Prospect Info: LAK Draft (2nd, 2020) C Quinton Byfield - Sudbury Wolves, OHL

[Peter James Bond II]

May not be the worst idea. Blake and Co. is going to need to reconfigure this main roster after everything that happened this last half of the week. Although, I'm not sure what's the status on Turcotte, because I would think he would be the next center in line.

Hoven stated that Turcotte, Frk and Luff were skating at TSC...so that's good news.

 

[kilowatt]

I'm bummed Byfield is banged up, but take a quick look around:


Lafreniere, one of the most NHL ready prospects we've seen in a while, has 0 points and -3 in 6 games with NYR (he's "looked" good, to be fair--and the production will come).
Stutzle has a goal--but he's struggling mightily to the point where their fans are ready to get him out of the situation and into the AHL or Germany again quickly.


Pretty glad we have an organization that's patient and layered enough to not just throw these kids to the fire and as we discussed it's a cautionary tale about prospect expectations.

For every McDavid or Doughty, there are a dozen Hugheses, Kaakkos, Lafrenerieres, and Stutzles who aren't ready to make the jump, especially in such a weird year. It's entirely possible that Byfield or Turcotte make the jump and play great. You just never know.

 

[King'sPawn]

With covid strinking and a couple of players likely headed to i.r., could we call up Quinton for his cup of tea?

May be a good idea to get him in a few games with the thought of getting him some experience in the event that we make a playoff push.

I'm guessing no.

With the OHL not having a season announced yet, Byfield and Kaliyev are in a position they normally could never be in.

They can develop in the AHL for as long as there's no OHL season. Then when the OHL season is announced/started, THEN they could call him up and give him more professional time.

They're probably milking this loophole/opening for as long as they can. They benefit more getting top-6 time in a developmental league than bottom-6 time where there's a much smaller margin of error.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

For every McDavid or Doughty, there are a dozen Hugheses, Kaakkos, Lafrenerieres, and Stutzles who aren't ready to make the jump, especially in such a weird year. It's entirely possible that Byfield or Turcotte make the jump and play great. You just never know.

Agreed.

There is no pattern anymore, even less than before.

Aleksi Heponiemi, 90 assists in just 58 GP in the OHL. Strong showing at the WJC and Liiga the next year, to 3 goals and a dozen assists in the AHL the following year.

Than you have players like Draisaitl who I didn’t expect to be this good.

 

[Big Papi]

I'm bummed Byfield is banged up, but take a quick look around:
Stutzle has a goal--but he's struggling mightily to the point where their fans are ready to get him out of the situation and into the AHL or Germany again quickly.

Ottawa fan here, in large part our fanbase does not think Stutzle is struggling at all, apart from the typical HFboard Sens doomsdayers. The only calls ive seen to have him go back to Germany is mainly to do with not burning a year on his contract.

Stutzle and Byfield are different types of players at different stages of development. I think being patient with QB is the right approach, especially if you want me to be a centre. Ottawa really did a disservice to Curtiz Lazar In Ottawa it's not clear if Jimmy Stu is going to stay on the wing or not.

 

[Mats26]

Ottawa fan here, in large part our fanbase does not think Stutzle is struggling at all, apart from the typical HFboard Sens doomsdayers. The only calls ive seen to have him go back to Germany is mainly to do with not burning a year on his contract.

Stutzle and Byfield are different types of players at different stages of development. I think being patient with QB is the right approach, especially if you want me to be a centre. Ottawa really did a disservice to Curtiz Lazar In Ottawa it's not clear if Jimmy Stu is going to stay on the wing or not.

Thought Timmy playing with men in the DEL will prepare him for the NHL but he just looks overmatched. A couple of flashes here or there but he needs to build his body up to NHL standards. Short season but with the Sens being a dumptser fire the best for him is to return to Germany.

 

[Statto]

Thought Timmy playing with men in the DEL will prepare him for the NHL but he just looks overmatched. A couple of flashes here or there but he needs to build his body up to NHL standards. Short season but with the Sens being a dumptser fire the best for him is to return to Germany.

My big irritation with the assessments of Stützle was that people kept saying “he’s played with men” as if they would for players coming out of the Sweden, equating it. It has created a false narrative and expectation. The DEL is not the same and the “played with men” factor carries far less weight. I’ve done my thoughts on the DEL to death so won’t do so again, however I agree he looks overmatched at times and it really doesn’t surprise me one little bit. I’ve always said that he will be a top player though and my view hasn’t changed. It’ll just take a little time for him and a bit of patience from everyone else.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

My big irritation with the assessments of Stützle was that people kept saying “he’s played with men” as if they would for players coming out of the Sweden, equating it. It has created a false narrative and expectation. The DEL is not the same and the “played with men” factor carries far less weight. I’ve done my thoughts on the DEL to death so won’t do so again, however I agree he looks overmatched at times and it really doesn’t surprise me one little bit. I’ve always said that he will be a top player though and my view hasn’t changed. It’ll just take a little time for him and a bit of patience from everyone else.

Yeah not even going to get into the DEL stuff again myself, because I'm with you, that was pretty easy to forsee--but that was really the point we've been discussing across the boards all week--Stutzle seems to fit more into that group of prospect that starts looking amazing at the end of this year/beginning of next rather than right out the gate. Look how Kakko looked coming back into the bubble; look how Jack Hughes started this year (is that still going?). I think TS will figure it out in short order just like that.

The whole point of all of the above was simply to remind everyone to exercise patience with prospects, it wasn't meant as any sort of slam on Laf or Stutzle.

 

[kilowatt]

Yeah not even going to get into the DEL stuff again myself, because I'm with you, that was pretty easy to forsee--but that was really the point we've been discussing across the boards all week--Stutzle seems to fit more into that group of prospect that starts looking amazing at the end of this year/beginning of next rather than right out the gate. Look how Kakko looked coming back into the bubble; look how Jack Hughes started this year (is that still going?). I think TS will figure it out in short order just like that.

The whole point of all of the above was simply to remind everyone to exercise patience with prospects, it wasn't meant as any sort of slam on Laf or Stutzle.

Hughes' first three games: 2 goals, 4 assists
Hughes' last six games: 1 goal, 1 assist

Bust much?

 

[Frolov 6'3]

My big irritation with the assessments of Stützle was that people kept saying “he’s played with men” as if they would for players coming out of the Sweden, equating it. It has created a false narrative and expectation. The DEL is not the same and the “played with men” factor carries far less weight. I’ve done my thoughts on the DEL to death so won’t do so again, however I agree he looks overmatched at times and it really doesn’t surprise me one little bit. I’ve always said that he will be a top player though and my view hasn’t changed. It’ll just take a little time for him and a bit of patience from everyone else.

I disagree, Statto.

The DEL is a good league. If you get ice time there as 18 year old boy and put up points, you are more than fine. People like to tear down this league as a graveyard for former NHL/AHL players, which isnt untrue but you are still playing against men.

Obviously not comparable with the SHL, AHL or KHL, but another gem is soon coming over (Seider).

I think you must put that irritation aside.

 

[Steve Zissou]

(Ex-King) Warren Rychel on Byfield:

"Real powerful, two-way center. For a bigger guy, he just takes a little longer, that’s all. Real good player, he just has to get some reps under his belt. Huge man, comes from a really good family too. He has to play a little bit more. Every kid wants to get to the NHL, some guys just take a different path. For him, he just needs a little time. He’s gonna be fine. He’s a huge player, gonna be a great player in the NHL for a long time."

Former OHL GM Shares Notes on Gabe Vilardi and Quinton Byfield

 

[KopitarFAN]

So is the last update on the OHL season still "not starting in early February"?

 

[Wisdom]

Any word on Byfield? I havent been able to find anything

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Not a peep. He was 'day-to-day' a week ago and it doesn't appear, unless there's a surprise or I missed something entirely, that he'll be getting into this weekend's games vs. Baby Vegas.

 

[Wisdom]

Thank You

 

[Statto]

I disagree, Statto.

The DEL is a good league. If you get ice time there as 18 year old boy and put up points, you are more than fine. People like to tear down this league as a graveyard for former NHL/AHL players, which isnt untrue but you are still playing against men.

Obviously not comparable with the SHL, AHL or KHL, but another gem is soon coming over (Seider).

I think you must put that irritation aside.

It’s not the same. The speed, skill and intensity is a step or two behind those other leagues and as such it’s easier to avoid contact and find soft spots. Hence he did a lot of his work on the perimeter in the DEL. My point always was that it created a risk and is not the same as playing against men in those other top leagues. It was the argument that he was little or no risk as a pick, ‘because he played with men’ that I objected to. I never said he could not, or would not adjust and always said I thought he would.

I’ve seen plenty of DEL games and am comfortable with my assessment of the league and where it sits. Perhaps, I’ve not articulated my view effectively - quite possible.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

It’s not the same. The speed, skill and intensity is a step or two behind those other leagues and as such it’s easier to avoid contact and find soft spots. Hence he did a lot of his work on the perimeter in the DEL. My point always was that it created a risk and is not the same as playing against men in those other top leagues. It was the argument that he was little or no risk as a pick, ‘because he played with men’ that I objected to. I never said he could not, or would not adjust and always said I thought he would.

I’ve seen plenty of DEL games and am comfortable with my assessment of the league and where it sits. Perhaps, I’ve not articulated my view effectively - quite possible.

Fair enough but you think he is out of place right now ?

Still plenty of hockey needs to played but his play right now basically shows *those people* might be right. He went straight to the NHL and is doing ok.

 

[lumbergh]

I keep clicking on this thread thinking I'll read stuff about Quinton Byfield.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Fair enough but you think he is out of place right now ?

Still plenty of hockey needs to played but his play right now basically shows *those people* might be right. He went straight to the NHL and is doing ok.

I would assert that I agree with Statto's assessment of the league as well as how Stutzle played in it. His play in the NHL isn't somehow proof that the DEL is better, he's playing a much more high-contact game, he just happens to be more successful at it thus than we gave him credit for being possible (given he went down at a light sneeze in the DEL).

Same mistake I made with Pettersson, really. He was maybe even more bambi-legs than TS was, but at least it was a stronger league.

Regardless, it's about development. No one is 'right' after not even 10 games.

 

[Sol]

I keep clicking on this thread thinking I'll read stuff about Quinton Byfield.

Lol same

 

[Bandit]

I keep clicking on this thread thinking I'll read stuff about Quinton Byfield.

Don't you mean Quinton BUSTfield?

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I would assert that I agree with Statto's assessment of the league as well as how Stutzle played in it. His play in the NHL isn't somehow proof that the DEL is better, he's playing a much more high-contact game, he just happens to be more successful at it thus than we gave him credit for being possible (given he went down at a light sneeze in the DEL).

Same mistake I made with Pettersson, really. He was maybe even more bambi-legs than TS was, but at least it was a stronger league.

Regardless, it's about development. No one is 'right' after not even 10 games.

Nobody is “wrong” either and “might” = could be etc etc

I missed that particular discussion about him being a cant miss prospect for playing against men.

If somebody is doing ok in the DEL than yes thats a step or three better than juniors. Why does it matter if that league is worse than Sweden, its better than CHL.

That does not mean Byfield or whoever wont be better in the long run.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

I keep clicking on this thread thinking I'll read stuff about Quinton Byfield.

This is now the second time I read a comment like this within 24 hours.

Is this coincidence or just lameness.

 

[lumbergh]

Don't you mean Quinton BUSTfield?

This board needs a sticky-ed thread for all posts about the Senators. That way everyone else can continue their love-hate relationship with some other team's prospect.

 

[Bandit]

It's pretty f***ing lame that every time you open this thread someone is moaning about Toaster Strudel. We didn't draft him, this thread isn't about him, get over it.