from Gary Lawless of TSN,
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and Byfuglien’s agent Ben Hankinson are working on reaching a contract extension which would keep the defenceman in Winnipeg for several years going forward.
Most guesses have the Jets and Hankinson discussing a five-year term with an annual average value north of $7-million. Talks have increased in regularity over the last few days and there now seems to be a sense of urgency to reach a conclusion. If a deal is going to be worked out, it could happen in the next week.
With the trade deadline set for Feb. 29, time is getting scarce. The Jets need an answer. And that answer will create a ripple effect across the NHL.
The Jets need to know where they stand. Cheveldayoff’s phone continues to ring and teams say his message right now is his focus is on signing Byfuglien and until there is clarity on that front, the future of Ladd can’t be discussed.
Byfuglien, and his decision to stay in Winnipeg or wait and go to free agency in July, is holding up a lot of people.
Cheveldayoff will be prepared for a number of scenarios....
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