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

[Raccoon Jesus]

In fact, I can't recall exactly, but wasn't it Rossi who people were pointing out had one of the highest point differentials against the lower half of the teams vs the upper half? I never saw Byfield in the OHL but I read the posts from people who did. I don't recall that ever being a knock against him.

That and the knock against Rossi was that he was a half inch too short to be a difference maker. Seriously. lol.

There were more than a few people critiquing that suggested 5'10" Perfetti was a fine top 5 pick and Rossi shoudln't break the top 10...then at the combine their official measurements were something like Rossi 5'9.5" and Perfetti 5'9.75" lol.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

have to define long term. I think the expectation for Byfield should be 2 or 3 years post draft year (so next season or the one after).

Was not a 3rd OA but I think about Gagner drafted 2007. He played right after his draft year and looked really good in the 07-08 season. Oiler fans were so pumped that they got a steal of the draft. Looking back with 20/20 vision JVR (2nd OA), did not make his debut till 09-10 season, but obviously is the better long-term player.

Stuzzle > Gagner but I hope Byfield > JVR too.

Can you Identify a 2OA that did not make the big club their draft year or the season after? I know we can find a host of 6OA that took longer to crack the NHL.

I expect the 2OA to play, if not their draft year then the next for sure.

 

[YP44]

Can you Identify a 2OA that did not make the big club their draft year or the season after? I know we can find a host of 6OA that took longer to crack the NHL.

I expect the 2OA to play, if not their draft year then the next for sure.

Ummm yes JVR...as indicated in that post.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

Sure you do, if the longterm payoff is more likely to be greater than that of the short and longterm payoff of the alternative. It is a rare situation for certain.

And yes, Byfield is a project in the sense that while he played well in the OHL he certainly didn't dominate as claimed in this thread. His potential of a huge, imposing, agile productive, smart #1 center is the most valuable commodity in the NHL. You draft him knowing it is going to take a long time before he reaches that projected level.

There are people here who inked Byfield into this years lineup and they were cautioned to dial back their expectations. Its no surprise that the same group of folks are disappointed with his 5 months of development.

Taking a project is a luxury for later in the round(s) *cough* hickey *cough*. I was hopeful that QB could earn a spot on the squad but he has underwhelmed if other posters are to be believed. I definitely take QB takes with a grain of salt, but to accept that the 2OA is a 3-5 year project is to acknowledge the Kings took him too high IMO. Historically 2OA plays sooner rather than later.

Now, I don't buy into the long term project stuff. I expect him to make the Kings next year.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

Ummm yes JVR...as indicated in that post.

looks like JVR got a cup of tea with the pros his 2nd year. sure, it was likely after his jr team finished their season. Now I can't comment on why JVR wasn't called up. could have been the flyers not wanting to burn a year? maybe. I also know the he was traded within that '5 year project time' so maybe he wasnt worthy of 2OA like the majority of skaters taken at that spot

 

[Master Yoda]

Taking a project is a luxury for later in the round(s) *cough* hickey *cough*. I was hopeful that QB could earn a spot on the squad but he has underwhelmed if other posters are to be believed. I definitely take QB takes with a grain of salt, but to accept that the 2OA is a 3-5 year project is to acknowledge the Kings took him too high IMO. Historically 2OA plays sooner rather than later.

Now, I don't buy into the long term project stuff. I expect him to make the Kings next year.

I think there's a difference between playing in the NHL and playing well and producing in the NHL.
While there aren't many 1OA or 2OA that didn't play in the NHL in their D+1 or D+2 seasons, there are only a handful that have had impactful seasons as teenagers.

 

[bland]

Taking a project is a luxury for later in the round(s) *cough* hickey *cough*. I was hopeful that QB could earn a spot on the squad but he has underwhelmed if other posters are to be believed. I definitely take QB takes with a grain of salt, but to accept that the 2OA is a 3-5 year project is to acknowledge the Kings took him too high IMO. Historically 2OA plays sooner rather than later.

Now, I don't buy into the long term project stuff. I expect him to make the Kings next year.

Sigh.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

I think there's a difference between playing in the NHL and playing well and producing in the NHL.
While there aren't many 1OA or 2OA that didn't play in the NHL in their D+1 or D+2 seasons, there are only a handful that have had impactful seasons as teenagers.

I get that 2OA wont necessarily come in and light the world on fire day one, but I do expect more out of him than say the guys picked 3-whatever. Typically the 2nd best ranked prospect in the world can make an immediate impact.

 

[Schmooley]

Now, I don't buy into the long term project stuff. I expect him to make the Kings next year.

I think everyone expects him to make the team next year. He will even get games this year. Its just some people understand that a player with his size and skillset might not fully bloom until 21-22 years old. That doesnt mean he cant play now. Hell grow into the #1 center role as Kopitar grows out of it.

 

[BigKing]

Taking a project is a luxury for later in the round(s) *cough* hickey *cough*. I was hopeful that QB could earn a spot on the squad but he has underwhelmed if other posters are to be believed. I definitely take QB takes with a grain of salt, but to accept that the 2OA is a 3-5 year project is to acknowledge the Kings took him too high IMO. Historically 2OA plays sooner rather than later.

Now, I don't buy into the long term project stuff. I expect him to make the Kings next year.

The idea is that he hits his ceiling during that 3-5 years. This doesn't mean he is a non-factor in the NHL until then but rather he isn't scoring 70 points in the NHL during his D+1 or 2 season.

The Kings can do that if they believe in the center depth of the pipeline along with the length of Kopitar's effectiveness.

Put it this way: the Kings aren't winning the Cup this year if they drafted TS instead. Probably not next year either. If QB winds up being the better player around that point, then it doesn't matter.

As for not playing right away, I still think he gets some NHL games this year. The Kings could be playing him right now if they wanted to since it isn't like he isn't athletic or big enough. Shit...Kaliyev got a game in and my boy MacDermid plays in NHL games and he is the slowest player in the league. It isn't the smart thing to do, however, because the Kings are taking a long term approach v. hoping the 2OA can come in this season and make them a contender all of a sudden. While TS is very good, he still isn't a Doughty level 2OA and even Doughty's awesome rookie season couldn't make the '09 team close to a contender. Anyways, the Kings could definitely have just tossed QB into the NHL this season but that's not the plan and thank goodness they haven't.

It's exciting to see this team not be as horrible as the past two seasons but, I mean, they still lost to the Ducks twice. There are a lot of holes on this team so everyone getting caught up in thinking this team is close needs to chill for a bit. When we look at this team's record, PP% and leading scorers, let us all not forget the mirage that was 2018. Thinking this team is almost legit because Brown and Kopitar are on career best pacing this deep in to their careers is foolish...so is ignoring this COVID schedule that led to a bunch of time off and then a lot less travel this season. I'm not raining on the parade because there are still a lot of positives to take from what we've seen so far but there is still a long way to go.

 

[Herby]

Ummm yes JVR...as indicated in that post.

JVR took the route that most 1st round picks taken out of the NCAA who aren't ready for the NHL take. He played his D1 and D2 years in college, got better as a player, got a cup of coffee AHL playoff run after his sophomore year and then became a fulltime NHL'er at 20.

I think most of us hope and expect QB to be a better NHL'er than JVR (his renaissance at age 31 has been impressive though), that was also a pretty weak draft in hindsight, I don't think JVR is a Top 5 pick most drafts.

The problem is the adjustment to the NHL is usually steep for anyone, ideally this is something that is tackled either in the 18 or 19 year for Top 5 picks. With everything that has happened with Covid I think we can give QB and the Kings a pass for going against recent trend and not having him in the NHL this season, but he really needs to be in the NHL next season. Get over the culture and overall shock, take his lumps and be ready to take the step to impact player in his 2nd year at age 20. If he goes back to junior next season it's a pretty big disappointment because then all of that has to be done at 20.

 

[Herby]

While TS is very good, he still isn't a Doughty level 2OA and even Doughty's awesome rookie season couldn't make the '09 team close to a contender. Anyways, the Kings could definitely have just tossed QB into the NHL this season but that's not the plan and thank goodness they haven't.

Good post overall,

The thing with this part is that Doughty couldn't put them over the top, but that rookie year also went a long way in helping Doughty to become the player he became the next season where he was one of the best players in the league as a 19/20 year old.

Doughty was great as a rookie but he also took his lumps many nights, who can ever forget him being embarrassed by Ryan Smyth in one of the first games of his career (he also scored his 1st NHL goal that game).

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

The idea is that he hits his ceiling during that 3-5 years. This doesn't mean he is a non-factor in the NHL until then but rather he isn't scoring 70 points in the NHL during his D+1 or 2 season.

The Kings can do that if they believe in the center depth of the pipeline along with the length of Kopitar's effectiveness.

Put it this way: the Kings aren't winning the Cup this year if they drafted TS instead. Probably not next year either. If QB winds up being the better player around that point, then it doesn't matter.

As for not playing right away, I still think he gets some NHL games this year. The Kings could be playing him right now if they wanted to since it isn't like he isn't athletic or big enough. Shit...Kaliyev got a game in and my boy MacDermid plays in NHL games and he is the slowest player in the league. It isn't the smart thing to do, however, because the Kings are taking a long term approach v. hoping the 2OA can come in this season and make them a contender all of a sudden. While TS is very good, he still isn't a Doughty level 2OA and even Doughty's awesome rookie season couldn't make the '09 team close to a contender. Anyways, the Kings could definitely have just tossed QB into the NHL this season but that's not the plan and thank goodness they haven't.

It's exciting to see this team not be as horrible as the past two seasons but, I mean, they still lost to the Ducks twice. There are a lot of holes on this team so everyone getting caught up in thinking this team is close needs to chill for a bit. When we look at this team's record, PP% and leading scorers, let us all not forget the mirage that was 2018. Thinking this team is almost legit because Brown and Kopitar are on career best pacing this deep in to their careers is foolish...so is ignoring this COVID schedule that led to a bunch of time off and then a lot less travel this season. I'm not raining on the parade because there are still a lot of positives to take from what we've seen so far but there is still a long way to go.

I agree the Kings have the luxury and quality developmental staff to wait for him to grow and I temper my expectations with his age as well. My gripe is with people making excuses for him. He hasn't made a major impact as many expected. I expect excellence out of a guy we picked 2OA, like clowning defenders, making unbelievable passes and beating goalies with skill and snipes on the regular. Like every game, PUREUD!

 

[YP44]

JVR took the route that most 1st round picks taken out of the NCAA who aren't ready for the NHL take. He played his D1 and D2 years in college, got better as a player, got a cup of coffee AHL playoff run after his sophomore year and then became a fulltime NHL'er at 20.

I think most of us hope and expect QB to be a better NHL'er than JVR (his renaissance at age 31 has been impressive though), that was also a pretty weak draft in hindsight, I don't think JVR is a Top 5 pick most drafts.

The problem is the adjustment to the NHL is usually steep for anyone, ideally this is something that is tackled either in the 18 or 19 year for Top 5 picks. With everything that has happened with Covid I think we can give QB and the Kings a pass for going against recent trend and not having him in the NHL this season, but he really needs to be in the NHL next season. Get over the culture and overall shock, take his lumps and be ready to take the step to impact player in his 2nd year at age 20. If he goes back to junior next season it's a pretty big disappointment because then all of that has to be done at 20.

100% i hope Byfield is a better NHL player than JVR. Just was asked to point to a Number 2 pick that didn't go straight to the NHL. I don't think all #2 picks are created equal, and i think taking time to develop is the best way to go with QB.

Once OHL starts up I think the kings will be forced to either call up QB or send to junior. at that point i could see them calling him up for a handful of kings games, just to see the speed and prep. Than I think they should send him to junior and everyone will label him a bust.

 

[Herby]

100% i hope Byfield is a better NHL player than JVR. Just was asked to point to a Number 2 pick that didn't go straight to the NHL. I don't think all #2 picks are created equal, and i think taking time to develop is the best way to go with QB.

Once OHL starts up I think the kings will be forced to either call up QB or send to junior. at that point i could see them calling him up for a handful of kings games, just to see the speed and prep. Than I think they should send him to junior and everyone will label him a bust.

I don't think anyone calls him a bust. I don't think anyone expected superstar in the AHL but I think it's also fair to say that the expectations from Kings brass were probably a little bit higher than what has been shown thus far, a statement that doesn't make him a bust but also doesn't give him a total free pass. As with every prospect, I don't place much importance on the World Juniors and don't care how he looked in a short tournament, but his league play I think most of us expected a bit better play, there are glimpses of his immense talent but also spurts where he has been noticeably bad. I still can't decide what is the best course of action for him if the OHL comes back and the Kings are forced to make a decision, there are pros and cons to him going to either spot. At this point I hope the OHL just cancels the season and he can play the entire year (and hopefully improve and grow in the AHL). Kaliyev is kind of in the same boat, although I don't think going back to juniors would have quite as negative an effect on him as it might QB.

It's really too bad QB isn't European and is instead subject to the archaic CHL transfer agreement. He is hurt by it more than maybe any other prospect in the league right now. The Kings either send him back to a league he's already dominated, or have him in a league he's not ready for. But the CHL cares about the players well being and development, just ask them they'll tell you!

 

[BigKing]

Good post overall,

The thing with this part is that Doughty couldn't put them over the top, but that rookie year also went a long way in helping Doughty to become the player he became the next season where he was one of the best players in the league as a 19/20 year old.

Doughty was great as a rookie but he also took his lumps many nights, who can ever forget him being embarrassed by Ryan Smyth in one of the first games of his career (he also scored his 1st NHL goal that game).

Doughty was just too good in camp to the point where it made no sense to keep him in the OHL and, again, most 2OAs aren't Doughty. Shit...most draft picks aren't Doughty.

It's actually great that the Kings have the AHL option with Byfield. I would be concerned if he isn't a regular by the midpoint of next season but, if he isn't, it better be because Blake is letting him marinate and not because he is struggling. I expect him to be on the opening night roster though, barring a horrible camp.

I agree the Kings have the luxury and quality developmental staff to wait for him to grow and I temper my expectations with his age as well. My gripe is with people making excuses for him. He hasn't made a major impact as many expected. I expect excellence out of a guy we picked 2OA, like clowning defenders, making unbelievable passes and beating goalies with skill and snipes on the regular. Like every game, PUREUD!

I get it. I am patient but I also have expected more "wow!" type plays just based on his sheer athleticism and measurables. I mean, even just a nice top shelf snipe off a rush or something. I've already brought this up in multiple threads though how I'm bummed out that he isn't shooting enough. It is easy to get scared because he isn't PPG right now and so much is riding on him but it is still very early. He could really come on as the season progresses...all it would take is a nice hot streak or even two goals in five NHL games and this place will be stoked on him again.

 

[YP44]

I don't think anyone calls him a bust. I don't think anyone expected superstar in the AHL but I think it's also fair to say that the expectations from Kings brass were probably a little bit higher than what has been shown thus far, a statement that doesn't make him a bust but also doesn't give him a total free pass. As with every prospect, I don't place much importance on the World Juniors and don't care how he looked in a short tournament, but his league play I think most of us expected a bit better play, there are glimpses of his immense talent but also spurts where he has been noticeably bad. I still can't decide what is the best course of action for him if the OHL comes back and the Kings are forced to make a decision, there are pros and cons to him going to either spot. At this point I hope the OHL just cancels the season and he can play the entire year (and hopefully improve and grow in the AHL).

It's too bad he isn't European and is instead subject to the archaic CHL transfer agreement. He is hurt by it more than maybe any other prospect in the league right now. The Kings either send him back to a league he's already dominated, or have him in a league he's not ready for. But the CHL cares about the players well being and development, just ask them they'll tell you!

I would be ok with him going to the OHL. I like that league and hope they get in a season.

 

[funky]

I get that 2OA wont necessarily come in and light the world on fire day one, but I do expect more out of him than say the guys picked 3-whatever. Typically the 2nd best ranked prospect in the world can make an immediate impact.

Put a little context to it.

Byfield is 9 months younger than a lot of his peers

his previous season was cut short due to Covid

the old adage big players take longer

Kings acknowledged he was picked on projection or the finished package and not the player he was at the moment.

the biggest thing to me is age.

Lafreniere’s Ranger debut he was at 19 years plus 100 days

Stutzle’s Sens debut was at 18 years 300 days.

if Byfield makes his debut at the start of the 22 NHL season if it’s on time in October he will be 19 years 30ish days. Still younger than Lafreniere’s debut and about 3 months older than Stutzle’s debut. That gives Byfield the rest of this season to learn, grow, and be groomed by the Kings staff. Basically if we are comparing what the kids did at the same age we have to wait and see what Byfield does next year in my mind.

 

[Herby]

Put a little context to it.

Byfield is 9 months younger than a lot of his peers

his previous season was cut short due to Covid

the old adage big players take longer

Kings acknowledged he was picked on projection or the finished package and not the player he was at the moment.

the biggest thing to me is age.

Lafreniere’s Ranger debut he was at 19 years plus 100 days

Stutzle’s Sens debut was at 18 years 300 days.

if Byfield makes his debut at the start of the 22 NHL season if it’s on time in October he will be 19 years 30ish days. Still younger than Lafreniere’s debut and about 3 months older than Stutzle’s debut. That gives Byfield the rest of this season to learn, grow, and be groomed by the Kings staff. Basically if we are comparing what the kids did at the same age we have to wait and see what Byfield does next year in my mind.

Good post, and agreed. But that is why he absolutely needs to be in the NHL next season, even if it's in a bottom six role, that should not be to much to ask for him as a 19 year old high pick.

I am not concerned now, as you said this is kind of a lost season, which isn't being helped by playing on a laughing stock team. But if he's playing in Sudbury in October I think it's a potential red flag. If the Kings send him back I'll be officially worried because that will say they think he is really far away.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

Put a little context to it.

Byfield is 9 months younger than a lot of his peers

his previous season was cut short due to Covid

the old adage big players take longer

Kings acknowledged he was picked on projection or the finished package and not the player he was at the moment.

the biggest thing to me is age.

Lafreniere’s Ranger debut he was at 19 years plus 100 days

Stutzle’s Sens debut was at 18 years 300 days.

if Byfield makes his debut at the start of the 22 NHL season if it’s on time in October he will be 19 years 30ish days. Still younger than Lafreniere’s debut and about 3 months older than Stutzle’s debut. That gives Byfield the rest of this season to learn, grow, and be groomed by the Kings staff. Basically if we are comparing what the kids did at the same age we have to wait and see what Byfield does next year in my mind.

I forget sometimes that he just turned 18 last August. For your comparison, QB was 18+ 172days when he played his first pro game for the Reign(if he was on the opening night roster I don't recall if he was still injured).

 

[SFKingshomer]

Would Stutzle even be in LA right now? He probably would have started the year in Ontario and been recalled at some point.

 

[Schmooley]

Would Stutzle even be in LA right now? He probably would have started the year in Ontario and been recalled at some point.

He sure wouldnt be getting first line minutes. That spot is not on the table

 

[Herby]

Would Stutzle even be in LA right now? He probably would have started the year in Ontario and been recalled at some point.

Yes, probably playing on the wing but the Kings wouldn't be doing his development any favors by having him in the AHL. He is an NHL player , that much is clear. Bjornfot being kept up shows that Blake is atleast running a meritocracy.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I can only imagine what this forum would look like if Iafallo was on 1LW over Stutzle

 

[Herby]

I can only imagine what this forum would look like if Iafallo was on 1LW over Stutzle

TMac would put Iafallo on 1st line, #1 PP and starting 3 on 3 even if the Kings had Marchand. Stutzle would have no chance, he'd probably be with Amadio.