Jets GM: 'Lots of moving parts' involved in extending Ladd after Byfuglien deal
The first domino has fallen.
The Winnipeg Jets inked defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year, $38-million contract Monday, quickly shifting the focus to captain Andrew Ladd.
Related: Report: Panthers, Canucks potential suitors if Andrew Ladd goes on trading block
Prior to the five-year commitment the Jets made to the blue-liner Monday, league executives believed Ladd would likely be the odd man out in Winnipeg after the trade deadline.
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff addressed the media Monday about where the club stands on a potential Ladd extension:
#nhljets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff on whether Byfuglien's $38M deal leaves room for captain Andrew Ladd: pic.twitter.com/HXHjjSZfHS
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 8, 2016
Cheveldayoff appears to have some thinking to do, but will need to decide whether to extend or deal the captain relatively quickly as the Feb. 29 trade deadline approaches.
Ladd is in the final year of a five-year, $22-million contract. Meanwhile, the club will have restricted free agents Jacob Trouba, Mark Scheifele, and Michael Hutchinson to contend with this offseason.