from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

Winnipeg remains in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Western Conference despite major injury issues. They’re missing four regular defensemen in Jacob Trouba, Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, and Mark Stuart. None is expected back soon. The Jets are also without Evander Kane, their dynamic left wing, until next month because of a lower-body injury.

They’d be in a whole lot of trouble had Dustin Byfuglien not been working his stuff at both ends of the rink this season. In this way, Byfuglien will deserve Hart Trophy consideration if the Jets qualify for the postseason for the first time since arriving in Winnipeg.

Byfuglien is type of hard-to-find hybrid (San Jose’s Brent Burns being another) that teams will continue to chase because of their value and versatility. In one unique, XXL package, Byfuglien is a body-smashing power forward and a smooth-moving defenseman who can play in all situations while occupying just one roster spot.

Byfuglien started the season up front because of Winnipeg’s depth on defense. The Jets’ best lineup had Byfuglien and Kane flanking young pivot Mark Scheifele, giving the line skill, speed, and power. When the Jets went on the power play, Byfuglien moved back to the point to maximize his vision and puck-pounding slap shot.

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