Breaking: Major update on Byfuglien situation in Winnipeg

This just in courtesy of NHL insider Bob McKenzie of TSN and NBCSN, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfugllien, who has been suspended by his team for failing to report, has undergone ankle surgery to “take care of” unresolved issues from an ankle sprain that he suffered last season.

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Suffice it to say, it does NOT look like Byfuglien will be back in the Jets’ lineup anytime soon. Details on this developing story to come.

In his a recent 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered up an update on the Byfuglien via Byfuglien’s agent Ben Hankinson.

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Ben Hankinson, who represents Dustin Byfuglien, warns “not to jump to any conclusions” about the defence man’s future. I’ve heard the Jets have to work to convince Byfuglien to return, but Hankinson said this is going to take some time before we know one way or the other. Winnipeg is clearly hoping he gets bitten by the hockey bug and decides to return. The health of his ankle likely determines all of this. 

Interesting. Particularly the part about the Jets having to “work to convince Byfuglien to return.” You’d think that Byfuglien’s $7.6 million annual contract would provide him with enough incentive to return, but apparently it’s on the Jets to convince the veteran to make good on his contract. 

Now, we've learned that Byfuglien is fighting through a debilitating ankle injury. So... which is it? Does Big Buff want to play, but can't? Or does he truly want to hang them up?