Around the league part 2

[Herby]

The wild thing about the Byfield bet was that he’s obviously taken a big step forward this year. Not a bust at all. PPG in his AHL stint and really heating up on Kopitar’s wing.

And I was one of the guys saying he *could* be a bust if he didn’t take a step forward this season.

I think it's looking more and more likely that the optimal position for QB at the NHL level is going to be a scoring line wing. There is no question he has a ton of God-Given skill, but does he process the game well enough to be a 1C in the NHL? If the answer is no, is that really that big a deal?

The Kings putting QB as Kopitar's #1 LW has been the best development decision they have made in his three seasons in the organization. He looks comfortable in that role, way more comfortable than he has ever looked playing center. Let him play with AK at least through the end of AK's contract, and then at that point maybe re-evaluate. But I'd rather have a highly skilled 1st line winger for the next decade than try and force the issue that he HAS to be play center.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Such a great interview with Mike Commodore. These stories are f***ing great.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I think it's looking more and more likely that the optimal position for QB at the NHL level is going to be a scoring line wing. There is no question he has a ton of God-Given skill, but does he process the game well enough to be a 1C in the NHL? If the answer is no, is that really that big a deal?

No, to gain some confidence that’s a good thing. I still expect he will move to the center position at one point.


Surprising loss for Calgary last night.

 

[Bandit]

For what it's worth, I still read your posts in the voice of Brian Griffin.

Haha. That’s been a while. I’m sure I still have that avatar somewhere.

 

[Sol]

I've got news for you, and you may want to sit down for this

Maybe I should sit you down lol because I don’t know how long you have been on HF but there are and have been some bad mods on here that get in their feelings and start banning. The mods were always power tripping on this site. You’ve been the most level headed and least dramatic to start banning people. There’s a reason why HFBoards has lovely descriptions on UrbanDictionary.com

 

[kingsholygrail]

Such a great interview with Mike Commodore. These stories are f***ing great.

Mike Commodore's crusade against Babcock is one to marvel.

 

[YP44]

Now that we got the small man complex talk out of the way how about this f***ing stud here...

Every time I tune into a Buffalo game this dude has already potted a silky sweet goal or set up Tuch for a nifty put back. His confidence is sky high right now.

Tonight's goal:


Tage finished with 38 goals and 30 assists last year, this year he's already at 34 goals and 34 assists. Unreal.

Him and Kaprizov have really turned their respective teams into a much more exciting brand of hockey.

I;m glad he is not a Blue

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I think it's looking more and more likely that the optimal position for QB at the NHL level is going to be a scoring line wing. There is no question he has a ton of God-Given skill, but does he process the game well enough to be a 1C in the NHL? If the answer is no, is that really that big a deal?

The Kings putting QB as Kopitar's #1 LW has been the best development decision they have made in his three seasons in the organization. He looks comfortable in that role, way more comfortable than he has ever looked playing center. Let him play with AK at least through the end of AK's contract, and then at that point maybe re-evaluate. But I'd rather have a highly skilled 1st line winger for the next decade than try and force the issue that he HAS to be play center.

Well...I'm not sure what the answer is here. I agree that in the short term, top line left wing is Byfield's ideal spot.

Long term, though, if Byfield permanently transitions to wing in the NHL, the Kings are looking at a huge problem at the center position. Kopitar will no longer be producing at a top six level in 1-2 years. Danault is peaking as a #2 center at his absolute zenith.

Who else is there? Vilardi has been moved to wing. Byfield has been moved to wing. Turcotte was playing wing in the AHL, too.

You need a #1 C to win anything in this league. If Byfield just doesn't have it in him to become a #1 C, you have to live with that. I'd rather have a #1 LW than nothing at all. But IMO, the center position is the most important position in hockey, and Byfield permanently transitioning opens up a massive hole.

 

[bland]

No, to gain some confidence that’s a good thing. I still expect he will move to the center position at one point.


Surprising loss for Calgary last night.

He will absolutely be a center. One month playing with Anze and folks think his future is on the wing is a bit dramatic. This is a temporary solution to getting the kid (finally) into situations that match his skill set. The only other option was 9 minutes centering the 4th line with loose change wingers and a primary goal of just getting pucks deep. Had Lizotte not been playing so damn well maybe Byfield gets his shot with Fiala. Still think that will be the case within the next couple of months.

 

[cyclones22]

Well...I'm not sure what the answer is here. I agree that in the short term, top line left wing is Byfield's ideal spot.

Long term, though, if Byfield permanently transitions to wing in the NHL, the Kings are looking at a huge problem at the center position. Kopitar will no longer be producing at a top six level in 1-2 years. Danault is peaking as a #2 center at his absolute zenith.

Who else is there? Vilardi has been moved to wing. Byfield has been moved to wing. Turcotte was playing wing in the AHL, too.

You need a #1 C to win anything in this league. If Byfield just doesn't have it in him to become a #1 C, you have to live with that. I'd rather have a #1 LW than nothing at all. But IMO, the center position is the most important position in hockey, and Byfield permanently transitioning opens up a massive hole.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Claude Giroux break in at wing? QB can prove his top six abilities and production at wing to start, then transition to center.

 

[Stimpythecat]

It might be easiest for QB to really break in and then transition as others have said. Let all of Turcotte, QB, Vilardi, etc. learn the NHL game first and then figure out which of them can move over to center.

 

[Schmooley]

It might be easiest for QB to really break in and then transition as others have said. Let all of Turcotte, QB, Vilardi, etc. learn the NHL game first and then figure out which of them can move over to center.

Changing position to learn the NHL game is a bit of a crock. The truth is they wanted guys in their prime in key roles instead of rookies learning on the job.
It doesnt matter what position but finally put QB in a place to succeed and he is succeeding. He was succeeding as 3c between Iafallo and Vilardi also.
Teams put their top prospects in the lineup and they get caved defensively and make mistakes. It takes a while.
There is nothing normal about what the Kings are doing.
If they win a couple playoff rounds itll be worth it for the owners.

 

[Bandit]

Such a great interview with Mike Commodore. These stories are f***ing great.

I still can’t believe Babcock made it out of the parking lot after bennching Modano at 1499 games in the last game of the season.

 

[YP44]

I still can believe Babcock made it out of the parking lot after bennching Modano at 1499 games in the last game of the season.

what and asshole

 

[BigKing]

I think it's looking more and more likely that the optimal position for QB at the NHL level is going to be a scoring line wing. There is no question he has a ton of God-Given skill, but does he process the game well enough to be a 1C in the NHL? If the answer is no, is that really that big a deal?

The Kings putting QB as Kopitar's #1 LW has been the best development decision they have made in his three seasons in the organization. He looks comfortable in that role, way more comfortable than he has ever looked playing center. Let him play with AK at least through the end of AK's contract, and then at that point maybe re-evaluate. But I'd rather have a highly skilled 1st line winger for the next decade than try and force the issue that he HAS to be play center.

I still firmly believe the Kings will move him back to center but agree that this was the best thing to do with him right now.

I'm still of the belief that this kid lacks a natural killer instinct. Kind of the opposite mindset of guys like Durzi and Clarke. He need to have his confidence built up and that isn't going to happen in limited minutes with limited offensive players.

Playing him with the guy that is still the best offensive center on the team and giving him power play time is definitely one of the best development moves we've seen during Blake's tenure. Byfield has all the tools: he just needs to believe that is the case at the NHL level. Should be real fun to watch once it all clicks.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I still firmly believe the Kings will move him back to center but agree that this was the best thing to do with him right now.

I'm still of the belief that this kid lacks a natural killer instinct. Kind of the opposite mindset of guys like Durzi and Clarke. He need to have his confidence built up and that isn't going to happen in limited minutes with limited offensive players.

Playing him with the guy that is still the best offensive center on the team and giving him power play time is definitely one of the best development moves we've seen during Blake's tenure. Byfield has all the tools: he just needs to believe that is the case at the NHL level. Should be real fun to watch once it all clicks.

Byfield really does remind me of Kopitar. And we spent Kopitar’s entire career complaining about him not having that X factor and going for the jugular, etc etc.

“Demure” is a descriptor we always used for Kopitar, and I’m sure we’ll use it for Byfield, too. Certain players just have that kind of personality.

 

[Bandit]

what and asshole

I mean I’ve got no love for Modano but god damn. What a prick.

 

[ru4reals]

I still can’t believe Babcock made it out of the parking lot after bennching Modano at 1499 games in the last game of the season.

This has got to be one of the sh*ttiest things ever done by a coach. Playing in front of his hometown fans where he grew up in Livonia Michigan. What a freakin POS!!!

 

[Shellz]

Flames/Kraken is a good game

 

[crassbonanza]

Flames/Kraken is a good game

Yeah, I've been enjoying it. Great to see Lewis flying around on the PK

 

[Fishhead]

Vegas is in a tricky spot right now. The first 4 after the break aren't so bad, but then they have a really rough stretch in their following 11 - CAR (x2), TBL (x2), NJD, COL, DAL, and CGY with only 3 easier matchups mixed in. If they don't get things cleaned up before then they could be in trouble.

 

[johnjm22]

 

[KINGS17]

Byfield really does remind me of Kopitar. And we spent Kopitar’s entire career complaining about him not having that X factor and going for the jugular, etc etc.

“Demure” is a descriptor we always used for Kopitar, and I’m sure we’ll use it for Byfield, too. Certain players just have that kind of personality.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to find a skilled big man with a mean streak. Most skilled big men seem to be somewhat passive at times.

 

[Kingspiracy]

Maybe I should sit you down lol because I don’t know how long you have been on HF but there are and have been some bad mods on here that get in their feelings and start banning. The mods were always power tripping on this site. You’ve been the most level headed and least dramatic to start banning people. There’s a reason why HFBoards has lovely descriptions on UrbanDictionary.com

It doesnt look like RJ is sporting the blue paint any more.

 

[Sol]

It doesnt look like RJ is sporting the blue paint any more.

Even the best hang ‘em up