Prospect Info: Quinton Byfield (2nd Overall 2020 Draft) Discussion part II

[ORRFForever]

the timing quote was sarcasm but the beast mode tonight was real , he played extremely well and did everything but score

Hopefully he will start scoring soon. Rooting for him!

 

[mysterman2]

stick handling, puck protection, size and offensive awareness all on display tonight- he didnt score but was dominant at times and arguably his best game as an NHLer. With experience and a bit more confidence and better linemates- you can see why he is the future 1st line center.

 

[DoktorJeep]

We all want more production from QB. He was drafted to bring that to the table.

I think you need to see him over the next 33 games to make a half season evaluation.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Game 50 against Arizona was another one where Byfield was asserting himself more physically in the offensive zone. It was disappointing that his linemates weren't that effective on the cycle.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Game 50 against Arizona was another one where Byfield was asserting himself more physically in the offensive zone. It was disappointing that his linemates weren't that effective on the cycle.

I think that could of been Byfield's worst game yet...very ineffective, just wasn't making anything happen.

 

[mysterman2]

Game 50 against Arizona was another one where Byfield was asserting himself more physically in the offensive zone. It was disappointing that his linemates weren't that effective on the cycle.

Yeah...someone posted advanced stats when AA was with Danault that Danaults stats dropped and not unfair to think the same would apply with Byfield. Throw in Browns declining skills where making a basic pass is a bridge too far, Byfields current linemates not helping his cause.

That said- maybe not the worst thing as it will force Byfield to be more assertive and create on his own and we can only speculate how with experience and quality linemates the ceiling. I would like to think the Kings have a plan to bring Vilardi up to play with him at some point. Both have great size and offensive awareness that would make a good fit.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

If AA isn’t streaking down the wing by himself - which I will admit he is good at- he is completely useless. No use of linemates, no passing plays. If that line can connect three passes in a row up the ice it would be a victory in itself. I was bagging on Brown but he made a couple fine passing plays later on in the game, and on the PP. Byfield looks fine down low when he finally gets the puck on his stick, but they are having trouble establishing any sort of sustained possession.

Tldr, I really want Grundstrom in over AA. Get some forechecking and a different vibe going on that line.

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

The reason I can think of as to keeping AA in the line up is for trade value. He wont garner much at this point and if he starts getting scratched his value is nil. MAYBE Blake is hoping AA shows something to some other GM. The sooner he is jettisoned the better for QB.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I’m not even going to bother posting about him anymore until he’s removed from AA.

 

[BringTheReign]

Jettison AA off to an east coast playoff team for a draft pick, then bring up Vilardi, JAD, or Fagemo to play wing with QB and Brown.

 

[respD]

Here's how the QB/AA combination has worked out to date (5v5 numbers).

2020-2021 season
QB with AA (58:04): CF% 45.74, xGF% 44.62
QB w/o AA (18:31): CF% 45.45, xGF% 42.45

2021-22 season
QB with AA (72:30): CF% 42.86, xGF% 41.17
QB w/o AA (33:32): CF% 61.67, xGF% 77.40

Those are small sample sizes but the trend is concerning, especially since AA has been QB's most consistent line mate by far since he played his first game last season.

QB is in the NHL to stay so I say the mission now is to try different wings with him to see which combination is most productive. My candidates would be Kaliyev, Grundstrom and Andersson (when healthy), and Vilardi and Turcotte if there's an opportunity to bring a player up from Ontario.

 

[mysterman2]

Jettison AA off to an east coast playoff team for a draft pick, then bring up Vilardi, JAD, or Fagemo to play wing with QB and Brown.

I pray and hope this is the strategy at hand. Clearly the most sensible. Hate to say this because of Browns legacy to the franchise but he should start platooning with Grundstrom. Win/Win for all parties IMO.

 

[Pucknut50]

With all this wisdom here we all know what's going to happen AA is going to heat up and the talk of resigning him will follow.

 

[Herby]

With all this wisdom here we all know what's going to happen AA is going to heat up and the talk of resigning him will follow.

Yup,

This happened last season, he scored a couple of his trademark beautiful goals and people talked of signing him to an extension. He is not awful, he can serve a purpose on a certain type of team, but he is a mercenary that gets bumped out by developing players. I'm just not sure right now the Kings have a player better suited to provide offense on that 3rd scoring line.

By next season you have to hope that someone fills that spot.

 

[Trash Panda]

Jettison AA off to an east coast playoff team for a draft pick, then bring up Vilardi, JAD, or Fagemo to play wing with QB and Brown.

I’d settle for a White Castle gift card for AA.

 

[cyclones22]

The kids in the AHL are absolutely doing well. Vilardi is dominating and shooting 22% and really should start on Byfield's wing next season replacing Brown. Turcotte has 18 points in 26 games while leading the team with a +18 and shooting 17%. Fagemo is shooting 19% and has 15 goals in 37 games and Madden is at 17% and both of them are supposed to be goal scorers but Tyler also play-makes. JAD is shooting 20% at 0.5 goals per game while playing wing and needs to replace Arty on that 4th line once he's promoted and AA goes bye-bye. That's not even discussing Spence and Grans who are also playing quite well. None of the kids are struggling and that's part of why the Reign are dominating. They lead the entire league in goals scored. Even if you removed all of Frk's 24 goals, they'd still be tied for 8th in the league and some of the youth almost assuredly would have more goals because of the increased opportunity on the first line and the PP1 unit. I really hope that Blake and company make the right decisions on who to keep and who to trade for upgrades elsewhere.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

 

[Reclamation Project]

Love ya Byfield but you have GOT to dump the Sherwood gear, please!

 

[Statto]

Great watch and some interesting insights. Clearly getting advice from Kopi and I’m sure others. His attitude seems top draw. I liked how Kopi joked with him, calling him ‘the Saviour’. It gave me good vibes.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Great watch and some interesting insights. Clearly getting advice from Kopi and I’m sure others. His attitude seems top draw. I liked how Kopi joked with him, calling him kthe Saviour’. It gave me good vibes.

I'm always in the GDTs pissed about his deployment and the other threads questioning our whole team's top-end development, but it's clear there's a lot of structure and love and respect there. Love seeing interactions with Stoll and Kopi and the others, and it's all just beginning. Very very exciting.

 

[respD]

I'd like to see how it would work with QB centering Vilardi and Turcotte. Turcotte seems like he might be a good digger type of player who could be like an Iafallo with maybe higher upside. Was that line ever tried in Ontario?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'd like to see how it would work with QB centering Vilardi and Turcotte. Turcotte seems like he might be a good digger type of player who could be like an Iafallo with maybe higher upside. Was that line ever tried in Ontario?

I don't think it was but you'd imagine it would work with all their IQ and frankly IMO that's the absolute best situation for Turcotte--he's gonna be a bit of a chameleon since he's a chance creator, but if you put him in the bottom six you won't see production. If you put him with other high IQ players (see Zegras-Kaliyev-Turcotte) he's the go-to high-end puck hound. There's a eason Turcotte-Vilardi-Madden and Turcotte-Vilardi-Fagemo are so beastly. Can't imagine Turcotte-Byfield-Vilardi would be a bad thing other than inexperience. I would absolutely f***ing LOVE that as a third line right this minute but I'll settle for next season too haha.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Clearly getting advice from Kopi and I’m sure others.

I loved seeing that sequence of him getting faceoff advice from Kopitar.

 

[kilowatt]

Have we considered just switching Iafallo and Athanasiou at even strength? Iafallo really seems like someone Byfield should be playing with and Kopitar can make up for any defensive deficiencies in AA's game.

Athanasiou - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Iafallo - Byfield - Brown
Lemieux - Lizotte - Kaliyev

A guy like Iafallo settles the third line, provides defense, and can potentially help get the best out of both Byfield and Brown.

 

[kingsfan]

Have we considered just switching Iafallo and Athanasiou at even strength? Iafallo really seems like someone Byfield should be playing with and Kopitar can make up for any defensive deficiencies in AA's game.

Athanasiou - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Danault - Arvidsson
Iafallo - Byfield - Brown
Lemieux - Lizotte - Kaliyev

A guy like Iafallo settles the third line, provides defense, and can potentially help get the best out of both Byfield and Brown.

While the idea of giving AA top line ice bothers me, I'd like to see Iafallo and Byfield together. I'd really like to see a Iafallo-Byfield-Moore line personally but you can't mess with that second line.