C Quinton Byfield (2020, 2nd, LAK) part IV

[Raccoon Jesus]

You're gonna hate me for this, but he was stopped by Christian Fischer. He still needs to work on his strength. In juniors, he could put himself into those positions without getting beaten or injured because the other players were a lot smaller than him. That won't always work in the NHL, where there are guys his own size who can plaster him like we saw. He doesn't necessarily need to get bigger, IMO. He mostly needs to use the size that he has and shrug contact off, like Kopitar, or avoid vulnerable situations in the first place.

There's nothing disagreeable here, that's the main thing, a big guy getting used to his size, or at least being more aware of vulnerability.

Other than that moment, I'd argue he was really beginning to understand how valuable his size, speed, and reach was, and unfortunately the only reason he recklessly put himself in that position was the building confidence that he could enter contact and run away with the puck. It's gonna take more time but I think he showed a LOT of advancement in the understanding of his tools vs. men.

 

[Quinton Byfield]

Here's a fun fact. Byfield is only 2-3 months older than Michigan's returning Big 3. 3 players drafted in the top 5 of this year's draft. Players still learning how to play at the collegiate level. It's okay that Byfield isn't ready to play against men. Noone would be down on Eklund if he wasn't ready to play in the NHL, and there's only 2 months separating the two.

People look at his size and just have these expectations of how he should be ready, of how he's a disappointment already. Ridiculous. The guy is still growing into his body (apparently 6'5 now) and is still a lanky kid. He'll be fine.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Here's a fun fact. Byfield is only 2-3 months older than Michigan's returning Big 3. 3 players drafted in the top 5 of this year's draft. Players still learning how to play at the collegiate level. It's okay that Byfield isn't ready to play against men. Noone would be down on Eklund if he wasn't ready to play in the NHL, and there's only 2 months separating the two.

People look at his size and just have these expectations of how he should be ready, of how he's a disappointment already. Ridiculous. The guy is still growing into his body (apparently 6'5 now) and is still a lanky kid. He'll be fine.

To add to this, I've been watching Byfield since he started in the OHL with Sudbury and although he's a huge kid he doesn't use his body like a power forward. He's a great skater with amazing skill. Give him a couple years to gain some muscle mass, and get used of playing against men.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Here's a fun fact. Byfield is only 2-3 months older than Michigan's returning Big 3. 3 players drafted in the top 5 of this year's draft. Players still learning how to play at the collegiate level. It's okay that Byfield isn't ready to play against men. Noone would be down on Eklund if he wasn't ready to play in the NHL, and there's only 2 months separating the two.

People look at his size and just have these expectations of how he should be ready, of how he's a disappointment already. Ridiculous. The guy is still growing into his body (apparently 6'5 now) and is still a lanky kid. He'll be fine.

Fun fact, forwards born in Q2 and Q3 of their draft year on average score fewer points than forwards born in Q4.

Regarding defensemen, it doesn't matter what quarter they are born in. (For those of you who think that Luke Hughes is the 2nd coming of Bobby Orr because he was almost a 2022 draftee, his age means jack squat.)

We know about size bias in drafting, but do we understand age bias? - Pension Plan Puppets

Age Bias at the NHL Draft - Hockey Talk blog (weebly.com)

Born at the Wrong Time: Selection Bias in the NHL Draft

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

FWIW, back on track



Didn't expect him to be playing games until the turn of the year but if he can get some AHL conditioning in around Christmas all the better!

 

[Reddawg]

Bodes well for a return pretty soon, he wouldn’t be skating on an ankle injury unless he was pretty close.

 

[ponder]

He’s back, played for the Reign on both Friday and Saturday. I think still no word on whether he’ll be made available for the WJCs? Fingers crossed, a team with Byfield, Perfetti, Power, McTavish, Kent Johnson, Wright, Bedard, Lambos, Guhle, Lapierre, Guenther, Neighbours, Cossa, etc. would be super exciting to watch! Byfield would be one of the best players on the team too, a chance for him to be a real star for Canada after more supporting roles in past years - likely the 1C if he plays?

 

[kings11]

He’s back, played for the Reign on both Friday and Saturday. I think still no word on whether he’ll be made available for the WJCs? Fingers crossed, a team with Byfield, Perfetti, Power, McTavish, Kent Johnson, Wright, Bedard, Lambos, Guhle, Lapierre, Guenther, Neighbours, Cossa, etc. would be super exciting to watch! Byfield would be one of the best players on the team too, a chance for him to be a real star for Canada after more supporting roles in past years - likely the 1C if he plays?

He’s not going to the WJC, once his conditioning assignment is done he’ll be the Kings 3C… end of story

 

[ponder]

He’s not going to the WJC, once his conditioning assignment is done he’ll be the Kings 3C… end of story

I think this is the most likely path, but any source/confirmation? Or just personal opinion?

 

[driller1]

I think this is the most likely path, but any source/confirmation? Or just personal opinion?

QB confirmed this in an interview. Besides, Kings won’t do Team Canada any favors after the Clarke snub.

 

[kings11]

I think this is the most likely path, but any source/confirmation? Or just personal opinion?

Byfield himself stated his only goal is to finish rehab then play in the NHL..

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

No 'real' word other than QB saying via interview recovery for NHL is his focus and personally I'll just say all the behind-the-scenes smoke is they were leaning towards no before the Clarke snub but between that and Byfield 4C stuff for the last few years, they've all (QB and staff) agreed to pass. Take it for what it's worth (they weren't going to say no to Byfield but he's said he's not interested).

 

[FOurteenS inCisOr]

QB confirmed this in an interview. Besides, Kings won’t do Team Canada any favors after the Clarke snub.

I doubt the Kings have the thought/concern to be that petty.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

I don't think anyone who follows the Kings expects QB to be made available at this point

 

[ponder]

Fair enough, sounds highly unlikely

 

[Gold Standard]

I'm fine with QB staying in the AHL and working his way back into a NHL lineup. Wish him quick recovery.

Perhaps an invite to the WHC in May...provided of course his level of play warrants a tournament invite. I'm not convinced yet, but we'll have to see where he's at in March/April.

 

[bsu]

Finally gets healthy then immediately gets COV... He can't catch a break.

My old roommate is dying to see him in the NHL and I am curious to see how he looks too after he supposedly had a strong camp.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

Stutzle is still snakebitten and finding his way and is only older than Byfield by 6 months. So there's that. I have no doubt Byfield will figure it out plus he'll probably have better players to work with.

 

[Akrapovince]

Selfishly wish he would’ve gone to World Juniors to dominate but guess that isn’t in anyone’s best interest except my own.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Selfishly wish he would’ve gone to World Juniors to dominate but guess that isn’t in anyone’s best interest except my own.

I just think of how freakishly big he looks even amongst AHL/NHLers now and think it would be comical to see him against kids at this point, can kind of see why he didn't throw his weight around so much before too--like sure maybe it's not his game but he'd absolutely murder an 18 year old at this point. Watching him manhandle three grown men on the boards repeatedly never gets old, now he knows he CAN use his size and is starting to pick up tips on it.

 

[bsu]

I just think of how freakishly big he looks even amongst AHL/NHLers now and think it would be comical to see him against kids at this point, can kind of see why he didn't throw his weight around so much before too--like sure maybe it's not his game but he'd absolutely murder an 18 year old at this point. Watching him manhandle three grown men on the boards repeatedly never gets old, now he knows he CAN use his size and is starting to pick up tips on it.

I don't think he has a mean bone in his body..... the good news is he got the speed, size and skill to be great if developed correctly.

 

[Akrapovince]

I just think of how freakishly big he looks even amongst AHL/NHLers now and think it would be comical to see him against kids at this point, can kind of see why he didn't throw his weight around so much before too--like sure maybe it's not his game but he'd absolutely murder an 18 year old at this point. Watching him manhandle three grown men on the boards repeatedly never gets old, now he knows he CAN use his size and is starting to pick up tips on it.

With my limited viewing and knowledge of Byfield, I don’t think throwing his weight around is a necessity.

He’s smart enough to weaponize it in a way that he frames his opponent out of play, much like Draisatl does along the boards and power drives towards the net.

I’m sure he’s going to engage physically more at the national league level, but his placement of his size is elite. Even when he’s not throwing it around.

One of the most unique packages I’ve seen in a prospect. Very lucky that Ottawa didn’t have the choice to choose between him and Stützle.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

With my limited viewing and knowledge of Byfield, I don’t think throwing his weight around is a necessity.

He’s smart enough to weaponize it in a way that he frames his opponent out of play, much like Draisatl does along the boards and power drives towards the net.

I’m sure he’s going to engage physically more at the national league level, but his placement of his size is elite. Even when he’s not throwing it around.

One of the most unique packages I’ve seen in a prospect. Very lucky that Ottawa didn’t have the choice to choose between him and Stützle.

Yeah, and he's got a great mentor for just absorbing contact in Kopitar. Similar big body who rarely hits, but Byfield is even slipperier.

 

[Rob Brown]

 

[PittsburghHustlers]

Nice, hopefully he gets going now! With all these youngsters tearing up the league QB should be able to put up a lot more points than he currently is.