Byfuglien, who has missed 10 games since sustaining a lower-body injury at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 9, was a full participant at practice Monday.

Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien could return to the Winnipeg Jets lineup when they play at the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; ALT, TSN3, NHL.TV).

"I'm feeling good. I'm over sitting and watching," he told the Jets website. "It's exciting to get back on the ice with the guys and start being a part of the team again."

Byfuglien has 15 assists and a plus-4 rating in 28 games but has not scored after being fifth among NHL defensemen with 70 goals over the previous four seasons.

Coach Paul Maurice said he wants Byfuglien to play the way he was before the injury.

"He's made a huge adjustment in his game and we've asked him to. We were one of the worst teams in the National Hockey League for odd-man rushes last year," Maurice said. "I don't know if it's still true today, but last week, we were the best team. Part of that is our D being more patient.

"[Pinching is] a big part of his game and a big part of how he scores goals. He's pulled that back, and he's a proud man and I'm sure it bothers him because he wants to put pucks in the net, but he's doing what we're asking him to do, and I'd like him to come back into the lineup the way he left it."

The Jets are in first place in the Central Division (23-11-6). They went 6-3-1 without Byfuglien.

Center Mark Scheifele, whose 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) are second on Winnipeg, is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after sustaining an upper-body injury against the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 28.