Dustin Byfuglien Returns After Missing 16 Games

Dustin Byfuglien will play tonight according to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun, via Twitter. Expect Big Buff to play on the top defensive pairing and get a extensive time on the power play. For the full Winnipeg Jets lines, click here.

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2/1/12: According to Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Sun, via Twitter, Dustin Byfuglien practiced with contact this afternoon. The defenseman, who last played on December 23rd, could be a game-time decision for tomorrow night’s tilt. Stay tuned for a further update.

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1/7/12: Don’t look now but Dustin Byfuglien will miss his fifth consecutive game tonight. When asked by Ted Wyman of The Winnipeg Sun, coach Claude Noel admitted that his top defender will not meet the team in Boston and is “a ways away”.

The earliest Byfuglien would be expected to return is next Thursday, January 12th against the San Jose Sharks. However, Noel’s comments indicate Byfuglien had a setback and has no definite timetable to return.

For now, sit tight and keep him out of your lineup. Once there is an update on his status, we will update you right here.

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12/29/11: This past Tuesday, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was listed as a late scratch. It would later get reported by Gary Lawless of The Winnipeg Free Press, via Twitter, that Byfuglien has been dealing with a nagging lower-body injury (knee). We knew something was clearly bother Big Buff as he took numerous maintenance days over the course of the season.

Apparently this knee injury will actually knock Byfuglien out for a week explains TSN’s Sara Orlesky, via Twitter. The Jets play tonight (which #33 has already been ruled out for) then close out the calendar year Saturday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Byfuglien could return on either Wednesday, January 4th in Montreal against the Canadiens or Thursday, January 5th in Toronto against the Leafs. His exact ETA is unknown.

Currently, the Minneapolis, Minnesota native leads all Jets defensemen in goals (6), assists (18), points (24), PIM (46), PPG (1), PPA (8), SHA (1) and SOG (123). Saying he will be missed offensively is certainly an understatement. Byfuglien also leads all d-men in shots while his 24 points rank fifth in the League at his position.

Check back for a further update on Byfuglien’s status. To see how the Jets’ lines have shaped up without him, click here.