Jets sign defenceman Byfuglien to five-year extension

Dustin Byfuglien had hoped to remain in Winnipeg after joining the franchise from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.

His last contract came with a salary cap hit of $5.2 million.

Byfuglien has been with the Jets’ organization for the past six seasons after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on June 24, 2010 with Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and Akim Aliu for Marty Reasoner, Jeremy Morin, Joey Crabb and first and second-round selections at the 2010 NHL Draft. “But I think it’s that maturation of a person that has allowed him to understand how he can take his games to other levels, as well”.

The 30-year-old Roseau, Minnesota native has recorded 32 points (15G, 17A) so far this season while appearing in all 52 games and sits in a tie for second amongst all National Hockey League defencemen with his 15 goals.

With new deal, Byfuglien now has third-highest AAV ($7.6 mil) among #NHL defencemen.

With Byfuglien signing a new deal, attention in Manitoba shifts toward the fate of captain Andrew Ladd, who will also be a free agent at the end of the season.

Cheveldayoff didn’t want to comment on where negotiations stand with Ladd. As a rental, Ladd won’t command a large price in terms of long-term prospects, but the Jets would certainly require at least one or two solid forward prospects from the Blackhawks to make such a deal happen, as there will be a lot of suitors coming forward (and a higher return required of a divisional opponent).

Stafford will miss the Jets game against St. Louis, which starts Tuesday night at 7 p.m.