LA KINGS 2023/4 Regular season discussion

[Herby]

I think the main issue with Byfield's zone entries is that he keeps getting isolated at the blueline because that lines spacing is all over the place. Kempe is usually at the far side of the rink and Kopitar is so far behind him in those situations that he gets converged upon as soon as he hits the blueline. Very little support on display in those instances.

The talent gets them points, but when was the last time you saw the attack triangle Fox raves about on that line? Its exceedingly rare. Switching up Dubois and Byfield would do wonders for the first line. Dubois would create a lot more room and traffic. Kopitar has never met a cycle he didn't love, and he would have more opportunities for sustained pressure, and Kempe can work off the puck from both of them.

Fiala is going to do his thing with anybody, and in just a small sample size it looks like Laferriere would benefit from a center who can keep up with his pace.

I personally just think he's looked more comfortable at wing. Playing C makes you think more than on the wing, and I am not sure QB thinks the game well enough to be a C. You see the good ones just have that sense of when they have space to hang onto the puck a tad longer and it creates a better offensive chance. It just seems like QB doesn't have that kind of game sense or processing. I think the simpler game on the wing better suits him.

Teams don't just move #2OA picks basically permanently (at least for the next 3 years) to wing unless they have serious questions about whether the player can effectively play C at the NHL level. I don't know if the Kings are right or not, but that is pretty clearly how they feel.

 

[BigBrown]

I say if Byfield is finally starting to look good that you don't change a thing. Maybe revisit him at center down the road when he's comfortable and confident.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think he's looking much more patient these days. But because of that I think you're right--maybe leave him at wing for at least this year to grow. Consider the C move later. I also definitely agree C is a more thoughtful position but it's starting to appear the game is slowing down a bit for Q. Far less panic in his game.

The next step I'd like to see him take is to TAKE ice from dudes. His button hook zone entry is still a thing, as much as I used to admonish Kopitar for just slowly going wide QB needs to keep people guessing AND use his physical tools to challenge defenders. HE's still a kid so the man strength will come, he's an easy-ish pin right now so maybe that's why, but he's going to learn to use his body and momentum to leverage past guys at some point. He's really, really bad at escaping checks right now, though improving. But these are minor tricks, the big picture is starting to look a lot better.

 

[BringTheReign]

There's a few things that make me think Byfield could still blossom as a center down the line:
- Natural distributor and playmaker more than a shooter
- Straight line speed through the neutral zone that can beat and back off defenders
- Size and the learning curve to go from it being a liability in terms of being caught/pinned to using it to assert and create space

I think his continued play on the wing and often as the F1 on the forecheck will help him learn how to win pucks back in the defensive zone. Once he can reliably do that, he can be trusted to play low in his own zone as a center. At that point, he'll hopefully use his speed to either transport the puck out on his own or give-and-go with our wingers on the boards in order to take advantage of the extra ice ahead of him to build speed on the rush. I think the best example we've seen of this is when he centered Vilardi briefly last season, or when he and Turcotte shared center duties on defense during preseason.

 

[bland]

I personally just think he's looked more comfortable at wing. Playing C makes you think more than on the wing, and I am not sure QB thinks the game well enough to be a C. You see the good ones just have that sense of when they have space to hang onto the puck a tad longer and it creates a better offensive chance. It just seems like QB doesn't have that kind of game sense or processing. I think the simpler game on the wing better suits him.

Teams don't just move #2OA picks basically permanently (at least for the next 3 years) to wing unless they have serious questions about whether the player can effectively play C at the NHL level. I don't know if the Kings are right or not, but that is pretty clearly how they feel.

He is still on Bambi legs. I don't see any difference in comfort level at all, I see a very young man with a massive frame who is just now adding some man strength to those lanky limbs.

He is doing the exact same things he did last year, just with a higher success rate. He has been playing in a relatively sheltered spot even though its "first line" duty. The next step in his development is to take ownership of his role on the team and that is as a center, beyond any reasonable doubt.

 

[Schmooley]

He is still on Bambi legs. I don't see any difference in comfort level at all, I see a very young man with a massive frame who is just now adding some man strength to those lanky limbs.

He is doing the exact same things he did last year, just with a higher success rate. He has been playing in a relatively sheltered spot even though its "first line" duty. The next step in his development is to take ownership of his role on the team and that is as a center, beyond any reasonable doubt.

Hes doing the exact same thing as last year but his puck handling is much better. He could barely receive a pass last year. Claims were made that he was playing with two sprained wrists.

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

Hes doing the exact same thing as last year but his puck handling is much better. He could barely receive a pass last year. Claims were made that he was playing with two broken wrists.

He said he was playing with two sprained wrists, not broken wrists.

 

[YP44]

I say if Byfield is finally starting to look good that you don't change a thing. Maybe revisit him at center down the road when he's comfortable and confident.

Agreed - it's a really intriguing line mix up. I'd probably give it until around the 12 game mark though (assuming the team continues to play fairly well).

Laferriere - Kopitar - Kempe
Byfield - PLD - Fiala

I have a weird feeling Byfield and Fiala would actually play really well together. And Laferriere is a guy who just feels like an amazing 'Kopitar winger' - but arguably more skilled than many of the past winger's Kopi's had.

With Laferriere and Byfield you essentially have two guys in the same situation: They're both young players who are seemingly playing really well but lacking a bit when it comes to production. Swapping the two of them to see if they 'click' with new linemates seems like a no brainer if production continues to lack.

I would be scared of the PLD line defensively.

The way Moore has been playing would rather swap them. Danault and QB could be very fun together, although with Kaliyev also on that line it is putting a lot of defensive responisbility on Danault.

 

[bland]

Hes doing the exact same thing as last year but his puck handling is much better. He could barely receive a pass last year. Claims were made that he was playing with two sprained wrists.

The skill hasn't changed, just the natural progression of strength as he grows into that huge frame. The decision making looks practically identical.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Claims were made that he was playing with two sprained wrists.

Well, the claims came from the player himself, FYI.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

I would be scared of the PLD line defensively.

The way Moore has been playing would rather swap them. Danault and QB could be very fun together, although with Kaliyev also on that line it is putting a lot of defensive responisbility on Danault.

Hmmm you could be right. But Byfield has been pretty damn solid defensively from what I've seen. I don't think he's much of a defensive liability on a line.

I'd also hesitate to split up Moore and Danault given the clear chemistry they have. It's an interesting option though.

At the end of the day hopefully the current lines click

 

[Fishhead]

Byfield also needs to remember the shortest distance is a straight line. He still takes roundabout paths a lot of the time, almost like he's trying to sneak and find a quiet spot. Newsflash dude, you are a behemoth. Just go straight where you want to go and push people around.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Nice breakdown of QB so for this season

 

[Schmooley]

Byfield also needs to remember the shortest distance is a straight line. He still takes roundabout paths a lot of the time, almost like he's trying to sneak and find a quiet spot. Newsflash dude, you are a behemoth. Just go straight where you want to go and push people around.

If he can figure out commanding ice (and also his shooting) he will hit his ceiling. He has the size and speed to take what he wants and dictate the pace of a game. He can be a useful top six passenger or a complete gamechanger. Its up to him and we get to see the steps he takes these next couple years.

 

[Telos]

Byfield just needs to continue filling out and strengthening his frame and then adding a splash of assertiveness, decisiveness, and confident finish to his game and he absolutely can be an elite player in the NHL. His success is him improving those things already, but he needs to master them and attack his weaknesses as his strengths are solid and obvious.

If he adds strength to his speed, attacks the net directly using his hands, and fires the puck quickly and confidently he is going to open up the floodgates. He has all the tools to dominate, but he hops and skips to the side and floats passes to Kempe hoping the 40-goal scorer will do it. What he doesn't realize is that he can be the 40-goal scorer if he takes it. He has the tools to be better and more dominant than Kempe ever was. He needs to realize it or else he risks getting passed over.

There needs to be no hesitation. He needs to use his skills to attack directly and float less.

 

[bmr]

Byfield just needs to continue filling out and strengthening his frame and then adding a splash of assertiveness, decisiveness, and confident finish to his game and he absolutely can be an elite player in the NHL. His success is him improving those things already, but he needs to master them and attack his weaknesses as his strengths are solid and obvious.

If he adds strength to his speed, attacks the net directly using his hands, and fires the puck quickly and confidently he is going to open up the floodgates. He has all the tools to dominate, but he hops and skips to the side and floats passes to Kempe hoping the 40-goal scorer will do it. What he doesn't realize is that he can be the 40-goal scorer if he takes it. He has the tools to be better and more dominant than Kempe ever was. He needs to realize it or else he risks getting passed over.

There needs to be no hesitation. He needs to use his skills to attack directly and float less.

Crazy thing about our expectations of Byfield: he is barely 21 years old! Clearly a lot of upside here in the next few years. Sky is the limit....

 

[AbsentMojo]

Byfield just needs to continue filling out and strengthening his frame and then adding a splash of assertiveness, decisiveness, and confident finish to his game and he absolutely can be an elite player in the NHL. His success is him improving those things already, but he needs to master them and attack his weaknesses as his strengths are solid and obvious.

If he adds strength to his speed, attacks the net directly using his hands, and fires the puck quickly and confidently he is going to open up the floodgates. He has all the tools to dominate, but he hops and skips to the side and floats passes to Kempe hoping the 40-goal scorer will do it. What he doesn't realize is that he can be the 40-goal scorer if he takes it. He has the tools to be better and more dominant than Kempe ever was. He needs to realize it or else he risks getting passed over.

There needs to be no hesitation. He needs to use his skills to attack directly and float less.

I think part of it is he's a natural center looking to make plays vs score. Factor in that he is playing w a HOF and team top goal scorer and you can see why psychologically its a hurdle.. So this is where he should be coached to be more selfish - he may be, just not showing up yet. As a winger you need a shot first mentality.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

He is attacking more, he tried a few 1-1 moves when it was 1-2 etc, he will figure out what works for him and what doesn't, kid will be fine

 

[johnjm22]

Implying that QB is better as a wing is jumping to conclusions. This isn't a Vilardi situation. Byfield absolutely has the attributes to be a center.

He's getting up to speed in the NHL while playing wing against very tough competition.

He has a world of upside in front of him. He's clearly physically underdeveloped.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

New plan

Only start Talbot on the road

and only start Copley at home

#itsnotweirdifitworks

 

[Cianide]

I think he's looking much more patient these days. But because of that I think you're right--maybe leave him at wing for at least this year to grow. Consider the C move later. I also definitely agree C is a more thoughtful position but it's starting to appear the game is slowing down a bit for Q. Far less panic in his game.

The next step I'd like to see him take is to TAKE ice from dudes. His button hook zone entry is still a thing, as much as I used to admonish Kopitar for just slowly going wide QB needs to keep people guessing AND use his physical tools to challenge defenders. HE's still a kid so the man strength will come, he's an easy-ish pin right now so maybe that's why, but he's going to learn to use his body and momentum to leverage past guys at some point. He's really, really bad at escaping checks right now, though improving. But these are minor tricks, the big picture is starting to look a lot better.

It's easy for tall skinny guys to get knocked off the puck. You also want to mitigate damage from big hits; I think QB is learning how to do that.

 

[Lt Dan]

..

It's easy for tall skinny guys to get knocked off the puck. You also want to mitigate damage from big hits; I think QB is learning how to do that.

As a tall and once skinny person, I can confirm this

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

..


As a tall and once skinny person, I can confirm this

Lt Dan and his linemates

 

[No Name The Nameless]

This is the PLD we knew that we were getting. A guy who appears to float but goes to the dirty spots. He’s historically streaky and hasn’t started streaking yet. I’ve not problems with that stuff.

The issue that I have is face offs. That’s one thing that I took for granted

 

[johnjm22]

Kings are on pace for 109 points while having played the 3rd most difficult schedule in the league.