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

[brakeyawself]

Idk if people are comparing the two, they aren’t watching hockey. Stutzle is a lock barring injury.

The way that team is built, they're going to end up with like 3-4 HHOFers. When they finally hit their prime, going to be, theoretically, a decade long contender. Especially adding Chyrchun, to Chabot, Sanderson etc... Assuming Stutzle and Norris remain 1-2c respectively, those wingers will keep them well fed, producing more than they probably would on many other teams.

 

[MNRube]

The way that team is built, they're going to end up with like 3-4 HHOFers. When they finally hit their prime, going to be, theoretically, a decade long contender. Especially adding Chyrchun, to Chabot, Sanderson etc... Assuming Stutzle and Norris remain 1-2c respectively, those wingers will keep them well fed, producing more than they probably would on many other teams.

It’s an above-average core but not a single piece is currently on a HHOF trajectory.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I swear to god we cannot discuss a single King on this site without it turning into an Ottawa Senators organization circle jerk.

 

[brakeyawself]

It’s an above-average core but not a single piece is currently on a HHOF trajectory.

Because most of them are still like under 24 years old...... that's the entire point.

 

[Mats26]

The way that team is built, they're going to end up with like 3-4 HHOFers. When they finally hit their prime, going to be, theoretically, a decade long contender. Especially adding Chyrchun, to Chabot, Sanderson etc... Assuming Stutzle and Norris remain 1-2c respectively, those wingers will keep them well fed, producing more than they probably would on many other teams.

Until cap space or cheap owners kick you in the balls...again!

 

[Lt Dan]

I swear to god we cannot discuss a single King on this site without it turning into an Ottawa Senators organization circle jerk.

It's really sad that certain parts of that fanbase's life are so meaningless that this is their sole source of enjoyment.

It really makes no sense to me. One would figure that they would focus on a division rival and not a random team on the other conference who drafted one spot before them.

My guess that they are trying to make the hockey world forget about this

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

As a Canadian, we need this kid, in 4 years, to be a monster. Seeing him, tonight, gives me confidence it will happen. With LAF putting up 2 against Boston, maybe the young guns are about to breakout and shine?

I think Byfield has the potential to be a bonafide asset for Canadian hockey. He's showing the kind of progression you want to see in a big bodied center. I think he could be a future bottom 6 player on Canada's best on best roster.

Lafreniere, I wouldn't be so sure. He's progressing but I don't think there is too much meat left on that bone. He probably tops out as a ~65 point complimentary winger. I would imagine Canada's best on best roster would have at least a 20-30 better options than that on the wing

 

[Herby]

Byfield is better as a winger, it’s so painfully obvious that everything about his play is better on the wing, and it’s not even close. He has looked awful as a center and very good as a winger despite little experience playing the position. He just doesn’t have the game sense needed to be a star center, but his athleticism and skill could have him be a 1st line lw. But judging by the quotes from the Kings they are going to try and force the square peg next season by putting him back at C instead of letting him continue to grow and develop into a potential star winger.

It’s not ideal to draft a winger #2 overall, and it’s especially difficult for the Kings with Kopitar nearing the end of his career, Vilardi also ending up being worlds better as a wing, Kupari settling in as a solid 4th line center and Turcotte looking like a flop for where they took him, it leaves the Kings dangerously thin at C a couple of years from now, but I think you have to do play to the players strength, and with QB that’s as a wing and not a center.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

How could a team with 3-4 future HOFers lose 5-0 to the Blackhawks AHL roster like that last night?

 

[SoundAndFury]

Byfield is better as a winger, it’s so painfully obvious that everything about his play is better on the wing, and it’s not even close. He has looked awful as a center and very good as a winger despite little experience playing the position. He just doesn’t have the game sense needed to be a star center, but his athleticism and skill could have him be a 1st line lw. But judging by the quotes from the Kings they are going to try and force the square peg next season by putting him back at C instead of letting him continue to grow and develop into a potential star winger.

While in general I would be inclined to agree in Byfield's case, it doesn't hurt to try. Kuznetsov, for example, played very few games at center before moving to the NHL and generally was pretty awful at it (at the professional level). Didn't exactly thrive in his rookie season either despite being pretty old for a rookie. The arguments for him being better at wing were pretty similar. But from the second season, it just clicked, he figured it out.

Byfield is 20. That is very young. They shouldn't be fixated into making him a center no matter what but it's also way too early to say he can't be a successful one. And this great stint on the wing is a very good sign that his progress is in no way over.

How could a team full of future HOFers lose 5-0 to the Blackhawks AHL roster like that last night?

Did you not read the thread title or just got lost?

 

[ORRFForever]

I think Byfield has the potential to be a bonafide asset for Canadian hockey. He's showing the kind of progression you want to see in a big bodied center. I think he could be a future bottom 6 player on Canada's best on best roster.

Lafreniere, I wouldn't be so sure. He's progressing but I don't think there is too much meat left on that bone. He probably tops out as a ~65 point complimentary winger. I would imagine Canada's best on best roster would have at least a 20-30 better options than that on the wing

You are right on both.

Laf does not seem to have another gear. I hope I'm wrong.

As for Byfield, the hope he is another Tage - it's a LOT to ask but, obviously, Canadians would be happy with something close.

 

[ORRFForever]

A lot of posters sure are down on QB. It's unfortunate to see.

I only saw the 3rd period, last night, but he was miles ahead of where he was last year.

Having said that, I don't think the Kings handled him well - he should have been in either the CHL or AHL before 2023.

Note : The Rangers also handled LAF poorly - but that is for another thread.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

A lot of posters sure are down on QB. It's unfortunate to see.

I only saw the 3rd period, last night, but he was miles ahead of where he was last year.

Having said that, I don't think the Kings handled him well - he should have been in either the CHL or AHL before 2023.

Note : The Rangers also handled LAF poorly - but that is for another thread.

Rangers did not handle Lafreniere poorly, he was just overhyped unimpressive prospect compared to Stutzle who looked like superstar.

 

[Random Comment]

Rangers did not handle Lafreniere poorly, he was just overhyped unimpressive prospect compared to Stutzle who looked like superstar.

one of the issues with going to contending teams like the Rangers, and lesser so LA, is that you tend to have less of a leash for mistakes. Young players need to make mistakes. Many old school coaches don’t allow this because either 1) they are concerned with their job and not the long term health of the team, or 2) they are stubborn like Tortorella.

Erik Karlsson a good example of a talent who was allowed to make mistakes early on in his career.

Ultimately some talents will develop well regardless of coach. But I’m under the belief that early career coaching can have a big impact on development, especially with highly creative prospects.

 

[Felidae]

Barring an injury he’s a lock. He’s already a PPG player at 20. I can’t wait to resurrect this thread in 18-20 years for the « I told you so ». Gonna be an embarrassing look for u

There's been plenty of players that started out excellent only to flame out early or never take their game to the next level.

Look at Barzal, just on the outside of being top 10 in points in his first season as a 20 year old. Quite frankly a more impressive rookie season than a lot of players that make the HHOF. It's been 6 years since and he hasn't come close to reaching those offensive heights even though he should have taken another step in his offense.

And on the other side of the coin, there are players that at the start of their careers, you would have never thought they'd carve out a HHOF career if you based it off their first 3 seasons like you have with Stutzle. St Louis, The Sedins, Chara are probably the best recent examples.

You just never know what's gonna happen. Development from year to year isn't always an upward trajectory.

Unless you're Crosby/Ovechkin/McDavid level where your already among the best in your first season, its pretty difficult to predict how things will go for a player

 

[ORRFForever]

Rangers did not handle Lafreniere poorly, he was just overhyped unimpressive prospect compared to Stutzle who looked like superstar.

He should have played in a lower league for the last couple years - as opposed to riding the pines.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

He should have played in a lower league for the last couple years - as opposed to riding the pines.

Iv'e said on our forum many times--not just re: Byfield--that high-end players need reps and time with the puck. It's not a shock at all that moving Byfield, Vilardi, even Anderson-Dolan up with more skilled players has resulted in them being able to use their offensive IQ and raw skills to be more productive or more effective, resulting in snowballing confidence.

 

[Akrapovince]

Until cap space or cheap owners kick you in the balls...again!

Nah, our pro scouting will do that for us.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

This is a Byfield thread, bringing up Stutzle or Laf should be automatically deleted.
Byfield is doing pretty damn well for going through a lot of adversity. He should end up being a very good top-6 winger for the Kings.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

The way that team is built, they're going to end up with like 3-4 HHOFers. When they finally hit their prime, going to be, theoretically, a decade long contender. Especially adding Chyrchun, to Chabot, Sanderson etc... Assuming Stutzle and Norris remain 1-2c respectively, those wingers will keep them well fed, producing more than they probably would on many other teams.

Just 3 or 4 ?

Probably 5 or 6.

 

[Jericho111091]

Physicality still isn't a huge part of QB's game but he's getting a bit better at using his frame to his advantage, even has a few nice hits.

 

[King'sPawn]

He looks good but don’t need a banner from the rafters every time he gets an assist

You're in an odd thread to complain about Byfield updates. Has the option of "don't read a thread" been considered?

 

[Bfan14]

Just 3 or 4 ?

Probably 5 or 6.

Why stop at 6? Shane Pinto could be a Bergeron clone, didn't you hear?

I haven't caught many LA games since the New Year, can LA fans chime in whats keep Byfield's production down vs his linemates despite some impressive other metrics?

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Why stop at 6? Shane Pinto could be a Bergeron clone, didn't you hear?

I haven't caught many LA games since the New Year, can LA fans chime in whats keep Byfield's production down vs his linemates despite some impressive other metrics?

He's bricked several golden chances that he'll hopefully start burying.

There have also been several notable times where he's made a key contributing play to what results in a goal but where he was the "third" assist on it so he doesn't actually end up on the scoresheet. That was especially true the first month or so of his time with Kopitar and Kempe when he first started looking like more of a force with his body position and tenacity along the walls and on the forecheck.

Most nights since the New Year his play has passed the eye test and gets backed up by the underlying numbers, but there's still some inconsistency where he's not at the same level every night. It's been a general positive upward trend, though.

 

[Schmooley]

Why stop at 6? Shane Pinto could be a Bergeron clone, didn't you hear?

I haven't caught many LA games since the New Year, can LA fans chime in whats keep Byfield's production down vs his linemates despite some impressive other metrics?

His shot isnt that good and hes really tentative with his shooting. He is turning into a great distributer though. Hes setting up other players with nifty passes in any kind of space in tight or on the rush.
He is looking a lot like Joe Thornton even how he does that same move where he pulls up right when he crosses the blueline.
If he can work on his shot and build his confidence scoring it would help a lot. After his very first game there isnt another time he used his speed and body to just drive the net with the puck like a power forward. He is a power forward without the puck though starting to throw his weight around and use his body and speed defensively.
So for comparable its less Rick Nash/Lindros/Malkin and more Thornton. Not that hes exactly like any of these guys but in the style.