Around the league part 2

[kilowatt]

PLD playing well too.


Do you think the NYR org was expecting 'game-breaking' talent with their #1 pick in 2020? Can you show me one legitimate pick projection that didn't have Alex Lafreniere as the #1 pick? So, you are telling me that the NYR org made a mistake?

I’m not saying we made a mistake picking Byfield. I’m not saying New York made a mistake picking Lafreniere. I’m saying that neither are living up to their draft slot, which is hurting both teams. In the end, I thought we made the right choice with Byfield.

It was clear at the time that none of the 2020 guys were going to be generational picks like McDavid, and Byfield was always going to be a longer-term investment, but until this year (and it’s only been two games) Byfield has played a very timid, deferential game. Maybe that’s what was asked of him, I obviously have no insight into those kinds of things, so I can only comment on what I can see. But I didn’t like what I saw last year from him and I didn’t like the position he was put in either. He is playing better through two games this season, but that’s a very small sample size. For him to live up to his draft slot (in my opinion), he needs to be a 70+ point forward, preferably at center. Not sure that will happen.

In fact, Rosen said it better than I could have:

An enormous wild card whose development represents more than what he’ll contribute individually to the 2023-24 club is Quinton Byfield. He’s coming off a season in which he showed an encouraging and well-rounded skill set that would salivate team management – had he been drafted 15th overall. There’s no question the former number two pick is an NHL player, one who should enjoy a lengthy and productive career. But he hasn’t yet demonstrated individual goal scoring or offensive contribution commensurate to his draft slot, let alone in comparison to elite talent Tim Stutzle, whom Los Angeles also strongly considered and was selected one pick after him. Because the Kings missed when selecting Alex Turcotte fifth overall the year prior, Byfield’s personal offensive improvement, even if it hasn’t reached a critical stage, will offer a clearer picture towards whether the championship window can be sustained after 36-year-old Anze Kopitar skates off to the big Lake Bled in the sky.

With questions in goal again, has the Kings’ roster philosophy been influenced by Adin Hill’s magic? Robitaille, Blake weigh in

The Kings have a major question mark in goal, but second round playoff teams are less reliant on clearly defined top goalies than they were.

theforumreport.com

 

[KingsHockey24]

Huge bombs in this fight. Wowzers.

 

[Herby]

PLD playing well too.


Do you think the NYR org was expecting 'game-breaking' talent with their #1 pick in 2020? Can you show me one legitimate pick projection that didn't have Alex Lafreniere as the #1 pick? So, you are telling me that the NYR org made a mistake?

You've posted this a million times like it's some kind of gotcha moment.

Yes, taking Laf over Stutzle was a mistake. Laf is a bad #1 overall pick based on historical comps and who was available at the time (just like with QB). Calling somebody a bad or the wrong pick does not mean they are a bust (for the 1000000th time). There have been plenty of bad/mistake picks who have gone on to have decent to really good careers. This is true of all the sports. But there is still an expectation in the NHL draft that when you are picking in the top 2 you are getting a franchise player.

I’m not saying we made a mistake picking Byfield. I’m not saying New York made a mistake picking Lafreniere. I’m saying that neither are living up to their draft slot, which is hurting both teams. In the end, I thought we made the right choice with Byfield.

It was clear at the time that none of the 2020 guys were going to be generational picks like McDavid, and Byfield was always going to be a longer-term investment, but until this year (and it’s only been two games) Byfield has played a very timid, deferential game. Maybe that’s what was asked of him, I obviously have no insight into those kinds of things, so I can only comment on what I can see. But I didn’t like what I saw last year from him and I didn’t like the position he was put in either. He is playing better through two games this season, but that’s a very small sample size. For him to live up to his draft slot (in my opinion), he needs to be a 70+ point forward, preferably at center. Not sure that will happen.

In fact, Rosen said it better than I could have:

With questions in goal again, has the Kings’ roster philosophy been influenced by Adin Hill’s magic? Robitaille, Blake weigh in

The Kings have a major question mark in goal, but second round playoff teams are less reliant on clearly defined top goalies than they were.

theforumreport.com

It doesn't matter, what you will say will just be ignored and he will defer to the voices in his head that tell him that you think Byfield is Colten Teubert or Lauri Tukonen.

I've been saying I think Byfield's ceiling is PLD for about 2 years now, but he still replies with his "Bustfield" comments non-stop. Same thing with Turcotte, been saying Copp/Cogliano for 4 years, but he will continue to say bust.

I've learned when you deal with people who hear voices that the voices are always going to win out.

 

[King'sPawn]

I've been saying I think Biden's ceiling is PLD for about 2 years now

I think when we look back on Biden's life, he'll never hold PLD's jockstrap when evaluating his hockey ability

 

[Herby]

I think when we look back on Biden's life, he'll never hold PLD's jockstrap when evaluating his hockey ability

My autofill does this a lot and I usually catch it, LOL.

 

[bland]

My autofill does this a lot and I usually catch it, LOL.

Is that why my phone always goes to Sweeney instead of Crosby?

 

[Bandit]

Lmao Durzi played 29 minutes for the coyotes last night.

 

[King'sPawn]

Lmao Durzi played 29 minutes for the coyotes last night.

And the Rangers only scored 2 goals? That alone should make Lafreniere and Kakko a bust

Also, Faber with a 23 minute game to lead his team. Wild won 5-2.

 

[Fishhead]

Lmao Durzi played 29 minutes for the coyotes last night.

Durzi plays nearly the entire time on the powerplay, he's deployed exactly like Karlsson usually is. He's the 2nd lowest D with PK time. He's been on the ice for 17:31 on the PP, the next D is Valimaki with 5:55.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What a joke

everyone knows REAL coaching is playing Durzi on the left hand side and during the PK

 

[Fishhead]

What a joke

everyone knows REAL coaching is playing Durzi on the left hand side and during the PK

As terrible as Arizona is coached, they sure know how to deploy Durzi.

To be completely fair though that team has one of the thinnest defensive 6 in a long time. They play total prevent most of the time and wait for turnovers, kind of like those early Terry Murray Kings. But even they know not to throw him out there on the PK.

 

[King'sPawn]

Interesting to note: Seattle and San Jose are the last two teams who have yet to get a win. I think it was the Sabres, Kings, and Oilers who got their firsts tonight (all I remember is it was down to five teams before the games started)

 

[johnjm22]

I always felt Durzi had the potential to be a 50 point defenseman.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Couldve been worse.. Get well soon

 

[Telos]

Couldve been worse.. Get well soon

Not good, but I honestly thought it could of been 3-4 months so I am happy that it isn't anything like that. I wish Vilardi well.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Not good, but I honestly thought it could of been 3-4 months so I am happy that it isn't anything like that. I wish Vilardi well.

Same. Couldve been a Dach situation.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Phew, yeah, very glad it's 'just' a sprain

 

[FrozenKing18]

Good to hear it wasn't more serious

 

[King'sPawn]

Couldve been worse.. Get well soon

That's rough. Hopefully he recovers earlier than the projected timeline.

 

[johnjm22]

I'm relieved. I thought it was going to be a torn ACL or something.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Couldve been worse.. Get well soon

Good.

That means even if PL has a terrible year we can still (hopefully) say he outscored Vilardi.

 

[Statto]

You've posted this a million times like it's some kind of gotcha moment.

Yes, taking Laf over Stutzle was a mistake. Laf is a bad #1 overall pick based on historical comps and who was available at the time (just like with QB). Calling somebody a bad or the wrong pick does not mean they are a bust (for the 1000000th time). There have been plenty of bad/mistake picks who have gone on to have decent to really good careers. This is true of all the sports. But there is still an expectation in the NHL draft that when you are picking in the top 2 you are getting a franchise player.


It doesn't matter, what you will say will just be ignored and he will defer to the voices in his head that tell him that you think Byfield is Colten Teubert or Lauri Tukonen.

I've been saying I think Byfield's ceiling is PLD for about 2 years now, but he still replies with his "Bustfield" comments non-stop. Same thing with Turcotte, been saying Copp/Cogliano for 4 years, but he will continue to say bust.

I've learned when you deal with people who hear voices that the voices are always going to win out.

I always had Laf behind Byfield and Stutzle. I had Byfield at #1 and was worried the Rangers would suddenly realize how bad the QMJHL is.

My concern with QB has been how he was developed and the significant setbacks he had. They’ve not helped his confidence and mindset at all IMO, but I do think he’s still young enough that his ceiling shouldn’t be hit too badly as long as they keep trusting in him and let him makes mistakes. There weren’t any franchise players in that draft. Elite? maybe but no more than that. I agree QB will at least be a good top 6 player and his upside is a first line player IMO but it’s unclear in what position long term. I agree on Turcotte, he can be a good middle six guy but they need to integrate him this year for that to happen.

 

[Bandit]

Bummer about Vilardi. Was hoping he'd have a monster season so that I could hate blake more, if that's possible.

 

[johnjm22]

Athletic 2020 re-draft:

1. Tim Stützle, C (Senators, No. 3)
2. Jake Sanderson, D (Senators, No. 5)
3. Anton Lundell, C (Panthers, No. 12)
4. Alexander Nikishin, D (Hurricanes, No. 69)
5. Lucas Raymond, LW (Red Wings, No. 4)
6. Jack Quinn, RW (Sabres, No. 8)
7. Dawson Mercer, C (Devils, No. 18)
8. Alexis Lafrenière, LW (Rangers, No. 1)
9. Quinton Byfield, C (Kings, No. 2)
10. Jamie Drysdale, D (Ducks, No. 6)
11. Seth Jarvis, RW (Hurricanes, No. 13)

24. Brock Faber, D (Kings, No. 45)
55. Alex Laferriere, RW (Kings, No. 83)
62. Helge Grans, D (Kings, No. 35)
76. Martin Chromiak, RW (Kings, No. 128)
78. Aatu Jamsen, LW (Kings, No. 190)

Re-drafting the NHL class of 2020: Stützle goes No. 1, Nikishin rises dramatically

Corey Pronman re-ranks the top prospects from the NHL Draft class of 2020.

theathletic.com

 

[kingsfan28]

I always felt Durzi had the potential to be a 50 point defenseman.

say what you want about Durzi, but the Kings pp misses his ablity to get the puck in on the rush or set up. That's what's killing them. I couldn't have been the only one who yelled at the tv when twice they failed to get it set up and 2 more shorties happened.