Even if people are optimistic that Byfield will pull a Vilardi or Kempe, does that really help with this window if Byfield becomes a 60 point winger at age 23-24 when Kopitar is nearing 40 and Drew is 36-37?
Not saying this is going to happen... It looks pretty unlikely/crazy at this point... But I think the people who are still high on Byfield aren't hoping he becomes a 60 point winger, they're hoping he still becomes an 80+ point 1st line center.
Which absolutely does help the window.
Personally, I do think he still has a shot... I think he has the tools and is still young enough to put it all together. But I'll admit it might be a LONG shot and therefore don't blame people who aren't holding their breath for that to happen / maybe don't even believe it's possible.
I also agree that Blake's job is likely pretty dependent on Byfield. If Byfield booms, Blake is probably pretty safe. If not, the seat gets hotter / they should probably show him the door.
But speaking as a #ByfieldBeliever, that's the hope. The hope is he has a breakout season next year and becomes a 50-60 point player. If he's a 50-60 point player as a 21 year old, the idea that he could become a first line center becomes a lot more realistic.
Byfield's ceiling is clearly a very polarizing subject amongst Kings fans. Some still believe he can be a star center who can produce over a point per game in his prime. Others believe his ceiling is now likely just solid middle 6 center or decent top 6 winger.
We really don't know who's right and depending on how you look at it, both viewpoints can seem a little crazy. Am I crazy for still believing in the guy's potential? Are you crazy for writing off a 20 year old player? In reality, we're all a little crazy. Time will tell who ends up being 'right' but in the end we're all just guessing/hoping.
What if Byfield becomes that 1st line center for free? Or what if we had traded him before he busted for literally anything? 
