Speculation: LA Kings News, Rumors, Roster Thread part VII

[Schrute farms]

And as far as Byfield, who is calling him a bust?

Sol for one

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It is what it is, they decide to criticize the poster rather than what they are posting. It happens here all the time, I know you get a lot of it too. I thought the statistical information about the Kings heavy reliance of their AHL affiliate compared to other teams was kind of eye opening but I guess it’s just drug induced rants.

And as far as Byfield, who is calling him a bust? Sometimes it seems like any criticism at all gets people to start throwing out the bust word. There are multiple levels between successful pick and bust pick, two years in Byfield is neither a successful pick or a bust pick. Based on where he went and what he has shown it’s fair to call him a disappointment with time to turn it around. But it is also fair to question what that season in the AHL did for his development. Age 18 is a big development year for NHL caliber prospects.

It doesn't need to literally be the words BYFIELD IS A BUST. You're smarter than that. This forum is being extremely pedantic about this and it's f***ing annoying.

There's a large range of people literally calling him a busts and various shades of "better trade him now before it's too late" and "i've seen enough and he doesn't have it" for those to fall in the same category.

You don't need to play these stupid word games, "he's a disappointment" is the same god damn thing, you just add "with time to turn it around" which is a nice necessary disclaimer in this case.

"criticism" is talking about aspects of his play that need improvement and what is going well and not. "Byfield sucks", is a disappointment, doesn't have it, isn't actionable or discussable criticism, it's just a drive by comment similar to 'he's a bust'.

 

[ricardfromage]

Where QB is concerned he is so far playing EXACTLY like he was advertised back in his draft year. He is a great skating big player who has all the raw talent and skill to become a star NHL player in time. He isn't ready to be one today but he showed some solid signs during his first real NHL campaign which is what I believe everyone in the hockey community expected. He wasn't drafted at no2 OA with the expectation that he would step in and be a stud at the NHL level right away. I mean typically I would go back and post every scouting systems pre draft analysis of QB to support what I am saying but in truth we all know that he wasn't projected to step into the NHL right away and be a star player. For F's sake, we have to give our kids a chance at succeeding at the NHL level before we call them a failure. Don't we? I mean I thought that Kupari had a great season this year and believe he is going to be a stud utility 2nd/3rd liner for us for years to come. He has the upside to becoming more but he should at least be a solid NHL'er for us and that is exactly what I (and many others) expected out of him.

Kaliyev had a great rookie campaign and I believe will only get better and better. His skating improved over the season and his timing/positioning did as well. Will he experience the sophomore slump that many kids go through? I don't know but if he does it doesn't mean that he will suddenly become a "bust". It would only mean that he is still developing. I like the kid allot and see a bright future for him.

We should be seeing ATOM (Akil) making his way onto the big club next season for some NHL experience and we should absolutely expect JaredAD to get a longer run with us too. Both solid young players who should easily make the transition to being full time NHL players in time.

I am not simply a homer or an optimist that thinks that all of our kids are 100% going to be NHL studs, I just know talent and determination when I see it and believe that we have several young players who should become NHL regulars over the next couple of seasons. I wasn't the biggest supporter of our drafting QB and was pretty vocal about who I saw as the better fit for us and feel that I have been vindicated by our going out and having to bring in Alfie to fill the same role that my preferred pick would have filled perfectly (Stutzle) but he (QB) has been everything that he was promised to be and I believe that given time and guidance he will become Kopi's replacement and be a good 1st line C.

These kids take time. They are developing nicely so far with the exception of injuries which happen sometimes they are still for the most part on their way to fulfilling their promised potential.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

The only prospect who is busting is Turcotte but only compared to what you’d expect of a 5OA. I’d be very happy if he’s able to have an NHL career now due to his size and type of play. I am literally scared for him.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Where QB is concerned he is so far playing EXACTLY like he was advertised back in his draft year. He is a great skating big player who has all the raw talent and skill to become a star NHL player in time. He isn't ready to be one today but he showed some solid signs during his first real NHL campaign which is what I believe everyone in the hockey community expected. He wasn't drafted at no2 OA with the expectation that he would step in and be a stud at the NHL level right away. I mean typically I would go back and post every scouting systems pre draft analysis of QB to support what I am saying but in truth we all know that he wasn't projected to step into the NHL right away and be a star player. For F's sake, we have to give our kids a chance at succeeding at the NHL level before we call them a failure. Don't we? I mean I thought that Kupari had a great season this year and believe he is going to be a stud utility 2nd/3rd liner for us for years to come. He has the upside to becoming more but he should at least be a solid NHL'er for us and that is exactly what I (and many others) expected out of him.

Kaliyev had a great rookie campaign and I believe will only get better and better. His skating improved over the season and his timing/positioning did as well. Will he experience the sophomore slump that many kids go through? I don't know but if he does it doesn't mean that he will suddenly become a "bust". It would only mean that he is still developing. I like the kid allot and see a bright future for him.

We should be seeing ATOM (Akil) making his way onto the big club next season for some NHL experience and we should absolutely expect JaredAD to get a longer run with us too. Both solid young players who should easily make the transition to being full time NHL players in time.

I am not simply a homer or an optimist that thinks that all of our kids are 100% going to be NHL studs, I just know talent and determination when I see it and believe that we have several young players who should become NHL regulars over the next couple of seasons. I wasn't the biggest supporter of our drafting QB and was pretty vocal about who I saw as the better fit for us and feel that I have been vindicated by our going out and having to bring in Alfie to fill the same role that my preferred pick would have filled perfectly (Stutzle) but he (QB) has been everything that he was promised to be and I believe that given time and guidance he will become Kopi's replacement and be a good 1st line C.

These kids take time. They are developing nicely so far with the exception of injuries which happen sometimes they are still for the most part on their way to fulfilling their promised potential.

Please post more often.

 

[ricardfromage]

Please post more often.

I live in the wilderness for the most part and my internet is absolutely ridiculous. I pay over $250 per month for a tiny 2 gb. I have tried everything and this is my best option. That with travel I can only post from time to time. Besides, my drivel is only bearable in small amounts. It's like Indian food, sure it is delicious but too much of it and you end up screaming on the toilet, or is that just me?

 

[Herby]

It doesn't need to literally be the words BYFIELD IS A BUST. You're smarter than that. This forum is being extremely pedantic about this and it's f***ing annoying.

There's a large range of people literally calling him a busts and various shades of "better trade him now before it's too late" and "i've seen enough and he doesn't have it" for those to fall in the same category.

You don't need to play these stupid word games, "he's a disappointment" is the same god damn thing, you just add "with time to turn it around" which is a nice necessary disclaimer in this case.

"criticism" is talking about aspects of his play that need improvement and what is going well and not. "Byfield sucks", is a disappointment, doesn't have it, isn't actionable or discussable criticism, it's just a drive by comment similar to 'he's a bust'.

So you can’t say he has been disappointing through 2 years without also saying the pick is a bust?

By the same logic can you not say Spence, Faber and Kaliyev have exceeded expectations without calling all the picks home runs?

How is me saying Byfield has been disappointing while still having hope being “a disclaimer”, don’t you do the same exact thing with Turcotte, still using the same adjectives you used 2.5 years ago when you called him Jonathan Toews, but now using the Lizotte+. Is that not a disclaimer as well?

I don’t have a good read on Byfield, could he be Joe Thornton? Yup. Could he be Aki Berg? Yup.

It’s just funny because you criticize when I give “absolute opinions” such as Turcotte being a Lizotte+ rather than Jonathan Toews yet now are also critical for doing the opposite with Byfield by saying the range of outcomes is wide. You just seem to only want people to say positive things. Notice there is no comments on absolute takes or “disclaimers” about Spence, Faber, Kaliyev etc. But anytime it’s negative it’s BS and unfair.

But fine, gun to my head black/white answer you want on this prospect. I think QB will be a PLD type player. He has a good amount of skill but not enough to be an alpha player on a championship team, and coupled with the struggles of the other high picks I seriously question whether a team can win a championship lead by a PLD type of player. Where are the true difference makers going to come from that you see on other teams?

And if the final take proves to be false you will be all over me for the next 15 years about how wrong I Was, and if it’s proven right you will tell me I wasn’t a true fan and wasn’t invested enough in the players and was happy they failed. That is where we are at here, you can’t have a negative opinion, right or wrong. It’s literally not acceptable to a large amount on this board.

 

[tomd]

As a non-invested observer, I think one can have two opinions about the Byfield we've seen so far:
1. He has a lot of immaturity in his game that will eventually get worked out
2. His hockey IQ is just not that good and it will hold him back going forward...to what degree is unknown at this point.

And, of course, it could be a bit of both.

 

[Schmooley]

I think Byfield will be good. If not the Kings are screwed and need to tank again. Putting Fiala or Debrincat on the top line still wont make them a contender.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Any thoughts on Jesse Puljujarvi now that reports are that he might be in play? Found some mention of him from 2-3 year old posts.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Any thoughts on Jesse Puljujarvi now that reports are that he might be in play? Found some mention of him from 2-3 year old posts.

Feels like a fit for the ducks. Gibson is rumored to be moved. And with no Kane or Koskinen, the Oilers should have the cap space for $6.4M. Include Barrie and now the oilers have room to upgrade on D.

 

[Faterson]

I live in the wilderness for the most part and my internet is absolutely ridiculous. I pay over $250 per month for a tiny 2 gb.

And you call that "paradise" in your location info? Sounds more like hell to me – that is, close to the 1980s with no Internet. Your post was superb, though.

 

[Fishhead]

I live in the wilderness for the most part and my internet is absolutely ridiculous. I pay over $250 per month for a tiny 2 gb. I have tried everything and this is my best option. That with travel I can only post from time to time. Besides, my drivel is only bearable in small amounts. It's like Indian food, sure it is delicious but too much of it and you end up screaming on the toilet, or is that just me?

Try Starlink. Works great if you are remote or on the move a lot.

 

[verbalkint47]

I think Byfield will be good. If not the Kings are screwed and need to tank again. Putting Fiala or Debrincat on the top line still wont make them a contender.

Your 2nd sentence is why I hope Blake adds a top forward this offseason . Adding one of DeBrincat , Fiala, Forsberg, or even Garland or Konecny to a 3rd line with Byfield and Iafallo would be a great way to help Byfield grow and progress towards becoming a 1st line center.
It could happen eventually anyway but I'd rather see Blake be proactive than wait and hope for the best.

 

[Schmooley]

Your 2nd sentence is why I hope Blake adds a top forward this offseason . Adding one of DeBrincat , Fiala, Forsberg, or even Garland or Konecny to a 3rd line with Byfield and Iafallo would be a great way to help Byfield grow and progress towards becoming a 1st line center.
It could happen eventually anyway but I'd rather see Blake be proactive than wait and hope for the best.

Yea that would be great for Byfield but any top player they bring in will be played next to Kopitar. Plus it takes any chance away from guys like Vilardi Turcotte and Kaliyev getting top powerplay time and top six minutes. Im all for getting Byfield a goal scorer to play with but this is Kopitars team.
Still wanna see a Kempe-Byfield-Kaliyev line get some games together.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

So you can’t say he has been disappointing through 2 years without also saying the pick is a bust?

By the same logic can you not say Spence, Faber and Kaliyev have exceeded expectations without calling all the picks home runs?

How is me saying Byfield has been disappointing while still having hope being “a disclaimer”, don’t you do the same exact thing with Turcotte, still using the same adjectives you used 2.5 years ago when you called him Jonathan Toews, but now using the Lizotte+. Is that not a disclaimer as well?

I don’t have a good read on Byfield, could he be Joe Thornton? Yup. Could he be Aki Berg? Yup.

It’s just funny because you criticize when I give “absolute opinions” such as Turcotte being a Lizotte+ rather than Jonathan Toews yet now are also critical for doing the opposite with Byfield by saying the range of outcomes is wide. You just seem to only want people to say positive things. Notice there is no comments on absolute takes or “disclaimers” about Spence, Faber, Kaliyev etc. But anytime it’s negative it’s BS and unfair.

But fine, gun to my head black/white answer you want on this prospect. I think QB will be a PLD type player. He has a good amount of skill but not enough to be an alpha player on a championship team, and coupled with the struggles of the other high picks I seriously question whether a team can win a championship lead by a PLD type of player. Where are the true difference makers going to come from that you see on other teams?

And if the final take proves to be false you will be all over me for the next 15 years about how wrong I Was, and if it’s proven right you will tell me I wasn’t a true fan and wasn’t invested enough in the players and was happy they failed. That is where we are at here, you can’t have a negative opinion, right or wrong. It’s literally not acceptable to a large amount on this board.

Sorry, i tried to take care to point out that your post wasn't like that because you're at least acknowledging a range of outcomes for byfield. I realize I wasn't clear about that. I'm sorry.

I was more trying to use your post as a springboard towards those that ARE holding an absolute opinion on Byfield at this point, of which there are quite a few, and the point is whether you actually use the word bust or not, calling him basically trash at this point and as if he's a finished product is the same thing. It's just semantics.

There are no comments on Spence, Faber, kaliyev etc. because no one is calling those guys sure-fire superstars with no downside. There are comments on Byfield because there are people calling him a bust. It's simple, Herby. You're trying really, really hard to make it as if people are just coming down on negative opinions which isn't at all the case. All i'm saying is this place could use some open mindedness if people actually want discussion.

 

[Sol]

Well regardless of what a lot of optimists say. Byfield needs to improve a ton. And if he doesn’t then the rebuild will start anew. The path of this franchise rides on his shoulders with every month that passes. I stopped taking our fanbases over exaggerated projections seriously when there was a decent chunk of posters here who thought Dwight King playing on the first and second line was because he was that good. We all know how that went. Or the Derek Forbort throat brigade.

Vilardi took a tiny step forward last season which isn’t good enough
Kupari looks like he can build on top of his game and become more productive
Turcotte, I don’t see it
Kaliyev improved his game the most within the single season more than any other rookie.
Byfield is a big question mark, they can’t afford him being a third liner.
He’s slated to be the 1c or the rebuild will start again until the Kings find a franchise player.

 

[verbalkint47]

Yea that would be great for Byfield but any top player they bring in will be played next to Kopitar. Plus it takes any chance away from guys like Vilardi Turcotte and Kaliyev getting top powerplay time and top six minutes. Im all for getting Byfield a goal scorer to play with but this is Kopitars team.
Still wanna see a Kempe-Byfield-Kaliyev line get some games together.

You're not wrong, I'm just saying what I'd like to see. Kopitar has never consistently had an elite winger and still produced, he doesn't need one. The ideal scenario next season should be making the playoffs again with Byfield making major strides and looking like a future 1st line center. Get the kid help

 

[Schrute farms]

Im all for getting Byfield a goal scorer to play with but this is Kopitars team.
Still wanna see a Kempe-Byfield-Kaliyev line get some games together.

This is the problem (or elephant in the room); and big issue to figure out timing wise. It's been Kopi's team for a long time and deservedly so. This past year, still was - in an effort to improve and make the playoffs. But going forward, the Kings FO/coaches need to admit that for the betterment of the team and these young players, the baton needs to be passed. Both to Danualt & Byfield. Same with some of the young wingers too (Brown retiring forces one spot & a leadership opportunity). Even if that means a slightly step back this coming year record/point wise.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Well regardless of what a lot of optimists say. Byfield needs to improve a ton.

I'm both a hopeful optimist and someone who recognizes that Byfield needs to improve a ton.

He didn't seem to be used to the skill and pace of NHL opponents.​

His hunched-over skating at speed didn't seem to be something that he could do while receiving the puck.​

His insistence on using a short (for him) stick meant seemed to hold him back.​

He needs to get better at making the short pass from the boards in the defensive zone.​

On the other hand, we saw some progression.

He went from being tentative on the boards to being able to handle and even initiate contact.​

He got better at handling the defensive responsibilities that an NHL center has in the Kings system.​

Byfield is a big question mark, they can’t afford him being a third liner.
He’s slated to be the 1c or the rebuild will start again until the Kings find a franchise player.

I don't think it's a binary state. Byfield can play and develop on the third line, the way that the NYR have a kid line of Chytil-Lafreniere-Kakko. Of course if he develops into a 3C instead of a 1C, that's a huge disappointment.

 

[JeanBlanc]

This is the problem (or elephant in the room); and big issue to figure out timing wise. It's been Kopi's team for a long time and deservedly so. This past year, still was - in an effort to improve and make the playoffs. But going forward, the Kings FO/coaches need to admit that for the betterment of the team and these young players, the baton needs to be passed. Both to Danualt & Byfield. Same with some of the young wingers too (Brown retiring forces one spot & a leadership opportunity). Even if that means a slightly step back this coming year record/point wise.

I'd argue that maximizing Kopitar's performance over a full season and playoffs would also necessitate him reducing his ice time. I think we all saw him run out of gas towards the end of the season as he played monster minutes.

Of course, it would be helpful if Byfield emerged and had play that demanded re-balancing time across the three lines.

Additionally, Kopitar's puck possession style of power-play seems to have aged poorly as modern PKs have grown more skilled and disciplined. It's much harder to lure a penalty killer out to the periphery without a 50/50 puck battle at stake. If Kopitar holds the puck at the outer edge of the circle, away from the wall, defenses back off and dare him to shoot, knowing that statistically, he won't from a static position (and that if he does, everyone is ready for it). Kopitar's a skilled guy and I assume that with practice, he can adjust to a more dynamic PP without the puck stopping on any single player's stick for very long.

 

[tkb81]

Always find it funny when people bitch and ask for more govt assistance while getting more taxation then complain about the cost of living. Then ignore that all while complaining about prices at the store and pump get higher while the dollar gets weaker. They vote these people in and get surprised when the big govt they advocate for bones them. Rinse and repeat. If I was an athlete I wouldn’t move to play here in socal and pay the clout tax of living here. Move to Texas or Florida. Keep your money and do whatever you want with it.

Also In the high likelihood that Byfield flops as well. It’s going to be A really really rough next few years again being a fan of this team. Especially trying to sign players here will be difficult too. Don’t see why anyone would discount Byfields play when he couldn’t string 2 good games together.

my arent you a ray of sunshine

 

[kingsfan28]

10 years...

 

[FSL KINGS]

Any thoughts on Jesse Puljujarvi now that reports are that he might be in play? Found some mention of him from 2-3 year old posts.

Like Puljujarvi as a target. Righty. Believe he grew up in Sweden & is of Finnish decent so he should fit in well with the Swedes & Kupari. Good size & speed.

Has some good things in his game & think he may breakout given a better fit on a different team & improving as he ages.

Trouble is going to be getting him. Offersheet with Oilers cap issues could work. Holland probably trades him out of division before it gets to that point though.

 

[Fishhead]

Like Puljujarvi as a target. Righty. Believe he grew up in Sweden & is of Finnish decent so he should fit in well with the Swedes & Kupari. Good size & speed.

Has some good things in his game & think he may breakout given a better fit on a different team & improving as he ages.

Trouble is going to be getting him. Offersheet with Oilers cap issues could work. Holland probably trades him out of division before it gets to that point though.

He's not going to score more on the Kings than he does on the Oilers, he's a low 30's guy on the Kings at best. How much would an offer sheet have to be, close to $4M? He's going to want more money than he's worth. I just don't see the point, he's 24 and he would be around the 7th or 8th best forward on the team.