The Winnipeg Jets cut 16 players today, waiving four and reassigning two back to juniors.
The cuts are as follows: John Albert, Joel Armia, Eric Comrie, Chase De Leo, Brendan Kichton, Scott Kosmachuk, Jna Kostalek Andrew MacWilliam, Josh Morrissey, and Ryan Olsen.
Waived are Matt Halischuk, Julian Melchiori, Matt Fraser, and Patrice Cormier.
To Juniors? Nelson Nogier and Brendan Lemieux.
For most of these guys it's picking up the bag, gear and toiletries and going down the hall to the Moose facilities in the MTS Centre and IcePlex but for some there is a chance they get picked up on waivers. The surprise here is probably Armia who seemed to make an impact but faded down the stretch in camp. As disappointing as that is for him and fans hoping for some help form the Kane trade there is good news- Nic Petan still lives with Ehlers, Raffl and Lipon.
The intrigue starts with both Connor Hellebyuck and Michael Hutchinson in camp.
Someone has to go soon.
Does Seabrook Set the Stage for Buff’s Next Deal?
You can look at the two players anyway you like but it matters not to compare them by play. Right now only their contracts matter and Brent Seabrook just signed a big one, the type of deal that might set the stage for Dustin Byfuglien’s next deal in Winnipeg or perhaps elsewhere.
Here is the breakdown from the great website General Fanager
Yes there is the sliding scale of salary with the guaranteed money in signing bonus even if a lockout happens again in 2020- notice the bump to $4 million? It’s all bundled up in the nice round cap number of $6.875 million per year over eight years when Seabrook will be 39.
This is Seabrook on the HERO chart, a great way at looking at what he does from a product stand point. He’s good and he was going to get paid but should his number be part of the conversation for Byfuglien?
There’s Buff and where you see the difference is that bottom three bars, Buff is not as strong for his line mates, but not by much.
Does having three Stanley Cup rings add to the cost of retaining Seabrook? It probably does, but Buff has one too and has been one of the top defensive players on the Jets since Day 1. He also is the only Jet to appear in All-Star games. He’s worth a lot even if you don’t want him to be for the Jets sake. The question is how many other GMs see him as being worth close to what Seabrook just got?
If you told me you would pay Buff for four years at $9 million per which is almost like Seabrook's first 4 years it might make some happy because of the term but would you get $9 million of value from Byfuglien?
The value part is important because if you do not have him what could a team do with that money? GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has to be able to quantify what value is for Byfuglien, and some of that may not appear on the ice. He also has to compare that value to what he can also spend $6.5-7 million in AAV on to help the team.
The basic fact remains that Dustin Byfgulien is going to get paid, and get paid a lot of money.
The Seabrook deal all but assured the inevitable but nothing has really changed for the Chevy, he has to know what he pays for now will keep delivering value for the length of the deal.
I’d be more confident in Seabrook producing at 6-8 years out than Buff, but that’s me.