Report: At least two teams still interested in extremely skilled defenseman.

He might not be off the trading block just yet.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 8 years ago
Report: At least two teams still interested in extremely skilled defenseman.

It sounded like it was a done deal that Andrew Ladd was going to be the man on the outs in Winnipeg but significant interest in Dustin Byfuglien may impact how the Jets move forward.

ESPN hockey insider Pierre Lebrun has revealed that two teams are still making a big push to acquire Big Buff, and frankly just thinking of him on either roster is a very scary thought. Up first, the Los Angeles Kings.

“Well, because I think from the sources I’ve spoken to that the Kings have already indicated their interest in him to the Jets, first of all," said Lebrun as per Nichols on Hockey.

“But it also makes perfect sense when you look at it. They’ve never replaced Slava Voynov. That whole on the right side has continued to exist to this day. They’ve done really well – Alec Martinez, who is a left-handed defenseman, but can play the right side, has, I think, played the best hockey of his career this year.

“But adding a natural top-4 rightie there would put everyone back in the right box, I think. And frankly, would put them right there – right there – with Chicago as the top two teams in the West heading into the playoffs."

As scary as a Kings roster with Byfuglien would be, I think this might be even scarier, Lebrun on the possibility of Byfuglien in Dallas.

“I think the Dallas Stars would be in that group as well. I think that Dallas wants a top defenseman – another top defenseman – and I think that they would definitely look into it."

However despite the fact that both the teams may be pursuing Byfuglien more so than any others, Lebrun believes just about every GM would take a look if he did hit the trade market. Furthermore while Jets fans may want to keep Byfuglien and trade Ladd, the return for a player like Byfuglien could be much, much greater.

“But who knows how long that list of teams would be because I would argue that if the Jets can’t re-sign Byfuglien in Winnipeg and he goes on the market, he might be the No. 1 sought-after rental in this year’s trade deadline because of his unique talent set. I mean, it’s good enough just to be one of the better right-handed defensemen in the league – that’s impressive enough. But on top of that, his physical acumen and offensive star power – I mean, he’s got the kind of package that very few defensemen in the league have.

“The Jets would get a pretty good asset haul, I think, even for an expiring contract, if they can’t re-sign him.”

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