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

[McNurse]

Why so much hate towards Quinton Byfield?
Can not understand this BS what i have read for several weeks now...unreal.

Dude is 6 foot 4 - 6 foot 5 / 220 pound monster, who is also really good,strong and fast skater.
- not to mention other obvious attributes

Are people blind here?????.

I’m surprised you didn’t mention his stats

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Byfield was also 10 months younger than Draistl in his draft year, and is currently 11 months younger than Rossi. A closer comparison to Rossi's offense would be Rossi's 18-19 totals. As far as drai scoring more in wjc, it's a lot easier for an 18 year old to get a top line role on Germany than for a 17 year old to get the same on Canada.

I know that and my words take this into account. Even a year or even two years before his draft year, Draisaitl was better than Byfield in international tournaments when Draisaitl was younger. I don't think it's easier to perform in a dominated team than in a dominant team mostley U17 and U18 tournament. Either way, Perfetti was better at HG, Drysdale was better at U20.

Regarding Rossi, I said he was better NOW. The fact that Byfield is younger does'nt necessarily indicate that he has more room of improvement. For exemple, physically is already at his maximum potential unlike Rossi and Perfetti.

Byfield is 3rd on my board but I'm far from sure that he'll be the 3rd best player. Currently he's not as good as Lafrenière, Rossi, Lundell, Stutzle, Holtz, Raymond, Drysdale (+ Askarov). Probably the same level as Perfetti. If he was so strong there wouldn't be as many better players as he was. Shane Wright is already better than all 2021 OHL prospects. Last year, Lafreniere was already CHL's MVP.

Anyway, the main idea was that Draisaitl was probably undervalued. He was probably better than Reinhart in June 2014. As for Ekblad, he was probably less strong but he overtook a younger player. Proof that the date of birth doesn't determine player's improve.

 

[HSF]

I hope Ottawa can get this guy

We desperately need an elite center and with his toolbox holyyyy

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I don't think so. Draisaitl had been excellent in all major competitions. Byfield was disappointing in all major competitions. Draisaitl has been underestimed. Currently Byfield is'nt better than Rossi, Drysdale and Perfetti. Average points in OHL and WHL can't be compared. Kaliyev (51 G 51 A in 67 games) = 33th and Dach (25 G, 48 A in 62 games) = 3th

That's because just simply looking at stats, is stupid. Has nothing to do with the respective leagues they play in.

 

[Dominance]

I know that and my words take this into account. Even a year or even two years before his draft year, Draisaitl was better than Byfield in international tournaments when Draisaitl was younger. I don't think it's easier to perform in a dominated team than in a dominant team mostley U17 and U18 tournament. Either way, Perfetti was better at HG, Drysdale was better at U20.

Regarding Rossi, I said he was better NOW. The fact that Byfield is younger does'nt necessarily indicate that he has more room of improvement. For exemple, physically is already at his maximum potential unlike Rossi and Perfetti.

Byfield is 3rd on my board but I'm far from sure that he'll be the 3rd best player. Currently he's not as good as Lafrenière, Rossi, Lundell, Stutzle, Holtz, Raymond, Drysdale (+ Askarov). Probably the same level as Perfetti. If he was so strong there wouldn't be as many better players as he was. Shane Wright is already better than all 2021 OHL prospects. Last year, Lafreniere was already CHL's MVP.

Anyway, the main idea was that Draisaitl was probably undervalued. He was probably better than Reinhart in June 2014. As for Ekblad, he was probably less strong but he overtook a younger player. Proof that the date of birth doesn't determine player's improve.

Do everyone a favour and stop embarrassing yourself.

Just as a measuring stick of your lack of prospect knowledge - you want to stick with your statement that Draisaitl was and projected better than Reinhart in the WHL that year?

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

I know that and my words take this into account. Even a year or even two years before his draft year, Draisaitl was better than Byfield in international tournaments when Draisaitl was younger. I don't think it's easier to perform in a dominated team than in a dominant team mostley U17 and U18 tournament. Either way, Perfetti was better at HG, Drysdale was better at U20.

Regarding Rossi, I said he was better NOW. The fact that Byfield is younger does'nt necessarily indicate that he has more room of improvement. For exemple, physically is already at his maximum potential unlike Rossi and Perfetti.

Byfield is 3rd on my board but I'm far from sure that he'll be the 3rd best player. Currently he's not as good as Lafrenière, Rossi, Lundell, Stutzle, Holtz, Raymond, Drysdale (+ Askarov). Probably the same level as Perfetti. If he was so strong there wouldn't be as many better players as he was. Shane Wright is already better than all 2021 OHL prospects. Last year, Lafreniere was already CHL's MVP.

Anyway, the main idea was that Draisaitl was probably undervalued. He was probably better than Reinhart in June 2014. As for Ekblad, he was probably less strong but he overtook a younger player. Proof that the date of birth doesn't determine player's improve.

I don't get the narrative that being big = less room for improvement. Small skill players don't necessarily have higher ceilings because they take time to develop and gain some muscle. In many cases, it can be the opposite. Bigger players take time to grow into their frames and learn how to adjust to the NHL game since they can no longer dominate simply with their size. Byfield's combo of smarts, skill, speed, and size, is incredibly rare.

I have Byfield 2nd, and while I don't think he's that far ahead of 3rd, saying he is currently worse than Rossi, Lundell, Stutzle, Holtz, Raymond, Drysdale, and Askarov is just laughable.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Do everyone a favour and stop embarrassing yourself.

Just as a measuring stick of your lack of prospect knowledge - you want to stick with your statement that Draisaitl was and projected better than Reinhart in the WHL that year?

Respect me. Just because you don't like what I write doesn't mean that I have to be disrespectul. From my point of view (in 2014) Draisaitl was better than Reinhart.

 

[bert]

I know that and my words take this into account. Even a year or even two years before his draft year, Draisaitl was better than Byfield in international tournaments when Draisaitl was younger. I don't think it's easier to perform in a dominated team than in a dominant team mostley U17 and U18 tournament. Either way, Perfetti was better at HG, Drysdale was better at U20.

Regarding Rossi, I said he was better NOW. The fact that Byfield is younger does'nt necessarily indicate that he has more room of improvement. For exemple, physically is already at his maximum potential unlike Rossi and Perfetti.

Byfield is 3rd on my board but I'm far from sure that he'll be the 3rd best player. Currently he's not as good as Lafrenière, Rossi, Lundell, Stutzle, Holtz, Raymond, Drysdale (+ Askarov). Probably the same level as Perfetti. If he was so strong there wouldn't be as many better players as he was. Shane Wright is already better than all 2021 OHL prospects. Last year, Lafreniere was already CHL's MVP.

Anyway, the main idea was that Draisaitl was probably undervalued. He was probably better than Reinhart in June 2014. As for Ekblad, he was probably less strong but he overtook a younger player. Proof that the date of birth doesn't determine player's improve.

The bolded portion couldnt be more innacurate. The smaller players are further along in their physical development, Rossi is way way ahead of both Perfetti and Byfield. Byfield is literally still growing, his development curve is going to be the longest of the three players.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I know that and my words take this into account. Even a year or even two years before his draft year, Draisaitl was better than Byfield in international tournaments when Draisaitl was younger. I don't think it's easier to perform in a dominated team than in a dominant team mostley U17 and U18 tournament. Either way, Perfetti was better at HG, Drysdale was better at U20.

Regarding Rossi, I said he was better NOW. The fact that Byfield is younger does'nt necessarily indicate that he has more room of improvement. For exemple, physically is already at his maximum potential unlike Rossi and Perfetti.

Byfield is 3rd on my board but I'm far from sure that he'll be the 3rd best player. Currently he's not as good as Lafrenière, Rossi, Lundell, Stutzle, Holtz, Raymond, Drysdale (+ Askarov). Probably the same level as Perfetti. If he was so strong there wouldn't be as many better players as he was. Shane Wright is already better than all 2021 OHL prospects. Last year, Lafreniere was already CHL's MVP.

Anyway, the main idea was that Draisaitl was probably undervalued. He was probably better than Reinhart in June 2014. As for Ekblad, he was probably less strong but he overtook a younger player. Proof that the date of birth doesn't determine player's improve.

Byfield, the 17 year old, has already peaked physically. Am I reading that right?

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

I don't get the narrative that being big = less room for improvement. Small skill players don't necessarily have higher ceilings because they take time to develop and gain some muscle. In many cases, it can be the opposite. Bigger players take time to grow into their frames and learn how to adjust to the NHL game since they can no longer dominate simply with their size. Byfield's combo of smarts, skill, speed, and size, is incredibly rare.

I have Byfield 2nd, and while I don't think he's that far ahead of 3rd, saying he is currently worse than Rossi, Lundell, Stutzle, Holtz, Raymond, Drysdale, and Askarov is just laughable.

I was talking about physical potential. Does a player who has not finished his physical evolution have a bigger margin of progression (in physical play) than a player who is already physically mature ? Of course, yes. Physical maturity doesn't match biological age.

You argue why I rank Byfield 3rd on my board. But if i take into account the sports performances achieved. he's 9th. This is my current view. You have no certainty that this is not the case. If you find Byfield better than Rossi this year it's quite simply that we don't have the same evaluation. I remain on the idea that Rossi eats Byfield on the ice this year and that Byfield was very ordinary during 3 international tournaments. I have some idea of Stutzle, Holtz, Askarov or Lundell. Previous draft shows that European talent is undervalued. Their performances are rarer than that of Byfield and I found them better in international tournaments.

 

[ponder]

Byfield is such a hard to gauge prospect. Huge, athletic, great skater, brimming with potential, lots of skill. On the other hand, there’s something pretty raw about his skill set/game. He reminds me a bit of Puljujarvi at the same age - can do impressive things with the puck, but his game can break down when defenders don’t give him time/space. He’s good at protecting the puck but isn’t a “stick handle in a phone booth” type. Not great at finding soft spots without the puck either, and his vision with the puck is good, but I’m not sure it’s elite.

I think I’d still take him 2nd overall, his upside is so high. But he’s riskier than your average 2nd overall pick, he certainly doesn’t have that polished NHL ready game that a lot of top 2 picks have. Whoever drafts him will have to be patient.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Byfield, the 17 year old, has already peaked physically. Am I reading that right?

Yes. His physical size'll not change too much. He hasn't grown so much in 2 years, by the way.

 

[Dominance]

Yes. His physical size'll not change too much. He hasn't grown so much in 2 years, by the way.

WHAT? He’s visibly filled out immensely. Are you watching these players whatsoever?

 

[Cheddabombs]

Yes. His physical size'll not change too much. He hasn't grown so much in 2 years, by the way.

His size may not change that much, but his actual fitness and physique certainly can/will. If you think a 17 year old has peaked physically then you're just flat out wrong.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

His size may not change that much, but his actual fitness and physique certainly can/will. If you think a 17 year old has peaked physically then you're just flat out wrong.

There are young people aged 15 to 18 who are already very close to their adult physique and their max strength. Others are far from it. Among all elite prospects, Byfield seems to be the closest while he's the youngest. This is what makes me think that Byfield doesn't suffer from being a few months younger than the others. We are very far from a Jack Hughes who has always been physically behind.

 

[Favin]

Speaking for myself, I have viewed Byfield as #3-6 in this years draft.

It doesn't mean I 'hate' him.

I don't hate him at all.

But here is why I am not locking him into my top-2 for draft.

1. Its a crowded competition at the top. The top-10 or so of the 2020 draft class appears quite strong (while the top-50 or top-100 appears inferior to last couple of drafts). Guys like Lafreniere, Stützle, Rossi and Perfetti all appear ready to make jump straight to NHL.

2. He is big, but doesn't always play a physically dominant style. He most often plays a more skilled game like many of his draft competitors.

3. Lighting up Major Junior guarantees nothing in NHL. While he certainly has all the tools to be successful, one can't project his production on NHL more easily because he is 6'5", 215.

That said, I still think Byfield will be a 1C in NHL. But I do think some of the other names may provide more offense at that level.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

There are young people aged 15 to 18 who are already very close to their adult physique and their max strength.

This is a bizarre thing to say. You can get any (normal, healthy) 17 year old on a pro athlete-level strength training/nutrition program for the next several years and they will become considerably bigger/stronger/faster.

This includes kids who are already very athletic. They might train in between games and school, but it's nothing compared to training perfectly like it's your job (because it is your job) for years on end. This includes Quinton Byfield, too. Because of course it does.

Like, honestly, your picture here is one I'd love to be true. It would be: none of us are that far from peak conditioning, physically, and athletic kids who train for a couple of years are basically ready to go. The floor for high level athletic competition is low, so to speak, and easy to reach. That's not how it works at all. Think of olympians. They improve for years and years, all the while at elite levels of conditioning. The floor is high, and the ceiling is much higher.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Byfield is such a hard to gauge prospect. Huge, athletic, great skater, brimming with potential, lots of skill. On the other hand, there’s something pretty raw about his skill set/game. He reminds me a bit of Puljujarvi at the same age - can do impressive things with the puck, but his game can break down when defenders don’t give him time/space. He’s good at protecting the puck but isn’t a “stick handle in a phone booth” type. Not great at finding soft spots without the puck either, and his vision with the puck is good, but I’m not sure it’s elite.

I think I’d still take him 2nd overall, his upside is so high. But he’s riskier than your average 2nd overall pick, he certainly doesn’t have that polished NHL ready game that a lot of top 2 picks have. Whoever drafts him will have to be patient.

I couldn't put it into words, but thank you, this is perfect, haha.

Always makes me think of Wheeler. Better, imo, but still the idea of a huge athletic specimen that has all the tools and will take quite some time to REALLY be what he can be.

 

[S E P H]

Byfield is clearly the better prospect than Draisaitl was.

Yeah okay sorry, but absolutely no to this. If we were to compare both at the same age, Byfield is the better athletic player in regards to explosiveness and skating. You can also say that Byfield is better 1v1 player and probably a better goalscorer. However, Draisaitl blows away Byfield in regards to creating plays and average hockey IQ. Leon had the ability to create more plays out of nothing, especially for teammates, and I argue used his body much better in juniors. It was almost Jagr-esque in the corners where he has such a big frame that you can't do anything because he shielded so good. Byfield has some of this ability due to being quite a large man-child himself, but Draisaitl's superior IQ allowed him to use it much more properly than Quinton has had.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Yeah okay sorry, but absolutely no to this. If we were to compare both at the same age, Byfield is the better athletic player in regards to explosiveness and skating. You can also say that Byfield is better 1v1 player and probably a better goalscorer. However, Draisaitl blows away Byfield in regards to creating plays and average hockey IQ. Leon had the ability to create more plays out of nothing, especially for teammates, and I argue used his body much better in juniors. It was almost Jagr-esque in the corners where he has such a big frame that you can't do anything because he shielded so good. Byfield has some of this ability due to being quite a large man-child himself, but Draisaitl's superior IQ allowed him to use it much more properly than Quinton has had.

When I say Byfield is the better prospect that Draisaitl was, that takes everything into account, including age. In their draft years, Draisaitl was 10 months older than Byfield. His skating was, at the time, a weakness, and his shot was average. When it comes to Byfield, I legitimately can't think of a single weakness of his.

Draisaitl was the smarter player and better passer though, and I'd be shocked to see Byfield put up a season like Drai is currently doing. But taking everything into account, I think Byfield is the better prospect.

 

[Great Panda 2]

Drai became the better player and Byfield will likely never reach that peak but draft year to draft year, Byfield is far ahead.

From my admittedly limited live viewing of Data pre-draft, I remember thinking that he used his size and strength a lot and openly wondered if he could translate it when the other players were as big and as strong. I had serious concerns with his skating and his skating IQ. His playmaking and playmaking IQ were high but I remember his shot being disappointing.

Byfield is nothing like that. Byfield seems to have not learned how to use his body in anything close the same way Drai did. Even D-1, Drai played a stronger game than draft year Byfield. Byfield has far more speed and plays a faster game than Drai ever did. Byfield has some concerns with structure play (as most non-elite brain 17 year olds do) but I've seen no concerns with his hockey IQ. He's a big player who seems to play like a skill player at times, I question a lot of his development coaching at times. Drai was far stronger on the stick and at controlling the puck, Byfield is very raw in these areas still.

Draft year to draft year, Byfield was a far better offensive player.

 

[Al Lagoon]

As a Wild fan, I couldn't dream up a better draft pick.

Unfortunately that ship appears to have sailed, yet again, as the Wild are solidly in the middle of the pack.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

WHAT? He’s visibly filled out immensely. Are you watching these players whatsoever?

Probably more than you.

 

[Dominance]

Probably more than you.

All evidence to the contrary, Mr. “Byfield hasn’t actually physically grown at all in two years”

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

At 15 he already head had more than one head than all his teammates.

Byfield 2017/18 : 6,375 and 207 ib
Byfield 2019/20 : 6,4 and 214 ib

1cm and 3kg. Perfetti has grown to 4cm and 7kg. Some players have grown more than 6cm.