It is over. The year of discontent between Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets has been resolved with Byfuglien and the Jets agreeing to terminate his contract. The season-long saga is over in what appears to be the only way it could actually end.
The Jets and Byfuglien used to be a great partnership, but following a foot/ankle injury that might have never healed properly and a broken foot that Byfuglien claims had not been picked up in his year end physical (that he signed off on), it was over. It was over the moment Byfuglien refused to report to camp because of the foot and the Jet suspended him. They had no other option really.
This move sucks for the Jets. Byfuglien was one of their best defenceman and him leaving leaves a hard to fill hole in the lineup. However, it will free up some cap space for the Jets to sign a different player and it also provides closure. Closure that has not been there all season. The Jets had Byfuglien there, but they never knew where he stood with them, if he would ever come back, and how his recovery was going. They now know he will not be back.
Byfuglien is gone, but at least the Jets know that for sure now.
