Injury Report: Big Buff Discussion

[surixon]

It happens in business everyday. I've personally gone through it myself and I've been on the management side multi times.......it happens. No biggie, time to move on. Crying about it solves nothing.

Agreed, at the end of the day its a business and things can happen in big business. I don't hold any ill will against either party, but Buff was in breach of his deal and the team had to protect its interests via suspension.

No idea what happened behind scenes after but its best to just move on for both parties. Cap space is an incredibly valuable commodity and if handled correctly the Jets can plug a hole or two this summer with it.

What I heard that I didn't like was about trying to reward the team with a boost. I get trying to do right by the players but management needs to understand that we aren't close to being a good team right now and a rental aint going to change that. A move for a piece that fills a need long term, now that I would consider.

 

[Bob E]

Yeah Buff wont have much trade value.


If Jets can use his cap space to get a dmen during off season.

Or even this year if the dman has terms will be ok


Off limit

55
34
44
29
27
81
1st round pick

Rest are in play.

Lipon is off limits?

 

[Hunter368]

Agreed, at the end of the day its a business and things can happen in big business. I don't hold any ill will against either party, but Buff was in breach of his deal and the team had to protect its interests via suspension.

No idea what happened behind scenes after but its best to just move on for both parties. Cap space is an incredibly valuable commodity and if handled correctly the Jets can plug a hole or two this summer with it.

What I heard that I didn't like was about trying to reward the team with a boost. I get trying to do right by the players but management needs to understand that we aren't close to being a good team right now and a rental aint going to change that. A move for a piece that fills a need long term, now that I would consider.

100% agree.

I've been in these situations many times in management, other staff (in this case fans) are outraged they want to know details of what's happening behind the scenes......well guess what you don't get to know b/c it's none of people's business except the business & the employee. I'll also add in most/many cases the employee is legally bound by a agreement to keep quite about the situation or he/she can be found legally in the wrong and there will be negative consequences. This (generally speaking) is a private matter between the employer & employee and should stay private. We may never know the details of this exact situation and I'm fine with that. At times two good people or a good company & good person have dealings that just don't workout and both are better off going in different directions. Whether Buff retires or plays for another team I wish him luck......I enjoyed him as a player while he was here.

 

[drumzan]

Big Buff claimed his current injury was hockey related and his union's grievance is that the Jets should be paying him while he recovers. An amicable settlement of the grievance could mean the Jets will pay him for the entire 2019-2020 season, but not for the final year of his contract.

I sensed that Big Buff and Andrew Ladd were really close and when Ladd signed with the Islanders, with Blake Wheeler being named the captain, Buff wasn't gung ho with that decision.

I had this exact same thought today too. I think Ladd was a bigger asset than we thought, in terms of keeping Buff happy.

 

[Ducky10]

Using cynicism as the basis for your argument is intellectually lazy. I’m not angry with Buff (because I’m an adult), but this entire situation is on him. To blame, point fingers or attempt to hold anyone with the Jets responsible is nothing short of asinine.

 

[Teppo Numenor]

Buff? Buff who, sounds familiar, I moved on long ago

 

[ffh]

There is no asset anymore. Teams don’t give up assets for a guy ready to call it a career. Buff hasn’t skated in 10 months and doesn’t seem anywhere near committing to rehabbing to the point of returning. At this point cap space is the asset Chevy needs to secure. Even if you have given up on this season there is next season to consider.

What's the rush now. Chevy ruined this year. Why not wait till the summer. There still would be a chance he would want to play and we could trade him then. Cap space now that we are almost eliminated means nothing. Buff agrees to this cause he wants to play for another team and for us not to at least wait till summer is crazy. We're not gaining anything here. There is no indication that buff wants to call it a career only that he wants to call it a career here. If he wants to play teams will be lining around the block to sign him to at least a 2 year contract. Letting him walk for nothing is the dumbest thing Chevy has done and he has done alot of dumb things. If buff doesnt want to play then he should have made it part of the agreement he has to retire. But he want to play elsewhere and we are going to get nothing out of it.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

Whatever happens, I just want this done, so so tired of this. Just go Byfuglien, just go.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

I had this exact same thought today too. I think Ladd was a bigger asset than we thought, in terms of keeping Buff happy.

You know I always wondered how Buff and Wheeler got along. I never got the impression they were terribly tight.

In retrospect, when the rebuild started with the Ladd trade, Buff should have been dealt with him. Other than fluking out and getting Laine, we never really did a proper rebuild. Getting Dano and Stanley for Ladd was a failure.

You could even argue Wheeler could have been dealt at the time. That could have netted us about three first round draft picks, a couple prospects and a strong roster player or two. The possibilities actually could have been endless.

Chevy put too much faith in the Atlanta holdovers.

 

[Gil Fisher]

So I'm guessing Buff hits the waiver wire tomorrow?

 

[ps241]

Meanwhile, McIntyre is still chasing down some killer quotes from Alex Steen. Why do the local media have no clue about what's going on with the team while TO based reporters seem to get the scoops?

In any case, I think this makes sense, particularly if Buff isn't that interested in playing again. The Jets need clarity on the situation and the cap space to make some moves this year or in the off-season.

But I am sure going to miss Buff. One of my favorite players all-time.

Buff is (was) my favourite Jet by a long shot. This is a sad day for me but life rolls on.

 

[Scheifele55]

I am very disappointed how things ended in Winnipeg and I don't blame management.

 

[Scheifele55]

You know I always wondered how Buff and Wheeler got along. I never got the impression they were terribly tight.

In retrospect, when the rebuild started with the Ladd trade, Buff should have been dealt with him. Other than fluking out and getting Laine, we never really did a proper rebuild. Getting Dano and Stanley for Ladd was a failure.

You could even argue Wheeler could have been dealt at the time. That could have netted us about three first round draft picks, a couple prospects and a strong roster player or two. The possibilities actually could have been endless.

Chevy put too much faith in the Atlanta holdovers.

You are disappointed that Andrew Ladd turned into Marko Dano who fans here were excited to get and Logan Stanley. I am not sure what you expected since Andrew Ladd's career went into a downfall the year he was dealt. Marko Dano was hopefully a blossoming forward who would smash his 21 points in 35 games during his rookie year. It is contradictory that you want the Jets to trade their stars for draft picks but complain about the Jets draft choices when Logan Stanley is the first, 1st round draft pick miss so far. Going through a massive rebuild there would have gutted the team of any leadership and they would be another Quebec Nordiques of the early 1990's. The fans were souring on the team and us fluking into Patrik Laine re-invigorated the fan base. At the time we had to choose between re-signing Byfuglien or Ladd. The possibility of dealing both wasn't really discussed. Dealing Blake Wheeler was NEVER discussed back then. The Jets defense then without Byfuglien would have never made it to the conference finals.

You really think dealing Wheeler would have netted the team 3 1st round picks, a couple of prospect and a strong roster player or two or do you mean dealing Byfuglien also? I think that is all wishful thinking.

 

[Scheifele55]

I had this exact same thought today too. I think Ladd was a bigger asset than we thought, in terms of keeping Buff happy.

Keeping Byfuglien and Ladd wasn't an option then. I don't believe there was any correlation and keeping Ladd would have set the team back. His last year with the team was his worst with us, and he further regressed. We would have had to make even more big changes to afford Ladd's bloated 7 year $38.5 contract. Who would we have lost to keep him? If Byfuglien was attached to Ladd to the point he wanted him to stay, then it is for the best that he is gone now because this team would be much worse off had they kept Ladd.

 

[Jet]

I said before that he was very unhappy with maurices choices. Especially keeping trouba on the PP over him when trouba telegraphs worse then pionk.

And I think that buff knew how bad the defense was going to be and didnt want to push his ankle either.

There is a few things that led into this but really buff is leaving 18 mil on the table to not play for maurice.

This is a ridiculous theory.

 

[PhilJets]

Lipon is off limits?

What number is Helly again ?

37

34

 

[roccerfeller]

Will be sad for me to see Buff go. One of my favourite nhl players, let alone jets

 

[NotCommitted]

I'm a bit perplexed by reading these comments, and it leaves me wondering ? I just can't see a guy like Buff retire, when he has lot's of good hockey in him, and leave a "huge" pile of money on the table.

Funny, I see Buff just as the kind of guy to retire on a whim when he suddenly feels he'd rather go fishing than work hard at the gym and rink. Not saying that's what happening here, I have no idea. Rehabbing injuries in your thirties is not what it used to be be when you were 22 though

 

[DJBiffWPG]

Getting Dano and Stanley for Ladd was a failure.

This is incorrect.

The value was there at the time for the trade. 1st and a prospect. Stanley was a horrible pick from the moment it was made and Dano was horribly mismanaged by Paul Maurice.

 

[SensibleGuy]

Funny, I see Buff just as the kind of guy to retire on a whim when he suddenly feels he'd rather go fishing than work hard at the gym and rink. Not saying that's what happening here, I have no idea. Rehabbing injuries in your thirties is not what it used to be be when you were 22 though

yeah, I honestly don't understand how anyone who has followed the Jets for the past 9 seasons could be all that surprised at the notion of Buff bailing out early. If someone asked me 2 years ago which Jet I'd bet on doing something like this I'd have said Buff instantly. It strikes me as being totally "Buff-like." That's not to say I'd have bet on it happening. But if anyone was going to do it I'd bet on Buff being the guy...

 

[KingBogo]

What's the rush now. Chevy ruined this year. Why not wait till the summer. There still would be a chance he would want to play and we could trade him then. Cap space now that we are almost eliminated means nothing. Buff agrees to this cause he wants to play for another team and for us not to at least wait till summer is crazy. We're not gaining anything here. There is no indication that buff wants to call it a career only that he wants to call it a career here. If he wants to play teams will be lining around the block to sign him to at least a 2 year contract. Letting him walk for nothing is the dumbest thing Chevy has done and he has done alot of dumb things. If buff doesnt want to play then he should have made it part of the agreement he has to retire. But he want to play elsewhere and we are going to get nothing out of it.

First off we will soon see if teams are waiting around the block to obtain Buff as before any contract termination he will need to be put on waivers and each and every team will have the opportunity to pick him up for free. I think where you are getting caught up is the belief that Buff hold onto significant value. No team will select him as they then have to squeeze in his cap hit of $7.6 M for a player who is fast approaching 35 y/o, who hasn't skated in 10 months, is coming off ankle surgery and has shown no signs of even contemplating returning to the ice.

Second there are several advantages to taking care of business now and terminating Buff's contract and Chevy would be neglecting his responsibilities not to do so. First off any arbitration hearing looks as if it could drag into the summer or even next season as has been reported the NHLPA will stand pat needing Buff to get on the ice and start a conditioning regime necessary to return to NHL hockey before they can proceed. Buff has yet to do this and there is no indication he is prepared to start. Having cap uncertainty this summer is the worst possible position Chevy could put himself in. Why would any GM want to risk that?

Third you add to that there are always advantages to having cap space even if it is unused this season. There are a couple younger top 4 defenseman with term that might be available that you would need space to even contemplate making a deal for. There is the possibility of taking on expiring contracts that are greased with picks and/or prospects so teams can open up space to target their preferred TD acquisitions. Or Chevy can make a more sweeping trade that fixes more than one hole. Hell maybe Chipman pockets the $8 M and runs an operating profit this season. Anyone of these options is better that having this situation drag out into the off season without resolution.

 

[ovythegiraffe]

I say get rid of the other Atlanta core too and just start fresh with the pieces we have. Imagine what we would get for Wheels and Little. Why not go all out.

Then we can finally be the Winnipeg Jets!

Highly doubt Wheeler would be down to move from Winnipeg, or that anyone in the organization would even have the guts to suggest that to him. Little would probably have to play well and without injuries until next seasons trade deadline to have much trade value

 

[Edgar Halliwax]

Too bad it had to end like this. Enjoyed watching him at his best. Glad this is coming to an end for the sake of everyone.

 

[cbcwpg]

Byfuglien will also have to clear waivers...

We will see if any teams are interested in a 35 year old , 260 lbs hockey player, with a bad ankle, who hasn't skated in 10 months, and has only played 42 games over the last 2 years, and was considering retiring.

 

[thejaf7]

100% agree.

I've been in these situations many times in management, other staff (in this case fans) are outraged they want to know details of what's happening behind the scenes......well guess what you don't get to know b/c it's none of people's business except the business & the employee. I'll also add in most/many cases the employee is legally bound by a agreement to keep quite about the situation or he/she can be found legally in the wrong and there will be negative consequences. This (generally speaking) is a private matter between the employer & employee and should stay private. We may never know the details of this exact situation and I'm fine with that. At times two good people or a good company & good person have dealings that just don't workout and both are better off going in different directions. Whether Buff retires or plays for another team I wish him luck......I enjoyed him as a player while he was here.

We should know though. Those of us who are STH's and who help contribute to their revenue pay their salary.