I appreciate you taking the time to explain your stance, even though I disagree with it. I'll try to address some key points, not to argue (we're both pretty set in our ways) but to provide clarity or context. Maybe ask some questions. I don't always know everything I'm going to write when I write, that's why I ramble, lol.
Some of the "antagonism" I'm sure came from me in some capacities. So, if I've been that way towards you or others, I get passionate and heated - I apologize. I know ultimately we all want the Kings to win. I can only speak from my own end, but sometimes it's frustrating to hear people write off young prospects so early. HF is a very large and popular site; it's been on Sportsnet or some channels, at least as far as graphics. So, I think of the potential of family members or maybe the players themselves reading it - granted, athletes generally have thick skin, but I just never feel great about dunking on an 18, 19, 20 year-old. I just try to exercise patience, point out aspects where a player needs to grow while also pointing out where a player HAS grown. Even with prospects/players like Zegras and Caufield, while I've been very critical of them at different times, is more geared to how I don't think they're a good fit for the Kings or just didn't want to draft them at a high position.
It's interesting how both you and Yannetti both say how much you dislike the term "project" to develop a prospect. And that's fair. I just always took it as someone who either needs to learn to put it all together or someone whose strongest skills aren't yet translatable to the NHL level yet, and will require time. For Byfield, I look at it as more of the former. But, I understand the disdain for both the term and for drafting a "project" player so high. If this was an actual rebuild, I think the pick would be better received, but I think managerial decisions are setting fan expectations to an unreasonable level.
I understand your analogy about driving through multiple cities - but I don't agree with how you're applying the ceiling. Whether the change is incremental or immediate, it doesn't change the ceiling. The ceiling will always be there; the question is how long will he be able to play at that level? It's why I'm critical of using Kempe as a "success" story. It took him 7+ years to become the player he is. He'll be 27 by the start of the season. He won't be a 30-40 goal scorer for too many more seasons. Likewise, with Byfield, if it takes him 8 seasons to become the player he can be, it just means we're likely to see his peak for a shorter period of time. Now, I agree with you that the longer it takes, there's a higher likelihood of things going wrong in the process, but Byfield's size and skillset is still a ceiling of a 1st line center. Whether he plays that role for 1 season, 15 seasons, or if he never hits it,
Ultimately I agree there needs to be some organizational changes, either in how the front office does things or just changing the front office. Yannetti and a few other people, to me, deserve more time, because we've seen them show a good body of work with the right management and direction. I just don't think Blake has shown enough to be cognizant of these needs, and Luc will enable him. So, if the hard questions aren't being asked or addressed, I just can't subscribe to any superficial moves that make the team look better on paper.
