Dustin Byfuglien doesn't appear likely to play an NHL game this season, but he's suddenly an intriguing option ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline.
The Winnipeg Jets are reportedly attempting to exhaust all options on potential deals for the imposing rearguard, and talks with suitors have picked up in recent days.
Byfuglien is involved in an ongoing dispute with the Jets, who suspended him for failing to report to training camp in September. However, he could provide another team with a big boost on the back end in 2020-21, assuming he chooses to resume his career and fully recovers from the ankle surgery he underwent in October.
Here are a few clubs that would be wise to acquire the veteran blue-liner:
Florida Panthers
Bill Smith / National Hockey League / Getty
The Panthers are Byfuglien's most logical possible landing spot for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, he'd be reunited with Florida head coach Joel Quenneville. The 34-year-old defenseman played for "Coach Q" over two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and won a Stanley Cup championship under Quenneville in 2010. Whether both sides would be amenable to the move remains to be seen, but a reunion would make a lot of sense.
Secondly, the Panthers need to improve on the back end. If Byfuglien can be anywhere close to his usual game-changing self in South Florida, he'd be a welcome addition and would bolster a defense corps that currently ranks near the bottom of the league in goals allowed per game.
Minnesota Wild
Bruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / Getty
The Wild would be another natural fit for Byfuglien. He was born and raised in Minnesota, and is quite familiar with the Central Division club, having gone up against the Wild for years as a member of both the Blackhawks and Jets.
He'd also fit right in with Minnesota's defense-first approach while giving the team yet another rearguard who can both provide physicality and create offense.
Like the Panthers, the Wild have plenty of salary committed to blue-liners. However, Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin can let newly acquired forward Alex Galchenyuk and his $4.9-million cap hit walk in the summer to help accommodate Byfuglien's $7.6-million figure for 2020-21.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star / Getty
It's no secret that the Maple Leafs are looking to address their defensive group. While Byfuglien probably won't help them down the stretch in 2019-20, he could give Toronto exactly what it's missing if he's healthy and interested in playing next season.
On the back end, the Leafs could be thin on the right side in 2020-21. Tyson Barrie is a pending unrestricted free agent, while Justin Holl and Timothy Liljegren are Toronto's only right-handed defensemen under contract beyond this season.
The obvious hurdle would be the cap, as the Leafs likely won't have as many contracts buried on long-term injured reserve by the time next season rolls around. However, as unlikely as they may be, there are several scenarios - including contract termination and renegotiation, as well as salary retention by Winnipeg in exchange for an asset - that might allow a cap-constrained club like Toronto to make a deal work.
Sure, the Maple Leafs could be better served acquiring a younger rearguard with a less complicated contact situation, and Byfuglien would need to prove he's in game shape after sitting out a full campaign, barring a desire to play in 2019-20. But if everything checks out and he suits up next season, his mere presence would give Toronto a significant upgrade.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is in contact with interested teams, and talks have picked up in recent days, reports Seravalli.
The veteran blue-liner, who'll turn 35 in March, is reportedly still a long shot to play this season. He's sat out the entire campaign amid a dispute with the team over his injury status. The Jets suspended him in September for not reporting to training camp.
Byfuglien and the Jets were working toward terminating his contract in early February but Winnipeg waited to do so while exploring potential deals.
While his $7.6-million cap hit came off the Jets' books when they suspended him, that number has theoretically been reduced to a prorated $1.84 million with 45 days remaining in the regular season.
Byfuglien is signed through 2020-21 and owed $6 million in base salary next season.
Malgin has four goals and 12 points in 36 games with the Panthers this season. Florida's fourth-round selection in 2015 has amassed 28 goals and 60 points in 184 career games. He was teammates with Leafs forward Auston Matthews in Zurich during the 2015-16 campaign.
The 23-year-old is averaging 12:21 of ice time this season. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said Malgin's agent asked several times for his client to be traded out of Florida, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
Marchment, 24, has appeared in four career NHL games - all this season - while recording one assist. The undrafted forward has played in 124 contests with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, scoring 38 goals and adding 32 assists.
Both players are set to become restricted free agents at the end of the season.
L.A. acquired a second-round pick in both 2020 and 2021 in return, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
Martinez, 32, is under contract through the 2020-21 season and carries an annual cap hit of $4 million.
The 6-foot-1 rearguard leads the Kings in blocked shots (85) and ranks second in average ice time (21:31 per game). He's contributed one goal and eight points through 41 contests.
Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.
We're coming off our first losing night in a while after finishing 1-2 on Tuesday, though we hit on our best bet and also our trend of the night, which would have taken you to 2-2 if you followed (I didn't).
Let's return to winning ways on Wednesday.
GOATs and scapegoats
Andrei Svechnikov is the gift that keeps on giving. We've backed the Carolina Hurricanes several times in this space, and he's produced some big goals for us. Last night was no different, with Svechnikov potting the game-winner in Nashville.
New York Rangers/Chicago Blackhawks under 6.5 (-110)
This is an awfully high total that's based more off of both team's perceived style and not actual results. The Rangers have won five straight on the road, allowing just seven goals over those games. They're playing great outside of New York, and the Blackhawks are similarly excelling on the road.
However, Chicago is in the midst of a 6-11 run at home while scoring two or fewer goals in six of the team's last eight contests at the United Center. Getting 6.5 is a gift.
New York Islanders/Colorado Avalanche under 5.5 (+100)
It's been a miserable week for the Islanders, who probably can't wait to return home. They're 0-3 on their current western road trip while being outscored 8-1. That moves the Islanders to 1-8 in their last nine road games against Western Conference teams, a stretch when they've scored just nine goals. Not coincidentally, the under is 8-1 in those games.
Pavel Francouz will start again for the Avalanche after allowing just one goal in a 1-0 loss when these teams met in New York last month. All signs point to another defensive struggle here.
Minnesota Wild/Vancouver Canucks over 5.5 (-110)
I was really tempted to take the Wild at plus-money in this spot, but sticking with the theme of the day, let's look at the total instead.
Minnesota is struggling defensively on the road while allowing four-plus goals in six of its last nine games, and we know the Canucks can score. The over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings between these clubs north of the border.
The Wild hit the road for the first time in close to two weeks here, and getting away from home should benefit a desperate team fighting for its playoff life. Look for Minnesota's offense to bounce back after the San Jose Sharks shut out the Wild on Saturday.
Best bet
Florida Panthers/Anaheim Ducks over 6 (-120)
Give me this over all day and twice on Sundays. The Panthers have allowed three-plus goals in seven of their last eight road games, and they've scored four-plus goals in six of their last seven away clashes against Western Conference squads. In fact, Florida's last seven nonconference road games have all gone over the total, with an average of 8.4 goals scored.
The Ducks are on their own 5-1 run to the over on home ice while giving up four-plus goals in four of their last six in Anaheim. They've scored three-plus goals in seven of their nine home games against Eastern Conference teams this season, and have notched three-plus markers in five straight matchups against Florida, including in a 5-4 away loss to the Panthers earlier this season.
There were a number of pretty overwhelming trends to pick from today, but this one undoubtedly takes the cake. The Coyotes last won in Dallas on Feb. 7, 2012. Arizona has also lost eight of its last nine on the road, scoring two or fewer goals in seven of those games. Laying -160 might be a lot, but the Stars are certainly in play tonight.
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.
The Edmonton Oilers promoted defenseman Evan Bouchard from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors and placed fellow rearguard Oscar Klefbom on injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.
Klefbom, 26, is expected to miss two-to-three weeks with a shoulder injury.
Bouchard won't be available Wednesday against the Boston Bruins, but is expected to see game action soon, according to head coach Dave Tippett, per the team.
The 20-year-old Bouchard is considered the Oilers' top defense prospect. He's contributed seven goals and 33 points through 50 games with Bakersfield this season.
Bouchard also mustered one goal in a seven-game stint with the Oilers during 2018-19. The Ontario native was selected 10th overall by Edmonton at the 2018 NHL Draft.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward is expected to be sidelined six months after undergoing successful knee surgery Wednesday, the club announced.
Johnsson suffered the injury during his team's 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday after awkwardly colliding with teammate Kasperi Kapanen.
The 25-year-old winger, who missed 15 games earlier this season with a separate leg injury, contributed eight goals and 21 points in 43 games.
Toronto traded for a depth forward with NHL experience Wednesday, acquiring center Denis Malgin from the Florida Panthers in exchange for winger Mason Marchment.
With the trade deadline less than a week away, theScore's NHL editors debate some hypothetical deals. In this exercise, each member of the team - Josh Wegman, Josh Gold-Smith, Sean O'Leary, Matt Teague, and Brandon Maron - submitted a trade for debate, with the other editors voting on the proposal. Wegman provided the analysis for each swap.
Leafs add blue-line help
Bruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / Getty
Submitted by Teague
Leafs receive: D Matt Dumba, F Ryan Hartman
Wild receive: F Kasperi Kapanen, F Jeremy Bracco, 2020 2nd-round pick
Editor
Who says no?
Gold-Smith
Leafs
Maron
Wild
O'Leary
Wild
Teague
Both say yes
Wegman
Wild
The Leafsfinally get a right-handed defenseman, but Dumba isn't without his flaws. Though the 25-year-old has a heavy shot, his production has dried up this season and his isolated impact at five-on-five over the last four seasons remains an area of concern.
As illustrated in the chart below, Dumba has consistently allowed opponents to fire an above-average number of shots from traditionally high-danger areas over the past four seasons. Also, his overall impact in the offensive zone appears somewhat below par.
HockeyViz.com
It's entirely possible Dumba could flourish playing for an offensive juggernaut like Toronto, especially with Morgan Rielly as his potential partner when the latter returns from injury. Dumba also has term locked in at $6 million a season through 2022-23.
One of the two protection formats for the 2021 expansion draft involves shielding three defensemen, so it wouldn't be surprising if Minnesota wanted to move someone in its top four. Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon aren't going anywhere, which leaves either Dumba or Jonas Brodin.
The speedy Kapanen gives Minnesota a much-needed right-handed shot up front, and someone who could potentially excel with more ice time. He had 44 points a year ago and is on pace for a similar mark despite playing a third-line role. Toronto would miss the offensive depth he provides, but the addition of Hartman would help ease that blow.
Bracco, 22, has lost much of his prospect shine this season, but he's just a year removed from a 79-point season in the AHL.
Minnesota may want to hold off on moving Dumba until next season so he can restore some of his trade value, but this offer from Toronto would certainly give GM Bill Guerin lots to think about.
Avs, Hawks pull off blockbuster
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Submitted by Wegman
Avalanche receive: G Robin Lehner, F Brandon Saad
Blackhawks receive: 2020 1st-round pick, 2021 3rd-round pick (becomes 2nd if Lehner re-signs), F Tyson Jost, D Conor Timmins
Editor
Who says no?
Gold-Smith
Avalanche
Maron
Avalanche
O'Leary
Blackhawks
Teague
Avalanche
Wegman
Both say yes
Does Avalanche GM Joe Sakic really want to ride or die with Pavel Francouz as his netminder if Philipp Grubauer is out longer than expected? As good as Francouz has been, the answer is probably no. Even if Grubauer returns soon, he's only been mediocre this season. An upgrade would be worthwhile for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, and Lehner is one of the league's best goalies - he's just been stuck behind an awful defensive team in Chicago.
The Blackhawks may want to re-sign Lehner given that he's the better of their two goalies on expiring deals. With this move, they'd still have a chance to bring him back this summer, and if not, they'll get a better draft pick.
Saad would give Colorado an effective, middle-six forward. He has 18 goals in 47 games while posting some strong underlying numbers. The price tag for the 27-year-old is high because he has an additional year left on his contract, but the Avs could use the secondary scoring.
It's worth it for Chicago to part ways with Saad based on the return package. He's essentially replaced by Jost, who hasn't found his scoring touch in the pros yet. Timmins was picked 32nd overall in 2017 and would give the Hawks some much-needed youth on the blue line.
Oilers snag Athanasiou
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Submitted by O'Leary
Oilers receive: F Andreas Athanasiou (Detroit retains 50% of Athanasiou's cap hit)
Red Wings receive: F Jesse Puljujarvi (RFA), 2020 2nd-round pick
Editor
Who says no?
Gold-Smith
Both say yes
Maron
Both say yes
O'Leary
Both say yes
Teague
Both say yes
Wegman
Red Wings
Athanasiou is having a bad season, but who on the Red Wings isn't? The 25-year-old scored 30 goals a year ago and will be a restricted free agent at season's end. He can absolutely fly and would fit on one of Edmonton's top two lines with ease. There's familiarity too, as Oilers GM Ken Holland drafted Athanasiou in 2012.
Would this be enough for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to part ways with Athanasiou? It would depend on how much he values Puljujarvi. The 21-year-old has yet to prove he's a legitimate NHL player, but he's excelled overseas this season and is still oozing with upside. Given Puljujarvi's uncertainty, Yzerman may require a first-rounder to part with Athanasiou while he's still under club control.
Pageau heads south
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Submitted by Maron
Stars receive: F Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Senators receive: 2020 1st-round pick, D Julius Honka
Editor
Who says no?
Gold-Smith
Stars
Maron
Both say yes
O'Leary
Stars
Teague
Stars
Wegman
Both say yes
Pageau is the best rental center available, and he's frankly one of the only quality pivots on the open market. He's going to be in demand - and not just because he's already notched 20 goals this season - but he's been a very reliable defensive center his entire career, capable of producing offense in spurts.
Pageau's career numbers - both basic stats and analytics - are similar to those of Kevin Hayes, who was dealt for a first-round pick, a conditional fourth-round pick, and Brendan Lemieux at last year's deadline.
Pageau would be a nice fit on the defensive-minded Stars, who could use another center on their quest for a Stanley Cup. Giving up what's expected to be a late first-round pick, along with Honka - an unsigned RFA playing overseas who had demanded a trade - seems more than manageable.
The Sens would gladly take another first-rounder and a young defenseman with some upside.
Bruins land Kovalchuk
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Submitted by Gold-Smith
Bruins receive: F Ilya Kovalchuk
Canadiens receive: 2020 conditional third-round pick (becomes a second if Boston makes Eastern Conference Final)
Editor
Who says no?
Gold-Smith
Both say yes
Maron
Canadiens
O'Leary
Canadiens
Teague
Bruins
Wegman
Both say yes
Last season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney added Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson before the deadline to help the club's forward depth without surrendering a first-rounder. Coyle remains with the club, but Johansson is gone and was never replaced. What will Sweeney do this year?
Boston is in dire need of an upgrade to its second line. Karson Kuhlman, who has just one goal this season, currently owns a top-six forward role. Kovalchuk has cooled off a bit lately, but he'd still be a major upgrade over Kuhlman at a reasonable cost.
The Canadiens could hang on to Kovalchuk to try and re-sign the veteran forward. However, considering they got him for virtually nothing, it'd be smart for them to try to acquire whatever assets they could for him, and then potentially attempt to bring him back this summer.
