"We know that when you have a player ask for some time, and privacy then is paramount in all these, you just open up to all the speculation. I understand that," Maurice said. "Our options are to be completely forthcoming and then open up the question-and-answer period or to do what is almost always done and explain that it's a private matter.
"So I get it, that if you're going to ask the 20 different permutations of what would cause a player to ask for the leave, but again, privacy is paramount, so I won't comment on any speculation."
The Jets are also missing restricted free agent forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, and Maurice said dealing with absences is nothing new.
"It all falls under that blanket you learn and are forced to learn over the course of every year: You have players missing. You just do," Maurice said.
The coach sought a silver lining with Byfuglien, Laine and Connor not in camp.
"So as much as you miss the guys out, and when your top end is missing, over time it's difficult to survive without those guys, you just keep in your mind that the guy coming in is all jacked about his chance," Maurice said. "You're always aware there's a threshold with that. It's more about the guys in the lineup, the belief you can win is critical on any given night, but if you're talking about two or three guys going down, the guys coming in, [their] enthusiasm for that opportunity far outweighs the fear that you may not be strong enough to win on any given night."
