Arizona Coyotes Shopping For Free Agent D-men 2016

Dustin Byfuglien – Winnipeg Jets

Mar 31, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien (33) battles with New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello (36) during the third period at MTS Centre. New York Rangers win 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Winnipeg will be having some head scratching to do in determining who to keep and who will go. Captain Andrew Ladd , Ondrej Pavelac, and Byfuglien will be free agents. Add to that, Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, and Michael Hutchinson will be restricted free agents. The Jets won’t be receiving any free money from Donald Trump, so they will be perplexed about what to do with BIG Byfuglien. The 30 year-old former forward, turned defenseman will be increasing his bank account by a hefty $6 million this season, and will look to better that if he can. He may just need to find greener pastures, since Winnipeg will have other players to satisfy as well.

At 6’ 5”, 260 lbs., Dustin is quite the intimidating force on the ice. He may be known as an intimidator, but he also is a good skater considering his huge frame. He possesses good offensive skills, and instincts and plays lots of minutes. He may lack discipline and consistency, but not many NHL teams would turn down the chance to have him on their blue-line. His blasting slap shots from the point have got to give opposing goalies nightmares, and he knows it, thus his salary demands will be met by some team.

Will that team be the Arizona Coyotes? It’s probably a bit too rich for the Coyotes’ appetite. They have the cap space, but apparently don’t have the green light from ownership to start spending closer to the cap limit. It may hurt their chances to advance, especially with the young talent breaking into their lineup the next several years. You get what you pay for.

Next: Alex Goligoski