C Quinton Byfield - Sudbury Wolves, OHL (2020 Draft) II

[Peasy]

It's just confirmation bias, IMO. Some people want to see racism, so they do. It completely ignores the fact that Byfield has been gushed about for two years now. I'm pretty sure that he didn't become black only just very recently. I'm sure that the same scouts who are nitpicking him now were doing the gushing last year. They have the right to slightly sour on a prospect that they helped build up. It's only natural after a Word Juniors performance like his and the rise of Tim Stutzle, who is like the scouts' shiny new toy. Also, if you had Byfield at #2 for a full year and just recently put Stutzle there, it's only natural to feel compelled to explain why by bringing up concerns with one and raving about the other. Of all of the things to cry racism over, a black player who was the consensus #2 prospect for over a year finally slipping a spot or two feels to me like one of the silliest, to be honest.

Exactly. Just look at Nolan Patrick his draft year...

Although I'm sure racist people do exist in the NHL world. But not everyone that is moving him from 2 to 3 is due to "racism".

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

First of all Byfield plays in the east. He isnt 6'0 so why does it matter? I do not get it either point you are trying to make.

Byfield didn't make any of the categories in the east, either.
The point I'm trying to make is how much his size effects his draft ranking. There were a few people in the Marco Rossi thread who stated that if Rossi were 6'0" he'd be the #1 or #2 pick. My personal opinion here is that if Byfield were an average size player that he's maybe still in the top 10.

 

[Great Panda 2]

Byfield didn't make any of the categories in the east, either.
The point I'm trying to make is how much his size effects his draft ranking. There were a few people in the Marco Rossi thread who stated that if Rossi were 6'0" he'd be the #1 or #2 pick. My personal opinion here is that if Byfield were an average size player that he's maybe still in the top 10.

If Rossi had Byfield's skating, Rossi would be #2 in the draft. The thing that holds Rossi back is not the size but that he lacks the skating to overcome the size.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

If you read where this came from, the comment by Pronman, he wasn’t even saying that he’s criticized a lot because he’s black. He was commenting on one specific part of his game.

I really don’t think racism contributes to Byfield being one of the more criticized guys in this draft. I think it’s due more to his profile of player. Viewed as having all the tools by some to be a star, yet ranked 2/3. There’s clearly some disconnect there.

I also think some don’t remember that during Svechnikov’s draft year that there were a number of people who kept repeating a rumor with no merit that he was lying about his age. Players are trashed all the time. It’s not only Byfield. I don’t think it’s about race either.

 

[93LEAFS]

If Rossi had Byfield's skating, Rossi would be #2 in the draft. The thing that holds Rossi back is not the size but that he lacks the skating to overcome the size.

I wouldn't limit it to skating. It's more how much he relies on a power game at 5'9 (mainly holding off defenders to create time on the puck). Yes, skating is part of the issue, but its the combo of play-style and size which makes him risky for teams. He could prove his low center of gravity/style works in the NHL and make a bunch of people look foolish. But, it is more about people believing NHL defenders will outmuscle him and make the pick look bad. That is whats separating him from a bonafide top 3 picks, to a 4-12 guy. Whereas Byfield projects to play around 6'4-230, which should allow him to control play down low if properly coached. At worst, he should be a nightmare on the forecheck, middle-ground is a top 6 winger. I understand gambling on skill with limited size like Marner/Strome and it seems obvious the Coyotes lost that bet. I just don't think all size debates are created equal (Rossi relies way more on strength, compared to Marner relying on elusiveness).

Byfield is the ultimate high-upside pick, with what appears to be at least a top 9 floor.

 

[JPeeper]

I think his world junior performance is overlooked. Lafreniere performed similar the year before, and he’s 10 months older than Byfield so they’re very similar situations.

Not overlooked, over analyzed. Too many people put too much into that tournament.

You can't fault a 17 year old not dominating a 19 year old tournament. Like you mentioned Laf didn't do much his first tourney, McDavid's first tourney as a 17 year old (draft -1 year) was unremarkable. MacKinnon in his actual draft year was on the 4th line of the tournament and Drouin was on the top line dominating, look at them now.

He's put up numbers every where he has ever played, big ones. Kid is worthy of #2 overall.

 

[93LEAFS]

Not overlooked, over analyzed. Too many people put too much into that tournament.

You can't fault a 17 year old not dominating a 19 year old tournament. Like you mentioned Laf didn't do much his first tourney, McDavid's first tourney as a 17 year old (draft -1 year) was unremarkable. MacKinnon in his actual draft year was on the 4th line of the tournament and Drouin was on the top line dominating, look at them now.

He's put up numbers every where he has ever played, big ones. Kid is worthy of #2 overall.

You've mislabeled McDavid. He was the 2nd line center at 17 (and was also coming off a broken hand). Granted he was a rare player who was on his 2nd go around at that age. But both tournaments ended before his birthday.

Comparing prospects to guys like Crosby or McDavid and what they were accomplishing at certain ages is generally pointless. I'll argue Matthews or Eichel are the best non-McDavid prospects of this decade for ages, but even both of them were not iconic at the WJC at 17. It is very hard to make an impact and get the opportunity for a country deep in talent at that age.

 

[Gold Standard]

Not overlooked, over analyzed. Too many people put too much into that tournament.

You can't fault a 17 year old not dominating a 19 year old tournament. Like you mentioned Laf didn't do much his first tourney, McDavid's first tourney as a 17 year old (draft -1 year) was unremarkable. MacKinnon in his actual draft year was on the 4th line of the tournament and Drouin was on the top line dominating, look at them now.

He's put up numbers every where he has ever played, big ones. Kid is worthy of #2 overall.

McDavid's 1st. U20 tournament he was actually 16 years 11 months old. He turned 17 about a week after the tournament (Jan 13 b-day) had already concluded. but yes, he didn't have a McDavidesque type of tournament. His 2nd. kick at the can, a year later, when he was 17 years old 11 months was much much better.

We should expect nothing from these 16 and 17 year old players at the U20 tournament. That way they'll never disappoint.

I'd take Byfield at #2. and I hope he gets another 2nd. shot at the U20 tournament just like Lafreniere got a 2nd opp. and delivered. Hey, I hope we get a dream team tournament and Lafreniere gets a 3rd. shot and Byfield is his center, I have no doubt that Byfield would be in the running for tourney MVP.

 

[kings11]

Kopitar/Byfield/Vilardi/Turcotte.... that is all!

 

[The Lukeman]

Lisa Dillman had an interesting piece in her mailbag on the athletic today. She specifically asked Rob Blake about the interview with Quinton Byfield and he responded that they started the process this week.

To connect this with Mark Yannetti (Head scout for LA) has been saying, Los Angeles had not yet started working on the 2nd overall pick due to them having full momentum and focus on the later draft picks. Sounds like LA has finished that and has now shifted their attention to the 2nd overall pick this week.

 

[Gopher13]

Lisa Dillman had an interesting piece in her mailbag on the athletic today. She specifically asked Rob Blake about the interview with Quinton Byfield and he responded that they started the process this week.

To connect this with Mark Yannetti (Head scout for LA) has been saying, Los Angeles had not yet started working on the 2nd overall pick due to them having full momentum and focus on the later draft picks. Sounds like LA has finished that and has now shifted their attention to the 2nd overall pick this week.

This is how it should go....we got the 2nd pick...two seconds later....great we got Byfield. Now onto round 2 pick discussion...

 

[Kalv]

Lisa Dillman had an interesting piece in her mailbag on the athletic today. She specifically asked Rob Blake about the interview with Quinton Byfield and he responded that they started the process this week.

To connect this with Mark Yannetti (Head scout for LA) has been saying, Los Angeles had not yet started working on the 2nd overall pick due to them having full momentum and focus on the later draft picks. Sounds like LA has finished that and has now shifted their attention to the 2nd overall pick this week.

Huh? Teams start with latest picks instead of going top down?
Edit- I guess they might have a favorite favorite right now for #2 but it does make sense that they will do in-depth for it the last.

 

[93LEAFS]

Evander Kane was absolutely dragged through the mud for what was seen as attitude issues.

One of the publications called him Patrick Kane if Patrick wasn't skilled.

Evander Kane has turned out to be a pretty shitty person. I mean, in debt to a casino, two different sexual assault allegations, missed a practice cuz he wanted to go to the NBA all-star game, got drunk and missed his helicopter back to Buffalo.

By all accounts, Byfield is a good and hard-working kid.

 

[funky]

Byfield working with Gary Roberts to increase strength. Has not relied on it in the past. He could have a very improved D1 season. This is just a scary thought, especially because he is almost young enough to hit the 21 draft. In my mind he is closer to Lafreniere then he is to Stutzle.

 

[The Lukeman]

This is how it should go....we got the 2nd pick...two seconds later....great we got Byfield. Now onto round 2 pick discussion...

I am also on the Byfield train, but LA should do their due diligence on Stutzle. He is an elite player that has shown some unbelievable skill. I will be happy if we select Stutzle. There needs to be a long look at both players.

Huh? Teams start with latest picks instead of going top down?
Edit- I guess they might have a favorite favorite right now for #2 but it does make sense that they will do in-depth for it the last.

I think that decision came because they knew what pick # they had in rounds 2-7, but had no idea where they were drafting. Anywhere from 1-7. So before the lottery, they started with later picks, and they seemed to have just finished their work there.

 

[Ghetty Green]

Evander Kane has turned out to be a pretty shitty person. I mean, in debt to a casino, two different sexual assault allegations, missed a practice cuz he wanted to go to the NBA all-star game, got drunk and missed his helicopter back to Buffalo.

By all accounts, Byfield is a good and hard-working kid.

Did evander kane sleep with your girl ?

 

[93LEAFS]

Did evander kane sleep with your girl ?

Nope, just showed himself as unprofessional too many times to count. But, glad to see the maturity of an adolescent in your response.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So why is Evander Kane being discussed in a topic about Quinton Byfield?

 

[93LEAFS]

So why is Evander Kane being discussed in a topic about Quinton Byfield?

Someone claimed that Evander Kane was downplayed due to racism, and the same is happening to Byfield.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Byfield working with Gary Roberts to increase strength. Has not relied on it in the past. He could have a very improved D1 season. This is just a scary thought, especially because he is almost young enough to hit the 21 draft. In my mind he is closer to Lafreniere then he is to Stutzle.

Maybe he hasn't relied on it in the past, but just because he's not super muscular for his size doesn't mean he doesn't have a strength advantage. There's a strength advantage that comes with being 210-220 pounds when a lot of your competition is 170-180 pounds, regardless of the percentage of that weight that is fat compared to muscle.

 

[funky]

Maybe he hasn't relied on it in the past, but just because he's not super muscular for his size doesn't mean he doesn't have a strength advantage. There's a strength advantage that comes with being 210-220 pounds when a lot of your competition is 170-180 pounds, regardless of the percentage of that weight that is fat compared to muscle.

Never said otherwise. It’s just a scary thought how good his D1 season could be with him concentrating on some of his perceived weaknesses, including how to get stronger during this Covid extended layoff.

The kid was a ridiculously good player last year and is 6 months to almost a year younger than his peers in this draft.

At 6-4 to 6-5 combine with a thick frame and his skating ability he will still have a massive size advantage to 95% of the players in the NHL especially with the smaller players getting more chances.

there is no reason to think if he learns to use his strength to dominate the smaller jr competition he can’t carry that style into the new NHL.

I just love this kid. There is such a high ceiling in him I hope LA grabs him at 2

 

[eulatron]

Maybe someone can correct the record here, but I don't recall Evander Kane getting panned for his attitude and lack of vision/playmaking/hockey IQ at the time of his draft, either. He still has those problems to varying degrees to this day.

What's this have to do with Quinton Byfield?

 

[duul]

Hockey is so racist. I remember watching a broadcast a few years ago when a black player was compared to Wayne Simmonds. Can't remember who the player was but they basically played nothing alike. The commentator clearly just compared them based on what they look like. The other commentator was silent for a second, you could tell he caught it to and didn't know how to respond.

Wow, hockey IS racist. Can't believe a singular announcer in a game made this comparison. The sport needs to be torn down and rebuilt.

 

[BlackEye from Xhekaj]

Wow, hockey IS racist. Can't believe a singular announcer in a game made this comparison. The sport needs to be torn down and rebuilt.

I absolutely agree. The problem is black players have traditionally been given a lower role on teams (and I mean skill plays in for some where they had to play that way to stay in the game).. but guys like Worrell, Laraque, Brashear, McCarthy, Mayers, Reaves, Simmonds have all played the tough guy role..

So when far more offensively skilled players such as Subban, Kane, Chris Stewart (at one point), Okposo etc try to flash a skill game, they get told that they're not gritty enough, or sometimes seen as dirty players on the other end of the spectrum. Or because guys like Subban, Kane, Ho-Sang, Emery try to show any type of un-Crosby, anti-robotic personality in the game, they're immediately pegged as locker room cancers.

There is 100% a racial bias in hockey, whether it is conscious or subconscious for some, and it needs to be dealt with for the game to grow.

 

[ORRFForever]

Wow, hockey IS racist. Can't believe a singular announcer in a game made this comparison. The sport needs to be torn down and rebuilt.

I THINK you are being sarcastic.

I don't think hockey is racist.