Details emerge about Byfuglien’s divorce from the Jets organization

GM Cheveldayoff shares his side of the story and why Big Buff turned his back on the Jets.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 3 years ago
Details emerge about Byfuglien’s divorce from the Jets organization
Zuma Press

In case you missed it this past weekend, the Winnipeg Jets officially cut ties with defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. The two sides agreed to mutually terminate Big Buff’s contract.

Check it out:



Byfuglien is now officially an unrestricted free agent and walks away from the $14 million that was owed to him by the Jets. Incredible.

The sheer mind-boggling amount of cash that Byfuglien walks away from makes you just wonder what the Hell happened in Winnipeg that made him want out so badly?

Well, yesterday Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff finally opened up a bit, juuuuust a little bit, about Byfuglien’s decision to walk away from the team.

Check it out:



Wow… to be honest Chevy sounds like he handled this situation like a total professional. Buff decided he wasn’t going to play on the eve of training camp. Then he had a change of heart. Then he had surgery. Then he had another change of scenery. All the while Cheveldayoff and the Jets are just twisting in the wind and wondering what’s going to happen. 

It goes without saying that there’s still a LOT more to this story that hasn’t been told. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Byfuglien, but it’s worth noting that his wife Emily shared this heartbreaking message with Winnipeggers on Instagram last night:

After 8 years of playing for Winnipeg, this chapter of our life comes to a close
I have nothing but gratitude towards the Jets for an amazing 8 years in Winnipeg. What an awesome experience it has been. From having our first baby here, to now raising 3 kids in this much loved community. We have grown up together and as a family here, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. The support from Winnipeggers has been overwhelming. I appreciate all of you that have reached out to me with support and kindness.
No one can know for certain what their future may bring. I never thought for a second our time here would be cut short under these circumstances. The past 8 months have been the hardest of my life. I struggled to come to terms with the situation. I struggled as a wife and as a mother under the stress. I didn’t want any of it to be true. This has been the only life I’ve known for a long time, and I am beyond devastated to have to leave here. I love this city, and the people in it. I had the best 8 years of Dustin’s NHL career here in Winnipeg.
I am going to miss every second of Dustin playing here. I’ll miss these amazing girls who are some of my absolute best friends. I’ll miss the schools, activities, and sports for the kids. There is just something about Winnipeg that is different. People feel like, and treat you like family, and I’m so grateful to have experienced this.
I will always be a Winnipegger at heart. Thank you so much to this city and the Jets organization for everything.


So… is Buff done? Will he return with another team?

Source: Murat Ates