hitters in the league, while also owning an offensive skillset that has allowed him to be one of the most productive defensemen in the NHL since he made the position switch during the franchise's Atlanta days. As of Monday Byfuglien is second only to Erik Karl son among defensemen in total points (267 -- he trails Karl son by nearly 70 points for the top spot) since the start of the 2010-11 season. His 93 goals are also second best among defenseman, trailing only the 96 that belong to Weber. In the short-term, there is nothing wrong with the deal for the Jets. Byfuglien is a top player in the league at the position and can still be a game-changing player. The concern is going to be a couple of years down the line given his size (listed at 6-5, 265) and the fact he is going to turn 31 years old before the new contract even kicks in. In 52 games with the Jets this season Byfuglien has 32 points (15 goals, 17 a sists). Dustin Byfuglien has a new $38 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets. (USATSI) Torey Krug Jersey
The are keeping one of their core players, and at the same time are taking away what would have been one of the top players on the market leading up to the NHL trade deadline later this month. The team announced on Monday afternoon that it has signed defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka Jersey to a five-year, $38 million contract extension that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2020-21 season. That comes out to a salary cap hit of $7.6 million per season, which will be the third largest salary cap hit among all defensemen when it kicks in next season. Only Montreal's P.K. Subban ($9 million) and Nashville's Shea Weber ($7.8 million) will have larger cap hits. Had the two sides not come together on a new deal Byfuglien would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency after the season. His contract status, combined with the fact the Jets are going through a disappointing season that currently has them out of the Western Conference playoff picture, made him one of leading . But now that Byfuglien has been signed long-term, it's pretty clear the Jets will not be moving him. Byfuglien is one of the most unique defenseman in the league given his size, overpowering physical play and production. He is one of the most feared hitters in the league, while also owning an offensive skillset that has allowed him to be one of the most productive defensemen in the NHL since he made the position switch during the franchise's Atlanta days. As of Monday Byfuglien is second only to Erik Karl son among defensemen in total points (267 -- he trails Karl son by nearly 70 points for the top spot) since the start of the 2010-11 season. His 93 goals are also second best among defenseman, trailing only the 96 that belong to Weber. In the short-term, there is nothing wrong with the deal for the Jets. Byfuglien is a top player in the league at the position and can still be a game-changing player. The concern is going to be a couple of years down the line given his size (listed at 6-5, 265) and the fact he is going to turn 31 years old before the new contract even kicks in. In 52 games with the Jets this season Byfuglien has 32 points (15 goals, 17 a sists). Dustin Byfuglien has a new $38 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets. (USATSI) Torey Krug Jersey