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

[BlackEye from Xhekaj]

Really like the potential ceiling of Byfield. If he reaches his ceiling, I think he’s a more valuable piece to a team’s success than any player in this coming draft. The concern is will he reach this ceiling? He could bust too, or simply plateau at a third line, big body, energy (checking) kind of guy. He’s a big guy now, who is dominating playing against much smaller boys. How will his game translate to playing against men, who equal to him in physicality?
Could be a huge win to the team that takes him, but also has risk.

Well he doesn't play a 3rd line checking role type of game.. so no, more than likely that isn't where he'll end up. Byfield hasn't been the consensus #2 (Stutzle's recent late rise aside) for a couple of years now because he MAY be good or MAY top out as a 3rd line checking C. He has all the tools to be a successful scoring line C in the NHL (think a passing version of Matthews).. neither are overly physical, use their bodies to protect/hide the puck, and make the players around them better.

I get Stutzle is flashy and plays a fun style of game, but Byfield offers skill, speed, a great shot, the frame. These thoughts that he's some future Brian Boyle I just don't understand.

 

[BigKing]

Really like the potential ceiling of Byfield. If he reaches his ceiling, I think he’s a more valuable piece to a team’s success than any player in this coming draft. The concern is will he reach this ceiling? He could bust too, or simply plateau at a third line, big body, energy (checking) kind of guy. He’s a big guy now, who is dominating playing against much smaller boys. How will his game translate to playing against men, who equal to him in physicality?
Could be a huge win to the team that takes him, but also has risk.

This is the really fun part: the only thing he is really doing with his size is taking advantage of his reach and wingspan. He is dominating at this level because his skill set is so top notch and not because he is just bullying smaller players. This is why you hear so much about his ceiling: when he becomes a man, tops out at 225 and then learns how to use his size effectively it is curtains for opposing defenses.

 

[Fatass]

This is the really fun part: the only thing he is really doing with his size is taking advantage of his reach and wingspan. He is dominating at this level because his skill set is so top notch and not because he is just bullying smaller players. This is why you hear so much about his ceiling: when he becomes a man, tops out at 225 and then learns how to use his size effectively it is curtains for opposing defenses.

I agree, but the boys he’s currently playing against aren’t able to challenge him physically. How will Byfield s game translate when playing against men, who challenge him physically? If he’s able to translate his skill, while competing physically against men, then he’s (imo) the most impactful player in the draft. If not, he’s going to be considered a bust, even though he likely still has a bottom six role on a team.

 

[Fatass]

Well he doesn't play a 3rd line checking role type of game.. so no, more than likely that isn't where he'll end up. Byfield hasn't been the consensus #2 (Stutzle's recent late rise aside) for a couple of years now because he MAY be good or MAY top out as a 3rd line checking C. He has all the tools to be a successful scoring line C in the NHL (think a passing version of Matthews).. neither are overly physical, use their bodies to protect/hide the puck, and make the players around them better.

I get Stutzle is flashy and plays a fun style of game, but Byfield offers skill, speed, a great shot, the frame. These thoughts that he's some future Brian Boyle I just don't understand.

Then what role will Byfield play if he can’t translate his skill game to playing against men in the NHL? Does he follow a path of a guy like Nuchuskin?

 

[SFKingshomer]

Then what role will Byfield play if he can’t translate his skill game to playing against men in the NHL? Does he follow a path of a guy like Nuchuskin?

Jordan Staal #2/#3 defensive center if he wants to remain in the NHL.

 

[Fatass]

Jordan Staal #2/#3 defensive center if he wants to remain in the NHL.

Agreed, but only if he’s mentally tough enough to give up offensive numbers to play hard nosed, in your face, it actually hurts to play, hockey 82 games (plus playoffs).
He appears to be a super high IQ, and character young guy, so I would expect he could accomplish that. His size and skill are so tantalizing though, that (if he does translate to the NHL well) he’s going to be fabulous.

 

[BigKing]

I agree, but the boys he’s currently playing against aren’t able to challenge him physically. How will Byfield s game translate when playing against men, who challenge him physically? If he’s able to translate his skill, while competing physically against men, then he’s (imo) the most impactful player in the draft. If not, he’s going to be considered a bust, even though he likely still has a bottom six role on a team.

I know that Malkin comparisons are out there but I don't see him ever having as much of a physical edge to his game as Malkin.

So then you have Kopitar comparisons which, I get it, can seem lazy and only started being made when it looked like the Kings might be the team to draft Byfield. The thing with Kopitar is that he has been around for so long and most people's real intro to him was during the Kings title runs that they only have the idea of this Selke-level defensive monster that plays a real safe and smart game. He didn't just come in as a rookie though and play like that: he used to do a lot more end-to-end transition stuff, dangles and dancing around the ice since he is super skilled. Kopitar is also huge but has like maybe three big hits in his entire career; however, he does use his size effectively without being this killing machine out there.

I want every big and skilled guy to be Eric Lindros. It's fun as hell to watch. So that's the thing with Byfield: what does competing physically at the NHL level mean? If the kid is as committed as he appears to be (Has the Gary Roberts workout thing going on already) then I believe he will put on his man weight and play the game the way he needs to play to be successful. Will he be out there running guys through the glass and five rows in to the stands? Probably not but I don't think he is going to bust because he winds up being a softy.

If he goes to LA, he probably has the best mentor he could ask for in Kopitar. A "pro's pro" hockey machine that he can learn how to effectively use his size from.

 

[Nsjohnson]

Really like the potential ceiling of Byfield. If he reaches his ceiling, I think he’s a more valuable piece to a team’s success than any player in this coming draft. The concern is will he reach this ceiling? He could bust too, or simply plateau at a third line, big body, energy (checking) kind of guy. He’s a big guy now, who is dominating playing against much smaller boys. How will his game translate to playing against men, who equal to him in physicality?
Could be a huge win to the team that takes him, but also has risk.

I agree 100%. I am not convinced he will be elite in the NHL- though I'm also not saying I think he won't be. He is talented and big. I hope he reaches for the stars.

 

[Osprey]

Kings color commentator Jim Fox was asked in a fan Q&A this week to choose between Byfield and Stutzle:

Q: Byfield or Stutzle?????
A: Everything I read and everyone I talk to puts both players as potential star NHLer’s and very close when you compare each player side-by-side. Having said that, here are some of the things that stand out: Byfield has the rare combination of top end speed with size and power. Byfield’s acceleration is impressive for a player his size, but overall, Stutzle’s agility, quick feet and quick hands, make him the more dangerous 1 on 1 player. Stutzle’s creativity, puck possession and ability to open up passing and shooting lanes, all stem from his footwork. As far as shooting, Stutzle needs to improve in this area and shooting is an area I believe can be improved if prioritized, as compared to skating, where I believe the chances to improve dramatically are very difficult to accomplish. While Byfield, not considered to be a sniper, has a solid combination of power and accuracy with his shot, he likes to shoot off-the-rush and has an effective outside-inside move to get shots off. Hockey sense is a very difficult area to analyze, especially without watching any player in multiple games and in multiple game situations. For Stutzle, you must start with his 1 on 1 danger assets, which go a long way to buying himself time and space to “make things happen,” with vision and sense. Byfield seems to possess and solid understanding of when to shot or when to pass.

As you can tell, these players are extremely close in many areas and this will be a difficult choice. If I had to break the tie (and I could go into this in depth, but it would take a couple of hours), this is how I break that tie. Although both players can play center, it appears that Byfield will be the more “natural” NHL center. Stutzle seems to possess the more dangerous 1 on 1 skill, but here is where I go a little deeper. I believe 1 on 1 skill superiority usually shrinks a touch when moving for a lower level to the NHL level, so until I see it at the NHL level, the 1 on 1 skill advantage is neutralized a bit. Bottom line, the very rare combination of size with a high skating skill gives Byfield the advantage to me.

Q&A with Kings TV Analyst Jim Fox: Part 1 - LA Kings Insider

In the last sentence, he gives the advantage to Byfield. He has no say in the pick, but the reason why I find his opinion here interesting is that he's connected and the kind of guy who goes along with the organization. It's hard for me to imagine him publicly preferring Byfield if management is actually leaning towards Stutzle. If that rumor were true, I'd expect him to favor Stutzle, as well, or at least shy away from choosing by offering a cop-out of "either would be great." This certainly doesn't debunk the rumor and could mean nothing, but it's interesting, at least to me.

 

[cyclones22]

Jim Fox was super high on Alex Turcotte before last season's draft. As soon as Turcotte was selected, live on air at the draft party, Fox reiterated that Turcotte was was who the kings were hoping would fall to number five.

That being said, the FO has stated they value players with the ability to put pressure on the defense, and that's a Stutzle primary asset.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Really like the potential ceiling of Byfield. If he reaches his ceiling, I think he’s a more valuable piece to a team’s success than any player in this coming draft. The concern is will he reach this ceiling? He could bust too, or simply plateau at a third line, big body, energy (checking) kind of guy. He’s a big guy now, who is dominating playing against much smaller boys. How will his game translate to playing against men, who equal to him in physicality?
Could be a huge win to the team that takes him, but also has risk.

I agree, but the boys he’s currently playing against aren’t able to challenge him physically. How will Byfield s game translate when playing against men, who challenge him physically? If he’s able to translate his skill, while competing physically against men, then he’s (imo) the most impactful player in the draft. If not, he’s going to be considered a bust, even though he likely still has a bottom six role on a team.

Honestly I'm kind of excited to see how much more engaged he is when he can get clobbered by big people who want to check him every shift vs juniors who...often kind of don't.

It might be crazy of me to say but I think he'll do better in an environment where he's forced to do so, and even while being surrounded by better bigger opponents, he'll have much better team support. as well. The guy is a playmaker on a team whose best other scorers are overagers and...how many have an NHL future?

 

[cyclones22]

The fact that Byfield has been training with Gary Roberts tells me he's serious about using that strength advantage. Unless he just wants to get ripped for Socal beach life and challenge Rod Brind'Amour to a body building contest. Yeah I just saw that segment. Dude is a beast.

 

[Osprey]

Jim Fox was super high on Alex Turcotte before last season's draft. As soon as Turcotte was selected, live on air at the draft party, Fox reiterated that Turcotte was was who the kings were hoping would fall to number five.

That confirms that he's in the loop (which we pretty much know, but others might doubt). Thanks.

That being said, the FO has stated they value players with the ability to put pressure on the defense, and that's a Stutzle primary asset.

Yeah, I have no doubt that they're very high on Stutzle and may even pick him. I just imagine that it's close and Byfield has almost as much support as Stutzle or else Fox likely would've never said that.

 

[cyclones22]

That confirms that he's in the loop (which we pretty much know, but others might doubt). Thanks.

Yeah, I have no doubt that they're very high on Stutzle and may even pick him. I just imagine that there's no consensus yet and that Byfield has almost as much support as Stutzle or else Fox likely would've never said that.

I'm a Byfield guy all the way, so I hope it is Byfield. I wouldn't cry myself to sleep if they selected Stutzle, but I'd be disappointed for at least 5 minutes. For a little more context, the commentary about putting a pressure on a defense was mostly stated prior to selecting Turcotte and trading for Tyler Madden.

 

[TGWL]

This is probably my favorite review on Byfield.

 

[SFKingshomer]

I really prefer Stutzle's game right now but Byfield's potential is too good to pass up. It could be a match up nightmare for teams throwing Kopitar/Byfield/Vilardi out there.

 

[TGWL]

The fact that Byfield has been training with Gary Roberts tells me he's serious about using that strength advantage. Unless he just wants to get ripped for Socal beach life and challenge Rod Brind'Amour to a body building contest. Yeah I just saw that segment. Dude is a beast.

Getting ripped has nothing to do with it. He's already a strong player. I think they want more grit from that size. I think he'll adapt. Boyle was a very soft player early on and replied on just size, I think he found a little more jam in his game as seasons went on. I think Byfield will do the same.

 

[Rorschach]

Like most debates we've seemed to hit the point where both "sides" are trying so hard to prove their point that there's no middle ground. So the more extreme the takes get on each side the more pushback there is.

I have byfield at 2 (for the time being at least) but I do think too many people are refusing to acknowledge anything that suggests him lower than 2.

It's generally accepted this is a great year for forwards. If it was a lousy draft byfield probably is a top 2 lock.

But you have:

Rossi: unreal numbers. Most guys that produce like he did are successful regardless of age. He led his team too. Ottawa was good but it wasn't a kane gagner situation. Good dy-1 stats as well which is important for an older guy.

Perfetti: also great numbers carrying his team. Like rossi, hes had 2 years of ohl production that put him in the company of almost exclusively top line players.

Raymond: historic numbers in swedish u20, has played professionally, decent WJC, spoken very highly of by fans and scouts alike.

Stutzle: bit of a wildcard, but played in a men's league, showed off his speed, hands, and vision there and at the WJC.

Throw in the fact byfield had much fewer points/game against top defensive teams than rossi/perfetti, had a lackluster WJC, and the lower certainty you get if you're throwing out his d-1 season because of his age, it should be easy to see why some people want to have a discussion on where he should go

Again I'm taking him at 2 if I'm the one picking, but it's not hard to see why other guys might be attractive

This is exactly my take when discussing #2OA. It should not be a 100% or even a 80% clear argument for Byfield. Or any of the other possibilities. In polls, the HFB Kings fans wanted QB 5 to 1 against Stutzle and I think the actual argument/positions should be more like 1 to 1. There are just too many other good players with great performances, all muddying the picture.

I know a lot of guys have this weird Byfield = Kopitar 2.o and Kings fans love some Kopitar, but to me, Stutzle has quite a few similarities to Kopitar as well (for example the superman player of his national teams, where all the pressure is on his shoulders...Germany for Stutzle, Slovenia for Kopitar)...which IMO translates real well come tournament time, WJC today, Cup playoffs tomorrow.

 

[Rorschach]

Mackinnon didn't really dominate any tournament and the one that he was good at, his teammate was better, thoughts on this?

And MacKinnon took several seasons to turn into the player he is now in the NHL. So his lack of tournament success was a clear indicator that he was behind the curve, evidently. His first season was 13-14, 63p in 82 games (and he had four more similar scoring-rate seasons). His breakout season was 17-18, five years later, 97p in 74 games. A lot of things can go wrong in five years...he might have been dealt by Colorado instead of Duchene. He might have been injured critically. (On a side note, I remember in that breakout year, Kopitar was having his Hart Trophy nomination season...and Kopitar absolutely dominated MacKinnon head to head).

So if one were making this argument a few season ago, it would swing toward the fact that a poor junior tournament showing in the D year IS an indicator that the player may not be as good as hoped, potentially, when MacKinnon looked like a second-line forward when drafted 1OA while guys like Barkov and Seth Jones were already considered top players already from that same draft.

 

[Rorschach]

So Lapierre should be ahead of Byfield ?

If Lapierre was ranked similarly to Byfield before the tournament, sure. Having good showings gives a bump up from your current position. Sam Gagner once scored 8 points in one NHL game...he didn't suddenly become better that Gretzky. Having a bad game doesn't totally invalidate someone; having a good game doesn't totally validate you either. Having a lot of bad important games does push you down a bit; having a ton of good important games does pump you up a bit.

Mario Lemieux scored at around a 2.5 ppg clip in the NHL during his peak. Another player scoring 4 points in 1 game isn't suddenly better than Lemieux, even if it's the Cup clinching game. But if they score 4 points avg per game for 100 NHL games, ok maybe you are better than Mario.

Byfield has not had major performances for any major tournament at a level of a 1OA prospect. He didn't even play a full junior season his D year. That means he can't get the credit for those performances and the player prospects who are his peers who did perform well should get credit and in the D year, can rise above him. But, to be really real, it doesn't invalidate Byfield as a top prospect (6OA is not a total invalidation...he's not Nick Ebert). It's just giving credit to his peers who did finish the whole season scoring the same/similar clip he did and had top tournament performances, that's all.

But for Byfield, his year is not his D year, due to his young age. If he was one year older, such a performance as his D year might invalidate him as a top, top prospect. His year should be/will be his D+1 year. I would bet money he becomes the best player not in the NHL at the end of the next year. He will have his coming out party, score 120 points in junior, dominate as the first line center for WJC Canada and do all sorts of other sick stuff and we will all complain how awful the 2021 draft is since Byfield isn't in it.
I wouldn't bet the 2OA pick though when a player like Stutzle has checked all the boxes that we hope/think Byfield will check next year and appears to be ready now to take the next step. His performance is on par with Byfield's potential and therefore is less risk.

 

[Korpse]

I agree, but the boys he’s currently playing against aren’t able to challenge him physically. How will Byfield s game translate when playing against men, who challenge him physically? If he’s able to translate his skill, while competing physically against men, then he’s (imo) the most impactful player in the draft. If not, he’s going to be considered a bust, even though he likely still has a bottom six role on a team.

He did pretty good as a 16 year old playing against players up to 4 years older than him.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

And MacKinnon took several seasons to turn into the player he is now in the NHL. So his lack of tournament success was a clear indicator that he was behind the curve, evidently. His first season was 13-14, 63p in 82 games (and he had four more similar scoring-rate seasons). His breakout season was 17-18, five years later, 97p in 74 games. A lot of things can go wrong in five years...he might have been dealt by Colorado instead of Duchene. He might have been injured critically. (On a side note, I remember in that breakout year, Kopitar was having his Hart Trophy nomination season...and Kopitar absolutely dominated MacKinnon head to head).

So if one were making this argument a few season ago, it would swing toward the fact that a poor junior tournament showing in the D year IS an indicator that the player may not be as good as hoped, potentially, when MacKinnon looked like a second-line forward when drafted 1OA while guys like Barkov and Seth Jones were already considered top players already from that same draft.

Nonsense. How was Barkov already considered a top player and MacKinnon wasn’t?

 

[Rorschach]

Nonsense. How was Barkov already considered a top player and MacKinnon wasn’t?

For example, the year before MacKinnon broke into the top tier of players/centers (circa 2017), HF Boards was stating that Barkov was the heir apparent to Kopitar and maybe was even better than Kopitar ever was as a two-way center.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

For example, the year before MacKinnon broke into the top tier of players/centers (circa 2017), HF Boards was stating that Barkov was the heir apparent to Kopitar and maybe was even better than Kopitar ever was as a two-way center.

But he wasn’t considered a better player than MacKinnon. Everything came together for Barkov in his 5th NHL season, the same amount of seasons it took for MacKinnon to break out.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I was 100% team Lafreniére, so psyched about him, but his this, 19-20 season was nothing i accepted,
his development just stagnated, halted, stopped.
- just like Jack Hughes did/has

Actually, his development curve started to go downwards already in the 18-19 season
- he did improve in points each year, slightly, but...how his rookie season went...
he has not developed the way i thought i would.

Byfield in the other hand, has taken huge leaps in his development during his junior career so far,
he has developed so much each year, he almost doubled his ppg from his rookie season.
But points are not everything, as we all now, the most important thing was how he played this season,
instead of the goals and points he scored.

Going back to this season.

Before the WJC, Alexis season thus far had been inferior what Byfield's and the talk started,
how Quinton's gonna challenge Alexis for #1, even the experts started go to that direction,
then the WJC happened, where Byfield had a surprisingly small role and Lafreniére
scored 10 points in 5 games + 43 points in his last 19 games in the Q.

People here keeps bringing up Quinton's poor WJC performance, but i wouldn't put much weight on that
i think scouts, experts, fans put way too much weight on WJC performance anyways,
the performance in the WJC is a sum of many factors.

---

Lafreniére played for a better team and i think in a lesser of a league,
besides..Byfield is ranked #2, while playing for Sudbury Wolves for crying out loud!!!.
- even if they are better team what 2 seasons ago...18-19 they finished 8th in the OHL
in points and 10th this season, where as the Oceanic, are always either
in the top 3 or top 4 in the QMJHL standings

We are talking about Rimouski Oceanic vs Sudbury Wolves here you know
and QMJHL vs OHL.