Dustin Byfuglien is contemplating his future in the NHL amid a personal leave of absence from the Winnipeg Jets, TSN reported Wednesday.
It's not clear at this point whether the 34-year-old defenseman will return to the team or retire, the report notes, and there's no timetable to expect a decision from Byfuglien. The Jets are expected to give Byfuglien as much time as "he needs to contemplate his future both on and off the ice."
No time table for a decision is an important factor in this story. I’m certain the Jets will give Byfuglien as much time and space as he needs to contemplate his future both on and off the ice. He’s such a big part of the organization. https://t.co/MdX0K7h6qr
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 18, 2019
The Jets granted Byfuglien a personal leave of absence Friday just before the start of training camp.
Jets coach Paul Maurice told TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg that the defenseman will be "fine, but needed some time."
"Let's just put it this way — there’s nothing sinister to this," Maurice said of Byfuglien's leave last week. "You start going down the list and then the process of elimination ... he has his right to privacy in this. Like I said, there's nothing sinister to it. He needs some time and he was given that."
Byfuglien faced injuries last season forcing him to miss some time, but he was productive as he scored 31 points (four goals and 27 assists) in 42 games.
Byfuglien's absence comes as the team already lost three other starting defenseman from last season. Jacob Trouba was traded to the Rangers, while Tyler Myers (Canucks) and Ben Chiarot (Canadiens) both signed with new teams during free agency.