{allcanada} Dustin Byfuglien's extension has widespread effect

 

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Cross one name off the list of the top players who could be traded before the Feb. 29 deadline.

Dustin Byfuglien signed a five-year, $38 million extension with the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, a little more than a week after comments that painted uncertain prospects of him staying.

The Jets are going nowhere this season, but this contract will reverberate throughout the league. A look at some of the takeaways:

For Jets, not bad

The biggest problem with signing any 30-year-old is term. Byfuglien is likely to be productive through his early 30s as a player who can skate well, and he adds a lot of value with his offense. He has been the third-most productive defenseman over the past five years (214 points), trailing Erik Karlsson and P.K. Subban. Byfuglien is also versatile as he's played forward in the past. As for the intangibles, he's a favorite in the locker room. The $7.6 million cap hit is third behind Subban and Shea Weber among NHL blueliners. But again, the Jets paid up because his abilities are unique and he's beloved in Winnipeg.

Andrew Ladd, start packing your bags

Media reports have indicated that the Jets would choose between Ladd and Byfuglien. As this team rebuilds, it makes little sense to lock up a second player well into his 30s. The Jets need to acquire more assets, and Ladd, the Jets' captain, will command them as a player who has won a Stanley Cup and has history as a solid contributor. Ladd has struggled this year, though, posting 13 goals and 30 points. The 21-goal, 47-point pace would be his worst since 2009-10. Winnipeg doesn't have a history of spending up to the cap, either.

Good news for Keith Yandle

And bad news for the New York Rangers' little hopes of keeping him on Broadway past this season. Dan Hamhuis is the other big-name rental defenseman on the market, but Yandle's offensive skills will be coveted now (he has a $2.625 million cap hit) and this offseason. That list of most productive defensemen over the past five years? Yandle is sixth. He won't turn 30 until September, and he plays a less physical game than Byfuglien. He should be able to get $6.5 million as a free agent. Unless the Rangers move Dan Girardi or Marc Staal, their cap situation likely won't allow them to retain Yandle.

Contenders miss out

Imagine the Los Angeles Kings with Byfuglien. That would be unfair. What about the Florida Panthers? His addition could have vaulted them into another tier in the Eastern Conference. You can bet a number of contenders were monitoring this situation because Byfuglien has many qualities (physicality, size, offense, experience) that playoff teams desire.

What's next for Jacob Trouba?

Starting next season, the Jets will have nearly $19 million committed to defensemen Byfuglien, Toby Enstrom and Tyler Myers. Trouba, a restricted free agent this offseason, might be too pricey. According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the ultra-talented Trouba initially asked for $7 million per season on an eight-year deal. He could end up being the odd man out among fellow right-handed shots Byfuglien and Myers. Trouba, 21, could fetch a massive return.

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