I don't disagree with your overall point but I take issue with some of the premises
Byfield is carrying Kopitar around in his backpack right now, if he was to take faceoffs instead of line up at the circle there wouldn't be much difference. He's the one doing all the heavy defensive lifting at both ends. Don't shortchange him here.
Also, the 'total points' argument is what people have been saying Kopitar's whole career, too, there's a lot that Byfield brings that isn't captured well--yes he needs to enter a higher production territory but also in a year in which he started slow and started growing 'total points' would be a dishonest argument altogether if I didn't know you better.
Much like Kopitar though I can see an argument for taking Byfield over Hughes and others eventually if not right now--when the guy has an 'off night' he's still bringing a lot of forechecking and defense, his 'b' game is a high floor, non liability, keeping pressure down the ice. While i don't think it's really worth going down the roster of under 23 players and splitting hairs since it's going to be as much about preference/style as it is about qualifications, I don't think people are out to lunch to suggest the player 'type' QB is turning out to be is the kind they would prefer (although again as I agree with your conclusion--he's not quite there yet).
