from Jason Bell of the Winnipeg Free Press,

Josh Morrissey won’t speculate on a hockey life without Dustin Byfuglien, but gets intensely personal when ackowledging how his own rapid growth in the NHL has been due, in large part, to the enormous presence of his fellow Winnipeg Jets blue-liner.

"I miss seeing him every day at the rink. He keeps it light. He keeps it fun," Morrissey said Wednesday morning from Bell MTS Iceplex.

"We’ve developed a cool relationship over the last few years.

"He was one of the big reasons for me stepping in when I first got into the league, and over the years, we’ve become good friends."

Morrissey was part of a trio of Jets offered up to take questions on a report that Byfuglien, currently on a personal leave from the Jets, might be contemplating retirement. TSN’s Bob McKenzie tweeted early Wednesday that Byfuglien, 34, is believed to be taking the time to "ponder his NHL future."

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