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

[surixon]

I have to say I liked what I saw in the ozone. He's starting to integrate his size into his offensive game. He made some good reads and moved to the right areas like he did on the Vilardi goal. He also looked faster to me which allowed him to win more races.

Defensively he still needs a good amount of polish. He was often chasing the play and running around. That isn't uncommon though for such a young center. He has plenty of time grow in that role.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Kind of surprised he only had 12min TOI last night. I know it's 1 game....

 

[bert]

He looked way faster and more agile. Just turned 20 in August, his development curve was always going to be longer. Once he completely grows into that body he is going to be a force, was pleasantly surprised to see how much better he looked than last year.

 

[bsu]

Same as last year?

 

[William H Bonney]

Same as last year?

As a Kings fan I haven't changed my opinion of him based on anything he's shown this season (full caveat it's been 8 games). I just don't see anything exciting beyond his size (which he hasn't learned how to use and it's not a given that he does) and straight line speed. His hands, shot, agility, physical play, and hockey sense just don't stand out. It's not that those attributes are bad per se but they're not great either. He's still a young 20 though and a guy like him was always going to need more time to adjust and adapt because he's so accustomed to just skating fast around people because he was always so much bigger than everyone in youth and junior hockey.

I fully expect him to have a long NHL career but I'm not convinced it's as the star the Kings need and hope for out of a #2 pick. But still huge mound of salt as he's 20, he was always more of a project than a lot of folks expected given his hype and draft status, and he has intriguing tools to help him develop into more.

 

[Mr Buckles]

Sometimes I forget he exists.

 

[Kalv]

Well, Tage Thompson also took a while... they play quite differently tho.

Why has QB been scratched the past almost 2 weeks? Injury or just can't make the roster atm?

 

[JTeller97]

Well, Tage Thompson also took a while... they play quite differently tho.

Why has QB been scratched the past almost 2 weeks? Injury or just can't make the roster atm?

illness, back skating today.

 

[Garbageyuk]

He really isn’t that good. Upside is probably a bottom 6 guy at this point.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Patience.

I mean, the kings were almost ready to give up on Vilardi and he seems to be doing well now.

 

[Mattias]

Patience.

I mean, the kings were almost ready to give up on Vilardi and he seems to be doing well now.

Plus Kempe. We have a terrible history of ruling out prospects too early.

Almost like getting blessed with Matthews & McDavid has created unrealistic expectations.

If LA could have a first round prospect take a step forward, things are looking incredibly bright. Turcotte and Byfield have time to continue to improve.

 

[Nabrules]

Kings fans, wasn’t he playing pretty well his first 8 games before getting injured?

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Kings fans, wasn’t he playing pretty well his first 8 games before getting injured?

Definitely that was a good promising line but still no goals, something you would like to see as well. Apparently Byfield is now ill.

bsu is his biggest fan and is disappointed he cant criticize him for twee weeks already. He needed a critical update.

 

[Felidae]

He really isn’t that good. Upside is probably a bottom 6 guy at this point.

Given hes already a bottom 6 guy I think his upside is higher than that.

and according to Kings fans has been playing well. Some even saying his line was the best for a few games. There's still a lot of potential left.

 

[Peasy]

Got sent down today.

Probably wouldnt hurt if he spent the year down there.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Got sent down today.

Probably wouldnt hurt if he spent the year down there.

Quinton Bustfield confirmed.

 

[wetcoast]

Quinton Bustfield confirmed.

Absolutely as no prospect has ever developed after the age of 20 and then became a star in the NHL....

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Absolutely as no prospect has ever developed after the age of 20 and then became a star in the NHL....

Exactly!

 

[KapG]

Got sent down today.

Probably wouldnt hurt if he spent the year down there.

It’s probably only a conditioning stint since he’s been out sick for over a week.

I’m the games he’s played he’s looked pretty solid by all accounts so idk why he should stay down there….

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

He was loaned to the AHL team because he was sick and lost weight and strength, per McLellan:

“He’s back [on the ice], which is a great sign,” Todd McLellan said yesterday. “He lost a lot of weight and he’s going to need to get strong again. He’s going to need some time to recover.”

“I’ve always said I don’t think anybody should lose their spot to injury or illness, it’s outside of their control,” McLellan said. “Usually you lose your spot in the lineup based on indifferent play, so we’ll see when eveybody gets back. There’s no decision that has to be made right now on Quinton or Ras or anybody else in our lineup, because [Byfield] is not yet ready to play.”

“I’d like to do that with Iafallo and anybody that’s out, Sammy Fagemo in the minors, Turcotte, we want to get them all up to speed, because they’re all important players and Q is no different than anybody else,” McLellan added. “He needs energy, he needs strength and he’s got to feel good about himself. We’ll see where it goes this week.”

Kings loan forward Quinton Byfield to AHL-Ontario - LA Kings Insider

A Sunday roster move, Insiders. The LA Kings have loaned forward Quinton Byfield to the AHL’s Ontario Reign here on today’s off day. Byfield earned the 3C role coming out of training camp and took some noticeable strides early in the season, as he formed an effective third line with Alex Iafallo...

lakingsinsider.com

 

[MNRube]

He really isn’t that good. Upside is probably a bottom 6 guy at this point.

He was always going to a late bloomer IMO. Kings also suck at developing forwards

 

[goldnblack]

He was always going to a late bloomer IMO. Kings also suck at developing forwards

Do they? They always seem to have some good new names I don't know.

 

[KapG]

I wonder if he had Covid? Had it myself a couple weeks ago and I was absolutely useless for two weeks. That shit suuuuuuucks

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That’s two years In a row his offseason was undone by illness (plus last season’s injury).

Just want him to have a ‘normal’ season for once, between the covid years, his broken ankle, and now two major illnesses, his already longer timeline is stuttering.

He did look fantastic at the beginning of the year though and even though it’s looking like it was VIlardi elevating, they had excellent chemistry, Iafallo-Byfield-VIlardi is a great line on paper, a great mesh of attributes/skill sets I mean.

Do they? They always seem to have some good new names I don't know.

Kings are absolutely amazing at developing just-a-guys from any round but the first.

The jury is out on the blue chip talent, though. Look at the drafts since Kempe and how long it’s taken each guy, Kempe, VIlardi, Turcotte, Byfield, Clarke…

Luckily Kempe really broke thru at 25 and VIlardi at 23.

 

[canuck2010]

Kings are absolutely amazing at developing just-a-guys from any round but the first.

The jury is out on the blue chip talent, though. Look at the drafts since Kempe and how long it’s taken each guy, Kempe, VIlardi, Turcotte, Byfield, Clarke…

Luckily Kempe really broke thru at 25 and VIlardi at 23.

Vilardi has been held back back by serious back injury for a number years. Amazing that he is able to play at all.