Speculation: 2025 TDL Discussion

[bland]

Keith Primeau? I guess that’s better than Wayne Primeau.

That's my conclusion thus far. He's very similar to Keith Primeau, same kind of arc to his career - large guys whose development required early usage as a wing, both look(ed) awkward and clumsy at times. Longer adaptation period than most top picks. High end skill is there to see, but a hard time establishing itself as a consistent threat.

I hope I am wrong, but Byfield seems to be on the same trajectory to be a very good middle 6 center on very good teams, but not "the guy". Again, hope I am wrong - but I don't think I am.

 

[DoktorJeep]

That's my conclusion thus far. He's very similar to Keith Primeau, same kind or arc to his career - large guys whose development required early usage as a wing, both look(ed) awkward and clumsy at times. Longer adaptation period than most top picks.

I hope I am wrong, but Byfield seems to be on the same trajectory to be a very good middle 6 center on very good teams, but not "the guy". Again, hope I am wrong - but I don't think I am.

I dunno. I’m still holding out hope for QB turning into Mark Scheiffle.

 

[bland]

I dunno. I’m still holding out hope for QB turning into Mark Scheiffle.

I don't blame those either hopeful or frustrated with him. Just unfortunate that it was on the only really big swing they allowed themselves to take.

Every game I watch Byfield and look for signs that it's clicking in, more than even the results of his plays. I find that I spend a lot of time seeing "almosts", and they are almost all in moments that require touch on the puck. I don't know if that is confidence or ability. Lots of reasons to see why a young King would lack confidence, but I am starting to lean towards it being outright skill.

I preferred Stützle, but I thought that Byfield was too big a jackpot to turn down. I called him a project back then, and thought it was we'll worth the risk given the time they had then with Vilardi, Turcotte and even Kupari - plus I think Kempe was still getting shifts up the middle at the time too. Man, did they ever !@#$ that shit up.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Byfield has the tools to become a dominant player, but what he’s lacking is the drive.

He often flails when he’s hit, there’s little pushback in his game, there’s a general lack of intensity. We get very rare glimpses when he is driven, but then he completely disappears and plays considerably smaller than his size.

Maybe he’ll put it all together and everything will click for him, but his issues are all internal. I get more Olli Jokinen vibes from him, who needed a very stern coach in Mike Keenan to get the best out of him.

 

[johnjm22]

We've seen flashes of "touch" from Byfield. The ability is there.

He lacks decisiveness with the puck IMO. Always second guessing himself. 'Gripping his stick too tightly.'

I also think he's inefficient with his energy usage. Makes me concerned about potential burn out.

These are all things he should be able to learn as he gains confidence.

 

[Herby]

I have no doubt that Byfield would have 15+ more points if he stayed on the wing with Kempe and Kopitar, but it was vital to get him up the middle asap.

One thing we have learned is that Byfield is a hell of a lot closer to a Keith Primeau high pick than a franchise player. That's unfortunate, likely not to change too much, but certainly no reason to trade him.

That is a very good comparison. I have said PLD for years, but I don't think Byfield has the offense that PLD has, but he is better defensively, has a better motor, plays with some edge and is a couple of inches taller (which makes the Primeau comparison a good one).

Primeau had some seasons as a 1C, but was not a championship level 1C and was better suited as a secondary piece. And that is the problem that the Kings are faced with going forward, they didn't draft that type of C that would make a guy like QB an asset as a 2C, so his future role is probably a "bad" 1C, like Primeau was for the Hartford Hurricanes.

 

[johnjm22]

He had the highest game impact score in the league last night.

 

[Fripp]

We've seen flashes of "touch" from Byfield. The ability is there.

He lacks decisiveness with the puck IMO. Always second guessing himself. 'Gripping his stick too tightly.'

I also think he's inefficient with his energy usage. Makes me concerned about potential burn out.

These are all things he should be able to learn as he gains confidence.

Great observations, and I think this is one of the most accurate assessments I've seen here. Over the last year we've seen him turn into a fantastic NHL player without the puck. He's responsible defensively, arguably great, and is a beastly PK'er. Decisions with the puck ... ehhh, he has work to do. "Inefficient energy use" in the O zone is spot on.

 

[Herby]

Great observations, and I think this is one of the most accurate assessments I've seen here. Over the last year we've seen him turn into a fantastic NHL player without the puck. He's responsible defensively, arguably great, and is a beastly PK'er. Decisions with the puck ... ehhh, he has work to do. "Inefficient energy use" in the O zone is spot on.

He's just not a very smooth offensive player, in the way that you expect to see from a player taken that high in the draft. It's the same things I used to see from Matty Beniers in college, worked hard, had a good all-around game, but outside of the occasional flash, just never really showed the type of offensive dominance that you should be expecting from players taken that high. Guys like QB and Beniers are the types you are really happy with if you take them 10-12 range in the draft, and even ok in the 7-10 range, but Top 3? You just have to look for more out of that draft slot, because that is where you are expecting franchise players to come from.

 

[Omni Owl]

I'm more worried about the supporting cast surrounding Q, mainly down the middle. He's going to have a shit time matching up against other team's top lines when he's the only center worth a damn down the middle. Its the most important position to have depth. I think he'll continue to develop nicely, at least it seems he's turning his season around after a terrible start.

 

[Herby]

I'm more worried about the supporting cast surrounding Q, mainly down the middle. He's going to have a shit time matching up against other team's top lines when he's the only center worth a damn down the middle. Its the most important position to have depth. I think he'll continue to develop nicely, at least it seems he's turning his season around after a terrible start.

Imagine telling someone at the 2020 draft, after going C in the 1st round in four straight drafts, that in 2025 the biggest concern for the future of the Kings would be C depth.

It's wild.

 

[johnjm22]

I'm more worried about the supporting cast surrounding Q, mainly down the middle. He's going to have a shit time matching up against other team's top lines when he's the only center worth a damn down the middle. Its the most important position to have depth. I think he'll continue to develop nicely, at least it seems he's turning his season around after a terrible start.

I agree completely.

Even if Q turns into a great player, where does that get us?

The decisions of management affect a franchise many years beyond their tenure. We've been setup for another lost decade even if Q and Clarke turn out.