GDT: 2024-25 season game 29 LA Kings vs New Jersey Devils @4:00pm 12/12/24

[chris kontos]

Looked to me last nite byfield was just running around and at times appeared somewhat lost.
I still think its too early to give up on him- how old is he- 22 ?
I think his permanent place on a line with guys he's had success with like kaliyev would help stabilize his play

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Byfield to me has become a microcosm of the whole Blake era.

Extraordinary potential but depressing reality.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Ever since Tmac was fired QB has regressed. I think the obvious answer here is to fire Newell Brown and bring back Todd to be an assistant coach. He’s obviously overpaid at $5.5M. But he’s already on the books and it’s done at the end of the season.

 

[johnjm22]

In the first game of the season, QB came out skating hard. He made some blunders, I think one lead to a goal against.

Ever since then he's been timid.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Nope...doing it wrong...the type of player a player is at 18-22, is ALWAYS the type of player he will be.......THATs how you do it...just saying.

Im not sure i get your point... here's the rest of his numbers.. once he got to Vancouver he was ppg and over. Simply that a player may need a change of scenery but of course it may be he mentally matured - he was doing lots of stupid things earlier in his career.

 

[Sol]

There was a period last season when everyone was on board with thank god we took Byfield and not the flopper - and people coming clean saying "I was wrong about QB".. several months.. seems pretty much went in the tank after Hiller was promoted - not blaming Hiller but it was about that timeframe. A change of regime can make a big difference...e.g. check JT Miller

View attachment 944867

He WAS doing good but I must say, he’s never been good without Kopitar. What does that say about him and being a benefactor? I know some people will say he was “driving” the line. But Kopitar and Kempe are doing just fine without him. He’s not. If Byfield was such a big part of the lines success you’d expect them to be suffering without him.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Im not sure i get your point... here's the rest of his numbers.. once he got to Vancouver he was ppg and over. Simply that a player may need a change of scenery but of course it may be he mentally matured - he was doing lots of stupid things earlier in his career.

View attachment 944894

Hyperbole, sarcastic,

Players change as they grow, as they mature, people writing off a 22 year old, would have been f***ed over JT Miller, Tage Thompson, St. Louis, Hull......etc.

 

[King'sPawn]

Vilardi was almost 24 when the Kings traded him. While injuries were a big reason, he still came around to being a very good player. Byfield's only 22.

Not getting production you'd like out of a second overall pick, but far from a lost cause. And still a good player.

And he was certainly driving the play on the Kopitar line last year when he and Kempe were less than their usual selves. Sounds like people either forgot, weren't paying attention, or are being intellectually dishonest.

 

[Schmooley]

He WAS doing good but I must say, he’s never been good without Kopitar. What does that say about him and being a benefactor? I know some people will say he was “driving” the line. But Kopitar and Kempe are doing just fine without him. He’s not. If Byfield was such a big part of the lines success you’d expect them to be suffering without him.

He was good between Vilardi and Iafallo also. You dont have to be so deep into the he absolutely sucks always has end of story type rhetoric. There was a point last year where he was the teams best player. Hes playing poorly right now. Both can be true.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Vilardi was almost 24 when the Kings traded him. While injuries were a big reason, he still came around to being a very good player. Byfield's only 22.

Not getting production you'd like out of a second overall pick, but far from a lost cause. And still a good player.

And he was certainly driving the play on the Kopitar line last year when he and Kempe were less than their usual selves. Sounds like people either forgot, weren't paying attention, or are being intellectually dishonest.

I’ll go with D) all of the above

 

[SmytheKing]

He was good between Vilardi and Iafallo also. You dont have to be so deep into the he absolutely sucks always has end of story type rhetoric. There was a point last year where he was the teams best player. Hes playing poorly right now. Both can be true.

I think the biggest concern is that he's "played poorly" for about 80% of his career to this point. We've seen a consistent baseline for about three years and one peak for around 60-80 games last year. I said about three years ago I could see him turning into a Robert Lang type guy where you see immense talent, but only for about 15 games a year. The rest of the time he's sort of like existing and playing a nice game. While that's fine, it's not what you want from the 2nd overall. Not when the guy drafted behind him is going to average 100 points a year for the rest of his career.

A lot of us said he seemed to turn that proverbial corner and was deferring less and taking control more. I'm pretty disillusioned with the team so I haven't really watched at all this year, but it sounds like he's not so much regressing as he is settling back into what he really is. There's a huge list of players who looked fantastic next to Kopitar and then they struggle any time they weren't on his wing. Brown, O'Sullivan, Cammalleri, etc. Byfield wouldn't be the first guy. If he doesn't start playing like he did last year, I think it's safe to say he is what he is at this point.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I think the biggest concern is that he's "played poorly" for about 80% of his career to this point. We've seen a consistent baseline for about three years and one peak for around 60-80 games last year. I said about three years ago I could see him turning into a Robert Lang type guy where you see immense talent, but only for about 15 games a year. The rest of the time he's sort of like existing and playing a nice game. While that's fine, it's not what you want from the 2nd overall. Not when the guy drafted behind him is going to average 100 points a year for the rest of his career.

A lot of us said he seemed to turn that proverbial corner and was deferring less and taking control more. I'm pretty disillusioned with the team so I haven't really watched at all this year, but it sounds like he's not so much regressing as he is settling back into what he really is. There's a huge list of players who looked fantastic next to Kopitar and then they struggle any time they weren't on his wing. Brown, O'Sullivan, Cammalleri, etc. Byfield wouldn't be the first guy. If he doesn't start playing like he did last year, I think it's safe to say he is what he is at this point.

He has not played ‘poorly’ at all. He has not converted on his chances….big difference.

 

[AbsentMojo]

He WAS doing good but I must say, he’s never been good without Kopitar. What does that say about him and being a benefactor? I know some people will say he was “driving” the line. But Kopitar and Kempe are doing just fine without him. He’s not. If Byfield was such a big part of the lines success you’d expect them to be suffering without him.

QB is sus. I dont know if he has a medical issue or a mental issue or what... something does not add up. Playing a new position and under a strict new system isnt helping, but that doesnt explain his total lack of production. But, still cant write him off yet.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I guess I must've imagined Byfield disappearing from the score sheet after February 20, 2024.

He only scored two goals in 28 games to close out the 2023-24 season.

Definitely the consistency you want to see from a play driver.

 

[Schmooley]

I guess I must've imagined Byfield disappearing from the score sheet after February 20, 2024.

He only scored two goals in 28 games to close out the 2023-24 season.

Definitely the consistency you want to see from a play driver.

Yea hes struggling. The team needs more from him. Its frustrating and I dont see many defending his play right now. But Sol acts like we havent caught a glimpse of the player he could be and thats just not true.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

But Sol acts like we havent caught a glimpse of the player he could be and thats just not true.

You sound surprised...

 

[Choralone]

I think we all thought Byfield turned the corner last season and was on his way. But the Kings switched him back to center. I don't think that whatever he looked prior to last season has anything to do with what's going on this season - other than we don't like the results.

I'm in the camp that says he was looking good at wing, just play him at wing. I know we need a 1c to replace Kopitar and we're almost out of time, but it doesn't look like Byfield is it so the team should stop trying to force it. Let him be a winger who can make some sick passes now and then.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I think we all thought Byfield turned the corner last season and was on his way. But the Kings switched him back to center. I don't think that whatever he looked prior to last season has anything to do with what's going on this season - other than we don't like the results.

I'm in the camp that says he was looking good at wing, just play him at wing. I know we need a 1c to replace Kopitar and we're almost out of time, but it doesn't look like Byfield is it so the team should stop trying to force it. Let him be a winger who can make some sick passes now and then.

Maybe you missed yesterday’s game….he kinda looked pretty good.

 

[Choralone]

Maybe you missed yesterday’s game….he kinda looked pretty good.

If he keeps it up at center, great! If not, or if only sporadically, then...

 

[Peter James Bond III]

Ever since Tmac was fired QB has regressed. I think the obvious answer here is to fire Newell Brown and bring back Todd to be an assistant coach. He’s obviously overpaid at $5.5M. But he’s already on the books and it’s done at the end of the season.

Maybe so...QB needed 1 goal to make 20 for that bonus and couldn't bury that last 1 for 20 games, I think....it's 6.25 M.

With these Flyers and Kings rumors...and surely the Rags ready to make a deal or 3....things may get interesting. Kaliyev played with the Reign tonight and had 1 assist and a shootout goal, in the OT shootout win. I think they keep Arty there until the Kings return home, after the last road game, CAPS, Dec 22. But there's a trade freeze then. I bet some scouts were at the game, to see how Arty did.

Now Kakko scratched...he didn't look so good, vs the Kings. I like Chytil, but think the Rangers would move several others, before him. Signing Foegele over keeping Arvy (at where he's at now, physically and playing-wise) was the best King move this offseason. If the Kings could add 1 more impact forward and DD comes back...maybe this team is good. Not Cup good, but if Keumper keeps it up, the Kings can win a round or 2. I would add that QB must start producing as well.
Turcotte is a wildcard, of sorts....if he can score 15 goals, 25 assist at LW1, that would be huge.
I think he can....other surprise: that they stick with Moverare and he can play. Wonder if his play forces a D trade, once DD returns. I think they stick with Moverare. He's been solid.