Byfield signs 5 year, $6.25M per extension

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Now on pace to finish the year with 21 goals. After such an ice cold start, that's really impressive.

He's positively flipped the script on how he scores, this year it's all shots/snipes. Real snipes. Complete opposite from last year—not that there's anything wrong with potting 20 cleaning up around the net and tipping pucks. He's just a more dangerous player out there today.
 
Now on pace to finish the year with 21 goals. After such an ice cold start, that's really impressive.

He's positively flipped the script on how he scores, this year it's all shots/snipes. Real snipes. Complete opposite from last year—not that there's anything wrong with potting 20 cleaning up around the net and tipping pucks. He's just a more dangerous player out there today.
Agreed.

I thought he would have had a hotter start/better goals earlier in the season, as I thought the shot was something he would have worked on in the offseason.

But turns out it was a bit later.

It's why, while the numbers weren't great, I was still optimistic. He has played very good hockey for the most part. There were times his shots weren't going in, and his decision-making in games were that of someone not having confidence.

I still maintain he should have been given more minutes sooner, as his confidence seems to grow the more coaches show they trust him.
 
Agreed.

I thought he would have had a hotter start/better goals earlier in the season, as I thought the shot was something he would have worked on in the offseason.

But turns out it was a bit later.

It's why, while the numbers weren't great, I was still optimistic. He has played very good hockey for the most part. There were times his shots weren't going in, and his decision-making in games were that of someone not having confidence.

I still maintain he should have been given more minutes sooner, as his confidence seems to grow the more coaches show they trust him.
Agree. I think there was a clear focus on his defensive game earlier this season. I agree with what you say about how he responds to a coaches trust. I said if frequently regarding how TMac mishandled him.
 
Agree. I think there was a clear focus on his defensive game earlier this season. I agree with what you say about how he responds to a coaches trust. I said if frequently regarding how TMac mishandled him.

He looked hesitant and like he was thinking too much...makes sense with the move to C.
 
Byfield was smart enough to know on the Kings, Defence gets you minutes. He worked hard on his defensive acumen and was given more time. Then he knew to supplant Kopitar he needed more offensive jam and started working on his shot.

Hw was then given a pure offensive winger that was miscast on the third and forth line to gel with. Who knew putting an offensive dynamo like Fiala with another true skilled player that can react to his moves would work. Mind blowing.

At the end of this year if nothing else , going into next year, we have three quality topline players. Byfield, Kempe and Fiala. We haven’t been able to say that in a while. I’m wondering if my phone is somehow going to my iPad and that’s why I’m not getting I can do that.

We also have a solid goalie signed two more years with a solid pipeline behind him

Our new offensive defenseman is growing and starting to earn some trust. Our free agent defenseman wants to actually sign in LA or defensiveCore is rather good if used properly.

Pups like Laf, Turcotte, Helenius are all looking a lot better than a year ago

We will have a ton of money to address some needs this off-season.

Things are not looking quite as bad as they were a year ago, and we now have Byfield leading the charge. Just let him and Clarke take over power play one and sign a right shot sniper in the off-season
 
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Nobody 'mishandled' Byfield. It's called being a young player who needs time to develop.
Strongly disagree. Byfield needs to feel his coach trusts him and TMac may as well have said he didn’t when he started at C. Even if he isn’t fully trusted a good coach needs to make him feel trusted, that’s where he was mishandled. As soon as he was on the top line (and stuck there) it was a sign of trust and the switch flicked, but as history tells us it was almost certainly Kopitar that made it happen.

With QB it was always about how you handle him mentally. It’s been obvious since junior and I’ve been pointing it out for several years. I’m not the only one, so I don’t claim to be some sort of savant.
 
I think it's interesting to solve two problems at once--finding a linemate fit for Fiala and a linemate fit for Byfield. I know we had kind of asked for them to have more time together, but it seemed like both of their games needed to 'click' before putting them back together, and now they're unstoppable.
 
I think it's interesting to solve two problems at once--finding a linemate fit for Fiala and a linemate fit for Byfield. I know we had kind of asked for them to have more time together, but it seemed like both of their games needed to 'click' before putting them back together, and now they're unstoppable.
Wait until Marner is on their wing. I kid but one more high talent right shot guy on that line makes them a true top line.

If Gav re-sins like expected our D is set and balanced. He might get a $750,000 a year raise. Both Clarke and Spence should see growth.

Lee slots into the Lewis slot, no cost difference

Jeannot may get term but no raise if re- signed

Kuemper is 1 but a better backup is needed. Portillo should get a shot but a veteran back up better that Dave costs an extra $750,000 a year.

Our only significant raise will be Laf and Blake has done well in those bridge contracts.

Cap is going up 7.5, the 4.5 mil we spent in bonuses and Provarov is gone, and we can easily gain a million by dumping Burroughs.

We should be able to outright by an offensive winger and not sweat about it. I am curious to see what Laf gets. Still see that kids offensive game bumping up one more level.

If we trade Moore and Laf bumps down to his spot we have 20 million minus Laf’s salary to spend on two top line right shot scoring forwards and still be able to ice the 24man roster.
 

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