Habs GM Bergevin to take advantage of Jets’ precarious situation on defense

A lot is taking place in Winnipeg, especially since Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien ponders his NHL future as he takes a leave of absence from the club.

Byfuglien is said to be weighing his options at the moment and remains without a timetable for a decision. After the departures of Ben Chariot, Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba during the summer, the state of the Jets’ blue line is precarious, which prompted two Montreal Canadiens insiders to discuss the following speculation when it comes to what the Habs might do to take advantage of the Jets. 

Jean-Charles Lajoie and Yvon Pedneault of TVA Sports believed Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin should look into acquiring restricted free agent forward Patrik Laine. If promising Habs defenseman Cale Fleury proves he can play at the NHL level, the two insiders suggest the Habs can use veteran Jeff Petry as part of the return for Laine. Pedneault also noted Max Domi’s name has been circulating all summer in the rumor mill but doubts the Canadiens will part with him, even for a name like Laine. 

It remains to be seen what the Jets will be able to do in the next few weeks, and what Byfuglien decides what’s best for himself and his family.

However, if Byfuglien retires, the remaining two years ($7.6 million annual average value) of his contract comes off the club’s salary-cap payroll, which would come in handy for the Jets. 

The Jets could also choose to suspend Byfuglien, if he drags his feet on a decision. The team could save daily increments against the cap. Either move would free up cap dollars that could be put toward re-signing Laine and RFA teammate Kyle Connor.

Something would then need to get done about the blue line… maybe the Habs will test the waters with this bold proposal?