Free agents took pay cuts to avoid one NHL team

It's well-known that some specific cities are not very popular places for players to want to go.

And as Sportsnet's Ken Wiebe has reported, it was never more evident than in this year's free agency, as multiple free agents took pay cuts from other teams instead of signing with one specific NHL team.

Most notably was former Boston Bruins draft pick Danton Heinen, who signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Calle Jarnkrok, who ended up going to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Just when things couldn't get any worse for the Winnipeg Jets.

First, they missed the playoffs after a very disappointing season after their head coach walked away from the team on his own terms. Then, it was one of their brightest young stars, Pierre-Luc Dubois, who reportedly told the organization that he was leaving when he becomes a UFA in two years.

It was also reported that star centre Mark Scheifele wanted out if there's any chance of a rebuild in Winnipeg, and the team was said to be shopping captain Blake Wheeler.