The Winnipeg Jets and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien have mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

The 35-year-old Roseau, Minnesota native did not play prior to the suspension of the NHL’s 2019-2020 season because of COVID-19.

Last summer Byfuglien was granted a leave of absence by the Jets for personal reasons. When the four-time NHL all-star failed to report to training camp in September he was suspended without pay. Byfuglien filed a grievance challenging the suspension and then underwent surgery for a high ankle sprain in October.

The Jets were not directly involved in the decision-making process on that medical procedure.

Byfuglien, who did not receive any money from the Jets as part of agreeing to resolve his grievance and terminate his contract, is now an unrestricted free agent.

With the contract terminated, the Jets have an additional $7.6 million US in cap space available for 2020-2021.

Byfuglien, one of the Jets most popular players over the years, had been with the organization since its last season in Atlanta in 2010-2011.


photo courtesy Ray Peters