Blackhawks: I’ll take Dustin Byfuglien back – under this condition
By Ryan Fedrau
![Dustin Byfuglien, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Marianne Helm/Getty Images) Dustin Byfuglien, Chicago Blackhawks (Photo by Marianne Helm/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fblackhawkup-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F517334364-850x560-a832647332710e123a98a28286c7d7ee.jpg)
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.
More. Top 3 Centers during the 2010s. light
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.