Winnipeg Jets face significant test with Dustin Byfuglien’s injury
The Winnipeg Jets will be without their top defenseman Dustin Byfuglien until after the All-Star break.
The Winnipeg Jets made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season. Even though they lost trade deadline acquisition Paul Stastny, who they hoped to re-sign, during the offseason, they still had high hopes going into the 2018-19 season. The Jets have matched them thus far, as they lead the Central Division. However, they will face a crucial test without one of their best players – Dustin Byfuglien.
Byfuglien, according to the Winnipeg Sun, will be out until at least the All-Star break, and potentially longer. The injury will not require surgery, which is a very good sign. But still, the Jets are going to miss their top defenseman.
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So far this season, Byfuglien has four goals and 25 assists for 29 points in 32 games. His 0.91 points per game had him on pace to shatter his previous career high of 56 points, set back in 2013-14.
Byfuglien is one of the 30 defensemen in the NHL who averages over 18 minutes per game at five-on-five. That’s a lot of minutes for any team to replace. Joe Morrow appears to be the most likely candidate to take his spot in the lineup. Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba, along with Morrow or potentially a call-up, will likely replace Byfuglien’s minutes by committee.
The Jets have yet to recall anyone, but they are expected to recall a defenseman at some point in the near future. This could be a good chance for Sami Niku or Cameron Schilling to get some time in the NHL.
Winnipeg has a tough schedule before the All-Star Break in January. They’ll play nine games before the All-Star Game. Seven of those games come against teams who are currently in a postseason position, including four games against Central Division rivals.
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It’s tough for any team to lose a guy as great as Byfuglien. But this could be an important test for the Jets. The best teams tend to be ones who respond well to adversity. They have enough depth on the right side to replace Byfuglien, or at least tread water without him.