WINNIPEG - A few rare smiles crossed Dustin Byfuglien’s face as reporters crowded around him after practice Tuesday.
[b]Authentic David Williams Jersey[/b] .The Winnipeg Jets defenceman is enjoying a season thats brought him accolades from the NHL and praise from his teammates and coach for being a special player.The NHL’s first star of the week after collecting six points in four games, Byfuglien will take part in the league’s all-star game in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.The recognition is coming during a season he says has him feeling more confident and settled in his personal and professional life.Byfuglien was married last summer to long-time girlfriend Emily Hendry, and in early December head coach Paul Maurice moved him from forward to his preferred position on defence after injuries felled a number of blue-liners.I think making her my wife finally has helped out and made things good, he said with a smile. I think just all around. Just going back to defence, I just like getting out of my bed and just going to work. It’s something that I enjoy and just kept going with it.The Jets (25-14-8) are on a four-game win streak as they get set to host Columbus (20-21-3) on Wednesday for their last game before the all-star break. They hold the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference, five points ahead of Calgary.The 29-year-old Byfuglien said there’s absolutely no doubt he’s playing better defence than in the past.Former Jets head coach Claude Noel had moved Byfuglien to forward in early January 2014. When Noel was fired a few days later and replaced by Maurice, the new coach kept him in that spot.Byfuglien noted the Jets have been playing different systems with Maurice and that’s had an impact on everyone.As a team we’ve changed our game so much, he said. The way we play, and the way we played back then, it’s way different. We feed off each other and you can make plays.And the six-foot-five, 260-pound Byfuglien has been making plays and putting up points.In 47 games, he has 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points. But 20 of those points have come in the 21 games he’s played defence since Dec. 5.He’s unlike anyone, Jets forward Blake Wheeler said of Byfuglien. He’s special in a lot of ways.That includes Byfuglien’s physical presence, but also his instincts on the ice and the way he reads plays and intercepts pucks, Wheeler explained.He’s been dominant since he’s been back on (defence) especially, and he’s been a huge reason for our success.Byfuglien hasn’t really changed this season, but he may be feeling better about the way his game is viewed, Wheeler said.I think he’s just comfortable now and I think he feels appreciated, he said. I think he felt under-appreciated before, you know, with a lot of the things he does and the things he tries to do.It can be frustrating as a player to come to work everyday and, kind of, it’s almost like a puppy. You hit him on the head and he keeps coming back for love, and if you don’t get it, it can sometimes wear on you a little bit.I think this year he feels appreciated, he feels like what he does is impactful on what we’re trying to do as a team.Byfuglien said he’s been following what Maurice has told him to do since he switched back to defence.Little things. Doing what I do and not get out of the game plan, Byfuglien said. Just stick with it and everything will just come.The player fans love to call Big Buff has also turned up his physical game.Rookie defenceman Ben Chiarot has been paired with Byfuglien and said the veteran is helping him make the transition. His friends and family ask him what Byfuglien is like and he tells them he’s a fun guy who likes to joke around on and off the ice.He also enjoys watching Byfuglien’s physical game.He’s so strong and so much bigger than everyone else, he just manhandles guys out there, Chiarot said. It’s like he’s playing with kids sometimes, so that’s fun to watch and it’s been impressive to see.Maurice said it might not be fair to say Byfuglien is exceeding his expectations on the blue-line.There’s never been a doubt that he’s a special player, he said. He can really do whatever he sets his mind to do.What the future holds for Byfuglien really depends on how having all the defencemen healthy will affect the minutes played, he said. The Blue Jackets contest may feature the return of defenceman Jacob Trouba, who’s missed 16 games with an upper-body injury. Trouba practised Tuesday and is awaiting medical clearance. He’s the last of four key defencemen to return after the rash of injuries.I’m in no hurry to get him out of there by any means, Maurice said. He’s a defenceman right now and he’s one of the best in the league right now so there’s no need to change that.Note: The Jets and CFLs Blue Bombers announced Tuesday that they were unable to finalize a date to host the Heritage Classic outdoor game at Investors Group Field next season and are very hopeful that a date can be secured early in the 2016-17 season.
[b]Broncos Jerseys China[/b] .C. -- Marcus Paige and his North Carolina teammates have endured so many wild swings -- big wins, surprising losses, NCAA drama -- that no one can blame their Hall of Fame coach for wondering whats next.
[b]Authentic Royce Freeman Jersey[/b] .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday.For years, it has seemed that the outfield has been a plentiful supply of productive fantasy performers; it may no longer be quite the same source of offensive production -- perhaps due to an increased emphasis on defensive performance -- but that makes the good ones even more valuable, the best one, most valuable. That most valuable of all players is the Angels Mike Trout, who is in a class by himself. Over the past two seasons, Trout has scored 238 runs, 26 more than anyone else and his 82 stolen bases also leads the majors. His .324 batting average ranks second, while home runs (57) and RBI (180) are Top 25 totals. Put it all together and there is no one more valuable. Pittsburghs Andrew McCutchen and Baltimores Adam Jones are next behind Trout in runs scored over the past couple seasons, but they also bring pop to the plate, speed to the basepaths and hit for average. In McCutchens case, his .322 batting average over the past two seasons ranks third overall behind Miguel Cabrera and Trout. There are a lot of outfield options that come with question marks -- lots of upside too, but definitely question marks. Will Milwaukees Ryan Braun, presumably clean after a PED suspension, still be a masher? Prior to last seasons injury and suspension-shortened campaign, Braun had four straight seasons with at least 25 home runs, 100 RBI and a .300 batting average, with double-digit steals each season, culminating with 30-30 seasons in 2011 and 2012. The Dodgers Yasiel Puig had an immediate impact as a rookie last season, crushing 19 home runs in 382 at-bats, and there is always the concern that such a starburst beginning to a career can lead to a sophomore slump. Its worth banking on talent, and Puig has lots, but beware that he may not automatically pick up where he left off in 2013. Moving away from some of the more volatile picks near the top of the board, there are solid, but not overly exciting, veterans. Matt Holliday is consistent and Cincinnatis Jay Bruce provides reliable power. Even the Yankees Carlos Beltran has been both productive and healthy in the past couple seasons, hitting 56 home runs in more than 1100 at-bats. Other veterans come with some variance, with upside that makes them appealing. Texas Alex Rios is one of five outfielders to have at leastt 40 homers and 40 stolen bases over the past two seasons; the Angels Josh Hamilton had a miserable first season in California, but hes one year removed from a 43 home run season in Texas.
[b]Authentic Sam Jones Jersey[/b]. Injuries have dinged new Yankee Jacoby Ellsbury from time to time, but hes also stolen 50 bases in three different seasons, while Torontos Jose Bautista has played a total of 210 games in the past two seasons, yet has still slugged 55 home runs. If youre looking to invest in potential, you can do far worse than targeting Washingtons Bryce Harper, a supremely-talented 21-year-old who has hit 42 home runs in his first two big league seasons, but also plays so hard that injuries may be inevitable if he doesnt learn how to better pick his spots. Milwaukees Carlos Gomez had a breakthrough year as a 27-year-old in 2013 and he joins Trout as the only outfielders with at least 40 homers and 70 stolen bases over the past two seasons. Pittsburghs Starling Marte swiped 41 bases in his first full season, Tampa Bays Wil Myers showed some power as a rookie, hitting 13 home runs in 335 at-bats. There are maybe a handful of outfielders that have the potential to hit more than 40 home runs and Miamis Giancarlo Stanton -- who has 37 and 34-homer seasons already -- is one of them. Risk with potential is also attached to the Dodgers Matt Kemp, who has missed 145 games over the past two seasons; the Mets Curtis Granderson, who played only 61 games for the Yankees in 2013, but had back-to-back 40-homer seasons prior to that. The Braves Jason Heyward had a 20-20 season in 2012 before injuries cost him 58 games last season, but Heyward has potential to put together a big power season. Cincinnati speedster Billy Hamilton has to have some value, for no other reason than hes the most dangerous base-stealer in a generation. If Hamilton has even passable on-base numbers, his steals will tilt a category. Some other young outfielders that might provide value later in drafts or in deeper leagues include the Angels Kole Calhoun, the Twins Oswaldo Arcia and the Brewers Khris Davis. Scott Cullen can be reached at
Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.
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