Blackhawks: I’ll take Dustin Byfuglien back – under this condition

Today, Dustin Byfuglien’s contract with the Jets was terminated. He is now free to sign with any team he would like if any.

The former Chicago Blackhawks‘ forward/defensemen Dustin Byfuglien is now on the free-agent market again. The 35-year-old defensemen could find his way back to Chicago, which I am fine with, under one condition.

That one condition is a cheap, one year contract. If Byfuglien signs even a two-to-three-year deal with the Blackhawks, they’d be forced to count his payroll to the salary cap if he decided to hang up the skates. So, a one year deal is perfect, especially coming off of an injury.

This contract can’t be over $2,000,000. There can’t be any “no movement clauses” either. If Byfuglien isn’t performing well, they could get him off of the books in a trade. That trade also gives the team either a prospect of a draft pick.

If Byfuglien returns to Chicago, there isn’t room for him on defense. He’d have to be willing to return to forward, a spot where he’d do well with this team.

The Blackhawks need forwards, more specifically, bottom-six forwards. A big guy with the skill of Byfuglien could change many things for the team. If they somehow found themselves in the playoffs next season, Byfuglien’s net-front presence could increase scoring chances for the team.

So, a healthy, aggressive Byfuglien, for one season, sign me up. If Chicago has to overpay for him, it’s a no-go for me. They have their fair share of bad contracts. A cheap Byfuglien for one season could even out a few of them.

So… Will this happen? Or are fans just hyping up a chance for nothing? The fans have been very disappointed in free agency during the past few years. Don’t let this be the same thing.