Latest on the contract statuses of Jets’ Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien, plus updated UFA and PTO lists.
Nothing new on Ladd and Byfuglien.
Will the Jets re-sign Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien?
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS/WINNIPEG SUN: reports Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff claims he has nothing new regarding the respective contract statuses of left wing Andrew Ladd and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, who are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. Cheveldayoff assures Jets fans re-signing the duo is his priority. He also said he’s had no contract talks with former Jets Jim Slater, Lee Stempniak and Jiri Tlusty.
ESPN.COM: In his Central Division preview, Scott Burnside ponders what Cheveldayoff will do with Ladd and Byfuglien, focusing more on the latter. Burnside wonders if the Jets have enough cap room to pay Byfuglien a big salary (he’ll earn $6 million this season) with Tyler Myers, Jacob Trouba and Ben Chiarot forming a nice nucleus for the future. He also wonders how much it would cost the Jets in term and salary to retain Big Buff, speculating on perhaps trading him for more scoring, particularly at left wing. Burnside speculates Ladd, who’s earning $4.5 million this season, will be easier to retain.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve stated before, when it comes down to choosing between Ladd and Byfuglien, I believe the Jets will go with the former. Letting Ladd walk while re-signing Byfuglien means losing an experienced top-line left wing and leader. Given the Jets depth at defense, Ladd’s affordability compared to Byfuglien and the need to re-sign RFAs like Trouba and Mark Scheifele, I believe this is Byfuglien’s last season with the Jets. They could trade him at some point, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s retained for another run at a playoff berth, even at the risk of losing him to free agency next July.
Updated UFA and PTO lists.
TSN.CA: Frank Seravalli lists right wing Jiri Tlusty, defenseman Marek Zidlicky, right wing Lee Stempniak and left wing Sean Bergenheim among the notable UFAs still available. He also provides the following list of players on professional tryout contracts, noting these players are still considered UFAs and can sign with any club they wish. Add Brad Boyes to this list, as he recently signed a PTO with the Toronto Maple Leafs:
Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh)
Scottie Upshall (St. Louis)
David Booth (Florida)
Scott Gomez (St. Louis)
Curtis Glencross (Toronto)
Ray Emery (Tampa Bay)
Keith Aulie (Arizona)
Tom Sestito (Pittsburgh)
Matt Carkner (N.Y. Islanders)
Ryan Wilson (Calgary)
Steve Bernier (N.Y. Islanders)
Jonas Gustavsson (Boston)
Rob Schremp (Florida/AHL)
Peter Budaj (Los Angeles)
Brett Bellemore (N.Y. Rangers)
James Sheppard (Columbus)
Ryan Martindale (Tampa Bay)
David Leggio (Winnipeg)
Eriah Hayes (St. Louis)
Eric Boulton (N.Y. Islanders)
Devin Setoguchi (Toronto)
Apparently Sergi Kostitsyn has signed a PTO with the Flames too.
I love when teams sign players to PTO’s as it really doesn’t mean much but shows the player there is some interest and if they want a job, they have to prove it. From the team’s point of view, all it does is creates more competition in camp and doesn’t cost a thing. If the player on the PTO proves they’re worth a shot, you get them on a cheap deal because…well they’re available. It could also make rookies fight even harder for that spot. Big fan of PTO’s.
If the jets are floundering this season, they should move Buff. I think they’ll get a boatload for him from a team making a push. If the Flyers are in the hunt, they’ll try to get him as they’ve always wanted him. I’d love to see him on the sabres though….just so him and Kane could be in the same locker room again lol.
It can also go in the players favour as well. If a manager from another team see’s a player on a PTO for another team he may try to swoop in and sign that player.
Sure would love to see Big Buff wearing a Red Wings Jersey in the near future a pairing of Kronwall-Byfuglien and DeKeyser-Green would give Detroit definitely one of the best defense in the east and one of the best defenses in all of hockey Can’t wait for the season to start.
Would be nice but that would mean about 20% of our payroll is going to 3 D men. Add the other 14 mil to Z and Pavs and 1/3 of our payroll is gone. X and Marchenko are NHL ready. Need to see them frind out a whole season. I think X is something special in the making.
Wishful thinking is great, it’s always nice to dream but I’m a realist, well more of a pessimist really. Ha-ha! Detroit has 5 Dman signed for next season & DeKeyser is an RFA. Green, Kronwall & Ericsson are signed for 3, 4 & 5 years respectively & as Dmart has offered up cap issues are an issue & 3 young D are ready to advance. Sproul, Ouellet & Marchenko are ready to advance.
Of course the Jets try to retain Ladd. That is a no brained. However, I still see Enstrom has the man I would try to move on the blue line so that Buff can be resigned. He is a puck moving defenseman (albeit with a cap hit), which obviously has a premium. Not the easiest player to move, but imo moveable.
If they move Buff, they likely see the Holy Trinity as a return. Moving Enstrom probably a good prospect and a 2nd, or a solid top 6 forward. I for one believe the Jets are ready to start competing in the West, so the Holy Trinity although beautiful is not necessary. Enstrom nets a solid return, without taking too much away from the group as a whole.
Good fits might include the Islanders, Penguins (depending on injuries) or Boston (depending on their cap situation moving forward).
I agree completely, I like the idea of moving Enstrom over Buff. Buff, Truba, Meyers, and Chiarot form an impressive Top 4 needed to compete in the Western Conference. I am sure Enstrom or Enstrom + can get you the LW you are looking for and save on cap.
Moving Enstrom with 3 years remaining at 5.75 won’t be easy, I would wager virtually impossible in a cap stagnant world. You can forget Pittsburgh. They have 61.313 committed to 8F, 5D & 1G for the 2016-17 season. Plotnikov, Bennett & Maatta are RFA’s, Perron, Lovejoy & Zatkoff are UFA’s. Maatta will be getting a significant raise. You could let all the UFA’s potentially walk but they will need to be replaced with someone. This is cap hell.
Boston could afford it, their cap issues are solved moving forward. They have 4.75 now to flush out a 13th forward; Khokhlachev or Ferlin, a #8 Dman ; Morrow, & back up goalie; Smith, maybe the monster gets offered the league minimum for 1 year. Next season 8F, 3D & 1G signed at 48.117. Connolly, Krug & Trotman RFA’s, Eriksson, Kelly, Talbot,Irwin & K. Miller UFA’s. I don’t see Boston taking on that cap hit. Boston is in a kind of rebuild & will be adding young players to the mix.
NYI has 5 Dman signed for next season & don’t need what Enstrom brings to the table. Next!
If the Jets struggle and are well out of a playoff spot is it possible they trade both Buff and Ladd at the deadline. I have to think a team going for the cup would be interested in picking up either.
I agree with Lyle. Cheveldayoff really needs to get Ladd resigned. Losing Buffy would hurt but they have enough depth at D & the return even at the deadline would be substantial & that type of trade always carries futures should he sign with the playoff contender traded to. Losing Ladd would be significant as none of the prospects are ready to assume his minutes & leadership role. The issue always comes back to money. How much is Ladd worth & on what term. He’s 30 in December?
I don’t see Boston trading for Enstrom (contract is too rich) I do see them going after Byfuglien, Seabrook or Yandle in the offseason if they are still available. The bruins will have lots of funds available to go after one of the three, with Kelly, Erickson and Lucic money coming off the books.
Lucic is already gone, so his money is already off the books
I believe we retained around 3 million so caper is correct.
2.75 to be precise
Have Ladd and Buff clearly stated that they want to stay in Winnipeg past this season? Start there before you speculate which of the two the Jets should try and sign beyond this season.
Sean Bergenheim – I have been saying for some time, somebody should sign this guy. He is the best of what is still available in the UFA market.
Toby is not worth his contract, so moving him will not be as easy as you believe.
the bruins 3 first round picks all failed their conditioning test! not a good start lol
haha. seriously?. Them Bruins got a lot of work to teach those prospects what it means to be a Professional athlete
Nothing to worry about. They are only 18, and will get in better shape
Sound like small bears
Last year Bennett couldn’t do a chin up remember? We all now how that worked out…I wouldn’t jump to conclusions about teenagers and fitness tests.