Big Buff encouraged about future

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This article was published 07/04/2017 (3163 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dustin Byfuglien made a rare appearance in front of microphones Friday afternoon and the Winnipeg Jets star defenceman responded to a variety of questions from the media.

On the club’s strong play of late, despite missing the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons since relocating from Atlanta, and its six-game winning streak heading into tonight’s regular-season finale against the visiting Nashville Predators he said, “We can take a lot of good things out of our second half, to look forward to next year. There’s a lot of good in our game. These last few we’ve been getting some young kids in and giving them the opportunity to get a feel for the NHL.”

What have the Jets done right?

“(We) outscored our opponents. I guess I really haven’t sat down and really watched any of it. But we’ve kept it pretty simple and we didn’t stop working…

“It’s good for our organization going into a summer. Why’d we beat these guys down the stretch at this time of year compared to the middle or beginning of the season? Where our team was from the beginning to the end, we can do a lot of good things with a break.”

Is a late hot streak due to the pressure being off?

“There’s probably more pressure now. Guys fighting for a job next year and guys trying to establish themselves trying to earn that full-time NHL spot. This time of year is one of the toughest times to play. Other teams are getting ready for playoffs. We’re trying to get guys to be an NHL guy.”

What about expectations for next season? Will the Jets be a playoff team?

“It’s way too early to look ahead that far. This year’s not even over. Every locker room changes every year. We’re going to have new guys coming in and some guys going out. That’s the business. We’ve got to wait until it gets closer.”

Was he encouraged by the team’s play?

“Yeah. We’re not far off a playoff spot. Just little things we can work on to get better.”

What was his evaluation of rookie Josh Morrissey and AHL call-up Julian Melchiori, who served as his main defence partners this season?

“(Morrissey) sees the ice unbelievable. He’s a good skater. He really committed himself to establishing himself in the NHL. He had a great year. I got to spend most of the time with him. I had fun. It’s just little things you can teach those guys that I enjoy doing.

“Even (Melchiori) came in and had a pretty good second half. It’s just ‘go out there and have fun’ with these kids. Keep ’em loose and yell at ’em and just have fun. They’ve both done great jobs. Mels came in and (has) done great on that left side for me. That’s one thing that’s nice when you can rely on your partners.”

Is he interested in playing for the American squad at the upcoming world championship?

“We’ll have to cross that path when it comes. I would think they probably will (call), but who knows?”

Are the Jets just an experienced goaltender away from contending?

“You could sit and pick our team apart whichever way you want. We could use some more D, we could use forwards, too. There’s stuff that’s out of our control. We’ve just got to come to work. Who we’ve got is who we’ve got. We’ve just got to make it work.”

Does he support a contract extension for head coach Paul Maurice, who has a year remaining on his current deal?

“Yeah, he should be sticking around. I’m pretty sure I don’t have anything to say on that one. He’s done a pretty good job with these kids, and just teaching us and getting us to pull in the right direction.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14