Speculation: 2020-21 LA Kings News/Rumors/Roster Discussion Part II

[Sol]

I really hope the King's do not thrust Byfield in a top 6 role.

Eh I don't think it's a big deal if they even put him on the second line. Maclellan has shown that he heavily uses Kopitar so I don't think the 2nd line of the Kings is going to get the same usage of a second line on a competent team.

 

[Matt13]

Yes if the second overall player from the draft doesn't surpass someone like Brown or Iafallo in scoring then the Kings are in trouble. The only way he logically shouldn't is if Maclellan drops the ball on his usage. Outside of the top 5 scoring coming in at 6th was Trevor Moore with 23 points.

You must have really low expectations of Byfield for a team that's complete shit and he shouldn't have much issue outscoring if he's used correctly.

No, I just look at Byfield as this raw kid who is very young and still developing into his man sized frame. I think realistically, any expectation of Byfield to be a top performer this year is premature and reaching for what we hope he can be, not what he is. 2-3 years from now, if he is not tearing it up, I agree, we are in trouble with the pick.

 

[Sol]

No, I just look at Byfield as this raw kid who is very young and still developing into his man sized frame. I think realistically, any expectation of Byfield to be a top performer this year is premature and reaching for what we hope he can be, not what he is. 2-3 years from now, if he is not tearing it up, I agree, we are in trouble with the pick.

I don't think you realize how bad the team was last year. If you look at how bad the production was last year. Him being a top performer on the Kings isnt a high bar at all.
The Kings were complete trash on offense that my point is this talented kid should have no problem cracking top 5 on the Kings since the bar has been set so low from last year. I think you're putting too much emphasis on the words "top 5"and less emphasis on how bad the top 5 scorers were last year. If Trevor Moore was nearly in the top 5 in scoring with his ice time then I have very little doubt that Byfield will make top 5 unless he does really bad or Maclellan completely misuses him which is a possibility he does misuse him. Our top 5 scores were crap last season. Top 5 scorers of an average team vs the Kings is completely different.

 

[Reclamation Project]

So we are in trouble than if his NHL rookie season does not put him in the teams top 5 scoring. Gotcha.

Correct, if he plays 65+ games and isn’t near top 5 given this team’s complete lack of offense I’m going to be concerned.

 

[Sol]

For reference, Kopitar had 61 points in 72 games in his rookie season. If this Kid is truly the Kopitar replacement then he should have very little issue cracking top 5 in scoring and doesn't need to be sheltered in the 3rd line. Byfield should and will be in the top 5 scoring of the Kings next season, and he should be playing on the second line. Kopitar came to the NHL and crushed it. Everyone's high on Byfield. He should perform well and be pretty sheltered playing under Kopitar.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

depends. I think the 2nd and 3rd lines will be used interchangeably this next year. Give him 2nd line type minutes that are somewhat sheltered (i.e o-zone starts) than make matchups tough as he shows he can handle more.

That's kind of what happened this year, as well, and why some of us were hoping for a "2C" (Danault) that could eat some of the hard minutes so Kopitar wouldn't just keep grinding down playing so many ridiculous minutes and matchups.

Kopitar ate the hard stuff, Carter and Vilardi lines were turned loose to do stuff, only they were miserable failures despite preferential deployment.

His only competition is like what Iaffalo, brown, Kopitar, and Kempe? If Byfield isn't top 5 in scoring next season with nearly a full season under his belt then the Kings have a problem.

*and Doughty, and yeah he should outscore the dmen, but Drew gets PP1 time with the above guys, plus....

Yes if the second overall player from the draft doesn't surpass someone like Brown or Iafallo in scoring then the Kings are in trouble. The only way he logically shouldn't is if Maclellan drops the ball on his usage. Outside of the top 5 scoring coming in at 6th was Trevor Moore with 23 points.

You must have really low expectations of Byfield for a team that's complete shit and he shouldn't have much issue outscoring if he's used correctly.

...the boldfaced is an important point. Maybe it'll be a little different this year with the expectation that he's on the team but I'm not sure, he may not be on PP1, get reduced minutes, etc.

I have high expectations for Byfield but I'm not gonna lay on a hard and fast rule like the above, I can easily see everyone else having good years and he wouldn't likely surpass Kopitar, Arviddson, Doughty, maybe even Vilardi, Iafallo, Moore if everything is really clicking, and that's even barring breakouts/surprises from others.

 

[YP44]

from 31 thoughts. I wonder if Seattle does not take Voracek if he makes sense for LA as the other top 6 guy. Not sure what the cost would be but given his cap hit, and how the situation is not good in Philly could be low acquisition cost. Not as low as a UFA, but curious how this ends up.

 

[Mats26]

QB if given the right line mates and ice time, should hit around 40 pts next year. But I could see 30 pts if he is stuck on the 3rd line with no PP1 time.
Pretty much in line with Lafreniere and Stuzle's production at 19. Anywhere in the 30-40 range.

I will be shocked if he explodes on the scene like Kopi did. If he does, we are a playoff team and the rebuild has defiantly turned the corner.

 

[Matt13]

I don't think you realize how bad the team was last year. If you look at how bad the production was last year. Him being a top performer on the Kings isnt a high bar at all.
The Kings were complete trash on offense that my point is this talented kid should have no problem cracking top 5 on the Kings since the bar has been set so low from last year. I think you're putting too much emphasis on the words "top 5"and less emphasis on how bad the top 5 scorers were last year. If Trevor Moore was nearly in the top 5 in scoring with his ice time then I have very little doubt that Byfield will make top 5 unless he does really bad or Maclellan completely misuses him which is a possibility he does misuse him. Our top 5 scores were crap last season. Top 5 scorers of an average team vs the Kings is completely different.

Kempe was #5 and had 14 goals and 15 assists. We have added Ardvidsson and will probably add another top 6 winger. I am not expecting Byfield to be top 5. 2 years from now, absolutely.

 

[Sol]

That's kind of what happened this year, as well, and why some of us were hoping for a "2C" (Danault) that could eat some of the hard minutes so Kopitar wouldn't just keep grinding down playing so many ridiculous minutes and matchups.

Kopitar ate the hard stuff, Carter and Vilardi lines were turned loose to do stuff, only they were miserable failures despite preferential deployment.




*and Doughty, and yeah he should outscore the dmen, but Drew gets PP1 time with the above guys, plus....




...the boldfaced is an important point. Maybe it'll be a little different this year with the expectation that he's on the team but I'm not sure, he may not be on PP1, get reduced minutes, etc.

Realistically In a perfect world where Maclellan isn't an idiot and plays Kopitar 23-24 minutes a game when we're playing the last 5 games of the season out of the playoffs, around dead last..

Byfield in his limited NHL exposure shown that he's at least going to be a good top 6 player. A full season in the NHL under Kopitar, Byfield should crack top 5 in scoring with relative ease. Again if Trevor Moore was nearly about to do it, I don't see why Byfield won't. And lastly, I don't doubt Byfield ability to crack top 5 in scoring. I think he definitely should IF used properly. The biggest obstacle for Byfield is Maclellan, not himself.

If Byfield by some miracle is used properly by Maclellan and isn't heavily sheltered then he will be top 5. If he isn't top 5 and used correctly then there will be some head scratching on why he wasn't able to crack the top 5 with the lack of quality players we have in there.

 

[Sol]

Kempe was #5 and had 14 goals and 15 assists. We have added Ardvidsson and will probably add another top 6 winger. I am not expecting Byfield to be top 5. 2 years from now, absolutely.

Kempe was also our highest goal scorer with 14 goals. Shouldn't that tell you how there isn't much competition for Byfield? Kempe was our hottest player for the beginning of the season and a bit towards mid season and completely vanished for the rest of the season. 14 goals in 56 games. Our best goal scorer.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I’d be happy with 15 goals/50 points and 16-18 minutes per night. By season 3 I expect him being a point per game player and playing 20-22 minutes per night.

 

[Sol]

QB if given the right line mates and ice time, should hit around 40 pts next year. But I could see 30 pts if he is stuck on the 3rd line with no PP1 time.
Pretty much in line with Lafreniere and Stuzle's production at 19. Anywhere in the 30-40 range.

I will be shocked if he explodes on the scene like Kopi did. If he does, we are a playoff team and the rebuild has defiantly turned the corner.

Lafreniere and Stutzles production was considered disappointing on even these boards as well as nationals. Byfield has the luxury of being sheltered under Kopitar. That should give him easier match ups and a better ability to produce. Again, if Maclellan doesn't completely neuter him.

I also think adding Arvidsson is going to give players like Byfield better linemates which should help him produce.

 

[BigKing]

I’d be happy with 15 goals/50 points and 16-18 minutes per night. By season 3 I expect him being a point per game player and playing 20-22 minutes per night.

I think everyone would be super stoked for the 19 year old to put up 50 points. Could be a real tall order though depending on his linemates. I can't stress it enough that he should be given one of Iafallo or Arvidsson. Bumping Brown down the lines makes sense in a vacuum until you realize that means Vilardi or Byfield are going to have to carry him unless he is bumped all the way down to the 4th line. For their development, Vilardi/Byfield need a winger that can help create some zone time.

 

[YP44]

I’d be happy with 15 goals/50 points and 16-18 minutes per night. By season 3 I expect him being a point per game player and playing 20-22 minutes per night.

15 goals would be nice for sure.

 

[YP44]

I think everyone would be super stoked for the 19 year old to put up 50 points. Could be a real tall order though depending on his linemates. I can't stress it enough that he should be given one of Iafallo or Arvidsson. Bumping Brown down the lines makes sense in a vacuum until you realize that means Vilardi or Byfield are going to have to carry him unless he is bumped all the way down to the 4th line. For their development, Vilardi/Byfield need a winger that can help create some zone time.

put him on the LW and give him Kopitar some games as well.

 

[Sol]

If Byfield gets 50 points playing second line minutes in his rookie season, not only will he be in top 5 scoring this year, he will be top 5 in scoring for the rest of his career. I only compare him to Kopitar since he's going to be our Kopitar replacement. It's only fair to do so. 50 points in 82 games is 0.6ppg which would seriously do wonders for this team. I think he's more than capable of cracking it today since Kopitar is going to be eating the hard minutes and he isn't.

 

[BigKing]

If Byfield gets 50 points playing second line minutes in his rookie season, not only will he be in top 5 scoring this year, he will be top 5 in scoring for the rest of his career. I only compare him to Kopitar since he's going to be our Kopitar replacement. It's only fair to do so. 50 points in 82 games is 0.6ppg which would seriously do wonders for this team. I think he's more than capable of cracking it today since Kopitar is going to be eating the hard minutes and he isn't.

He's still pretty raw though and Kopitar got to play in Crawford's no defense system. It also took Byfield a bit to get acclimated to the AHL. We might have to be happy with him closing out the back half of the year at a .50-.60 PPG pace but that would still be a win if he does that for like the last 30 games or so: it would be positive development. Based on watching him all of last season, I'd be surprised if he comes roaring out of the gates next season.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I still think it's appropriate to looka t the Draisaitl scoring curve in terms of development.

his 19 year old season, he got 9 points in 37 games--I expect a little more.
20--19-32-51 in 72
21--29-48-77
22--25-45-70
23--50-55-105
24--50-77-127 (pace)
25--45-77-122 (pace)

You can see major growth jumps that are later than most high draft picks. I would urge most folks here to keep that in mind (and how much draisaitl and even mackinnon were getting ridden early on)

 

[BigKing]

I still think it's appropriate to looka t the Draisaitl scoring curve in terms of development.

his 19 year old season, he got 9 points in 37 games--I expect a little more.
20--19-32-51 in 72
21--29-48-77
22--25-45-70
23--50-55-105
24--50-77-127 (pace)
25--45-77-122 (pace)

You can see major growth jumps that are later than most high draft picks. I would urge most folks here to keep that in mind (and how much draisaitl and even mackinnon were getting ridden early on)

Yep. Kopitar comparisons are rough because I think he was just a higher hockey IQ type of player. I think it will take Byfield longer to get acclimated. We'll see major flashes and then he'll have a bad turnover or try something that worked at the AHL level but won't work here. My big thing is I want to see continued growth throughout the year and I'd like to see some sort of nice scoring pace over a decent amount of games (30?) towards the end of the year that lets me think that he is getting it.

He really is a kid who could spend his 19 year old season learning about being an NHL pro, crush the off-season training wise and then come back to kick ass as a 20 year old.

 

[Master Yoda]

*and Doughty, and yeah he should outscore the dmen, but Drew gets PP1 time with the above guys, plus....

And Arvidsson and Vilardi.

If Byfield's production is round these guys (40-ish points), then it'll be a pretty successful rookie season.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Also I’d try Vilardi on Byfield’s wing. That would be contingent on us getting another veteran LW which I expect to happen.

 

[YP44]

Also I’d try Vilardi on Byfield’s wing. That would be contingent on us getting another veteran LW which I expect to happen.

I would be game for this Saad/Schwartz/Kempe-Byfeild-Vilardi

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I really hope the King's do not thrust Byfield in a top 6 role.

Nonsense. Byfield hasn’t shown any signs he is fragile and needs to be handled with care.

The kid did well in the AHL, did well in his cup of coffee with the Kings. He’s the number 2 overall pick and in most drafts, he’d be #1 overall. Assuming he has a strong summer and camp, he’s going to be the #2c next season.

The real question in my mind is Turcotte’s development. Seems like a prime trade candidate to get a good defenseman/winger.

 

[Sol]

That is legitimately an issue.

He's still pretty raw though and Kopitar got to play in Crawford's no defense system. It also took Byfield a bit to get acclimated to the AHL. We might have to be happy with him closing out the back half of the year at a .50-.60 PPG pace but that would still be a win if he does that for like the last 30 games or so: it would be positive development. Based on watching him all of last season, I'd be surprised if he comes roaring out of the gates next season.

Yes I think Byfield will be a solid player but I don't think he will become a top center in the NHL. However the Crawford part is an important mention.

The Kings weren't playing offense or defense last season. I legit have no idea what Maclellan was trying to do. Whatever it was, wasn't working. And again, the fact the Kings don't have some semblance of an identity this long under Macllelans tenure is a big red flag. If the defense sucks, goes full offense and try to outscore. If the offense sucks, go full defense and hold down the fort. They have no identity.