Byfuglien out week to week with lower-body injury

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is out week to week with a lower-body injury and isn't expected to return before Christmas, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters Monday, according to TSN's Sara Orlesky.

The Jets play seven games prior to Christmas, which should be considered the minimum amount of contests he will miss.

The team's already been without his D partner, Toby Enstrom, for the past couple of weeks.

Tucker Poolman, who is pointless in his three career NHL games, is expected to slot into the lineup in Byfuglien's place, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

With zero goals and 15 assists in 28 games this season, Byfuglien was in the midst of a down offensive season, but his presence on the back end will surely be missed.