If anything, Byfield is ahead of where Leon was in development. It doesn't mean he will end up better than Drasaitl, but it certainly shows how bigger guys take longer paths. Also see: Blake Wheeler. 5th OA, but they certainly didn't expect him to take 4 years to make it to the NHL and 7 years until he started hitting his potential. It takes a long time to fill out a taller frame and adjust to it, so unless you are already filled out when you come in like Ovechkin, it's going to take a while.
Prospect Info: Quinton Byfield (2nd Overall 2020 Draft) Discussion part II
- Thread starter kingsboy11
- Start date
-
Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it. Click Here for Updates
If anything, Byfield is ahead of where Leon was in development. It doesn't mean he will end up better than Drasaitl, but it certainly shows how bigger guys take longer paths. Also see: Blake Wheeler. 5th OA, but they certainly didn't expect him to take 4 years to make it to the NHL and 7 years until he started hitting his potential. It takes a long time to fill out a taller frame and adjust to it, so unless you are already filled out when you come in like Ovechkin, it's going to take a while.
DoktorJeep
Luc and Rob are a waste of time and money.
Hard to tell from limited preseason games, but it looks like QB is using a longer stick and skating more upright. I would normally advocate for him cutting his teeth at the NHL level. But his quality of linemates at the AHL level should help him produce more points. The hardest thing to learn is confidence. Young players who have it are the ones that break out early, like Stuztle. I think management is looking for QB to show consistent swagger at this point.
And it sounds like Byfield grew a little too, he's officially listed at 6'5" now
kingsfan
President of the Todd McLellan fan club by default
I don't disagree necessarily, but there is still an expectation, right or wrong. You don't invest an asset like that (2nd overall) and not expect more immediate returns. That goes extra in the cap era where cheap talent that can play at a high level is a huge boon for a teams cup hopes.
As for 'typical' there's no typical 2nd overall pick. For the most part they are unique players and all are lottery tickets at a future trophy and cup winner. The bar is very high when you're second overall and the demands are there to produce and produce fast, regardless of the player picked. It comes with the territory.
johnjm22
Pseudo Intellectual
- Aug 2, 2005
- 21,471
- 18,910
If there's any question at all, I would always opt for the conservative approach when dealing with prospects.
I never agreed with the Kings making Vilardi a full time NHLer so quickly.
The ability to have Byfield in the AHL this year is a unique situation the Kings should take advantage of. There's essentially no downside to it.
I never agreed with the Kings making Vilardi a full time NHLer so quickly.
The ability to have Byfield in the AHL this year is a unique situation the Kings should take advantage of. There's essentially no downside to it.
kingsboy11
Champions Again
100% agreed about starting in the AHL. Such a unique opportunity on our hands having him hone his game and skills playing top 6 minutes in the AHL without adding unnecessary pressure on him to produce at the NHL level. I do think at some point he's going to get called up and never get sent back down.
Sol
Smile
- Jun 30, 2017
- 25,052
- 21,322
Bust is definitely a strong word for him. He will likely be a good 2nd line center. I don't think that's a bust conversation, more like his ceiling might have just been greatly dramatized.
I don't think he's gonna be bad, just nothing special. That ain't bust tho.
AlphaBravo
Registered User
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
The guy's biggest crime is not being flashy. He's put up one of the best junior seasons of the last 20 years and one of the best 18 yo seasons in the AHL ever despite having NO future NHLers on his junior team and the slow AHL start for the whole team. I think anyone selling his ceiling short this early is being dramatic. He is insanely young playing a vital position. Of course sheltered scoring wingers are going to pop in earlier. It's not even a comparison.
It's still so, so strange to me that the people who could overlook Dach scoring at a Kyle Clifford pace to see his potential are deliberately selling QB short. There's being conservative/taking a wait-and-see approach, and then there's outright pessimism.
It's still so, so strange to me that the people who could overlook Dach scoring at a Kyle Clifford pace to see his potential are deliberately selling QB short. There's being conservative/taking a wait-and-see approach, and then there's outright pessimism.
Sol
Smile
- Jun 30, 2017
- 25,052
- 21,322
Yup, he just hasn't shown to be anything special. I don't see 3C, but 2C yes. And now he's in a league with bigger players, and a quicker league. Already some of his best tools are going to be diminished with the NHL just being men and quicker. If he had flashiness I think it definitely would have compensated for his "better tools" being generally more common in the NHL. Flashiness isn't common in the NHL and I think if he had Dynamicism which I would have hoped that a second overall would have, he would probably be a future 1C.
Speed, and bigger size is just too common in the NHL verse what he's used to.
But we will see, he's young. But I haven't been really impressed when watching him.
I think the one tool that will really determine how well he does is his shot. His shot across the board is one of the best from the draft.
If he uses his shot a lot he might end up surprising all of us. Even though he's young, second overall comes with certain expectations. I'm not going to cut him slack for that.
Since he's supposed be our Kopitar replacement, I'll compare him. Kopitar was more dynamic around the same age as he is now.
Last edited:
Schrute farms
LA Kings: new GM wanted -- inquire within
- Jul 7, 2020
- 2,681
- 4,855
With his extreme young age (almost a 2021 draft class) and the COVID situation limiting 2020 on-ice development time - I personally am viewing QB like a 2021 #2 draft pick. Thru that lens, his current standing/development/skill/etc. is perfect prospect wise imo. I’m very happy with QB.
cyclones22
Registered User
His situation is unique. He's going to be a top center but Kopitar is still good. Danault was just signed, and I was 100% behind that signing by the way. Most of our best prospects who are all older are centers, although some will be moved to the wing. There's no need to rush him in. It would be one thing if he was struggling in the AHL even though he was one of the youngest players probably ever to play in that League last season. He did not struggle and excelled towards the mid to end of the season.
Whether you like it or not and I'm certainly not taking any sides, the Kings are not going to throw a teenager on the first or second line and just allow him free reign to learn on the job and do whatever he wants out there. That's just not how this iteration of the Kings operates. They're not going to play him on the first or second line and get major power play minutes for an entire season at 19 years old. Not with this particular team's roster make-up and hope to make the playoffs this season.
King'sPawn
Enjoy the chaos
- Jul 1, 2003
- 23,187
- 24,093
Also just being compared to Lafreniére and Stützle.
Laf was 19 years, 3 months old when he played his first NHL game. Keep in mind he had other very good scoring forwards, including Panarin.
Byfield is 19 years, 1 month old NOW. And will very likely not play much with the Kings top scorer, Kopitar.
Stutzle didn't play even a second of shorthanded time last season. In 53 games. And 2:52 PER GAME on the powerplay.
In 6 games, Byfield averaged 1:22 on the powerplay and 13 seconds shorthanded per game. Byfield literally spent more time shorthanded in one game than Stutzle did in all 53 games combined.
This isn't a knock on Stutzle. He's talented and worth third overall. But Byfield has a unique set of circumstances where it's absurd to compare him to either of the others.
kingsfan
President of the Todd McLellan fan club by default
That's very fair. 2020-21 was a tough year on everyone. Anyone saying his AHL numbers are pedestrian isn't counting the fact he was the youngest guy in the league, and in most cases by a fair margin too. I thought he did very well considering.
I LOVE Stutzle, but if we go back to the draft again right now, I still 10/10 take Byfield again. Stutzle I see as somewhere between a Havlat and a Gaborik (not counting injuries). Byfield's upside is significantly higher than even that in my opinion. We've seen it already in the pre-season. He's not flashy but yet he has or sets up half a dozen scoring chances a night. Let's see what he looks like with someone like Arvidsson on his wing, or even a Brown, someone who has scored at the NHL level and just needs to be spoonfed scoring chances.
FSL KINGS
Registered User
- May 10, 2021
- 3,267
- 2,962
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
Sol
Smile
- Jun 30, 2017
- 25,052
- 21,322
I guess where we all differ is essentially he's drafted at 2nd overall and should have shown some decent signs, and the other group lines up with he's a very young player and they don't put as much stock into the fact he's second overall. Probably the most deductive way I think to explain the difference of opinions.
There's legitimately no debating, only the future will show what he becomes. At the end of the day, we all want him to be good. Some just have more concerns than others whether some see it as justified or unjustified. Just how it happens to be.
There's legitimately no debating, only the future will show what he becomes. At the end of the day, we all want him to be good. Some just have more concerns than others whether some see it as justified or unjustified. Just how it happens to be.
kilowatt
the vibes are not immaculate
- Jan 1, 2009
- 18,721
- 21,831
#1LW
I would be completely fine with that. As long as he's an elite top-line player.
Here is a list the last 10 2nd overalls:
Beniers
Byfield
Kakko
Svechnikov
Patrick
Laine
Eichel
Reinhart
Barkov
Murray
I'd rank them like this (minus Byfield/Beniers):
Eichel
Barkov
Laine
Svechnikov
Reinhart
Murray
Kakko/Patrick
Most of those guys went to teams with lots of spots and crappy rosters. One notable exception is Patrick, which I consider the worst turnout on that list. I don't completely fault the pick, injuries really derailed the guy. I'm pretty sure the thought process was he would come in and push Couturier to the 3rd line, which is what we expect Byfield to do with Danault before Kopitar retires. We've all seen first hand what problems having 3 top-6 level centers causes, so if he pulls it off we are in really good shape.
I see Byfield slotting in between Svechnikov and Laine, but time will tell.
Beniers
Byfield
Kakko
Svechnikov
Patrick
Laine
Eichel
Reinhart
Barkov
Murray
I'd rank them like this (minus Byfield/Beniers):
Eichel
Barkov
Laine
Svechnikov
Reinhart
Murray
Kakko/Patrick
Most of those guys went to teams with lots of spots and crappy rosters. One notable exception is Patrick, which I consider the worst turnout on that list. I don't completely fault the pick, injuries really derailed the guy. I'm pretty sure the thought process was he would come in and push Couturier to the 3rd line, which is what we expect Byfield to do with Danault before Kopitar retires. We've all seen first hand what problems having 3 top-6 level centers causes, so if he pulls it off we are in really good shape.
I see Byfield slotting in between Svechnikov and Laine, but time will tell.
SettlementRichie10
Registered User
- May 6, 2012
- 10,237
- 8,515
You know what the fastest route into the NHL is?
Be a quick skating winger. Easiest position in the league to make an immediate offensive impact.
Be a quick skating winger. Easiest position in the league to make an immediate offensive impact.
Gjwrams
A Know Nothing Fool
- Mar 4, 2019
- 1,941
- 1,881
Here is my two cents......
He is NOT Mathews or something shiny that makes people go "oooooooh". I think people that are luke warm about our future is because we do NOT have the guy in our system and we may never get him. That is why folks get geeked up about Eichel.
I think he will be in the 75-80 point range annually.He's the dude at the end of a 15 year career with 1200 points and hopefully a cup or two under his belt. Byfield, to me, is more in line with Kopitar. Big dude and will control the game. Nothing flashy, just really stinking good.
BTW, I am totally fine with a Kopitar clone.
He is NOT Mathews or something shiny that makes people go "oooooooh". I think people that are luke warm about our future is because we do NOT have the guy in our system and we may never get him. That is why folks get geeked up about Eichel.
I think he will be in the 75-80 point range annually.He's the dude at the end of a 15 year career with 1200 points and hopefully a cup or two under his belt. Byfield, to me, is more in line with Kopitar. Big dude and will control the game. Nothing flashy, just really stinking good.
BTW, I am totally fine with a Kopitar clone.
cyclones22
Registered User
If he turns into a Kopitar clone, which was my hope actually on draft day, I would be ecstatic. When people lament that we don't have a Kopitar or Doughty in the pipeline, if you think about it, that's kind of crazy. You're talking about two of the best players in franchise history who are Hall-of-Fame-caliber. Say for example Byfield and Clarke at least approach the level of those two guys, that would be freaking awesome.
Sol
Smile
- Jun 30, 2017
- 25,052
- 21,322
I think that's being super optimistic to think he can replicate Kopitar. I think we would have seen some of the signs by now. He will probably top out as a Jordan Staal caliber type player.
Gjwrams
A Know Nothing Fool
- Mar 4, 2019
- 1,941
- 1,881
or being pessimistic to think he can't be that.
the main point I'm trying to make is he fits the mold of that type of player as opposed to the Mackinnon/Matthews model.
