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

[YP44]

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.

I am all for Iafallo with QB and Brown. I am not for AA on the top line would rather move Kempe to the left side and have Kaliyev top right hand side.

 

[kingsboy11]

Byfield needs linemates whose games don't rely on individual moments of brilliance. AA has too many peaks and valleys to be on Byfield's wing. He needs someone like Moore, Arvidsson or Iafallo where their level of play doesn't drop game to game. Having someone whose game isn't "moody" would do wonders for him. I can understand Todd not wanting to mess with the top 6 right now, but we need to address the elephant in the room with Byfield's development. Either send him back down or sit AA and at minimum put Grundstrom in.

I think I remember TM mentioning earlier in the season about like pairing certain players together. So we got Kopi-Iafallo, Danault-Arvidsson, Lemiuex-Lizotte. Byfield at this moment doesn't have true pair with him right now and we need to figure it out soon

 

[bland]

Grundstrom does a really good job in yhe corners, along the wall and has a pretty good shot as well. He does a MUCH better job supporting his linemates than either Brown or Athanasiou. Its a mystery why he constantly gets the shaft here, he plays well and produces at a decent clip for a bottom sixer.

 

[Buzzysboy]

It is concerning that QB is having to learn the NHL game with two very flawed linemates.
Look at both goals against last night- Brown's non-existent back check on goal #1 and AA's leaving the DZone early to cheat for offense on goal #2
I think QB would benefit by playing with more dependable players such as Moore or Iafallo
Tough to change the line up when you are winning games though....

 

[johnjm22]

Grundstrom does a really good job in yhe corners, along the wall and has a pretty good shot as well. He does a MUCH better job supporting his linemates than either Brown or Athanasiou. Its a mystery why he constantly gets the shaft here, he plays well and produces at a decent clip for a bottom sixer.

I don't think it's a mystery why Brown is in the lineup over him.

AA on the other hand is baffling. He's the type of player coaches usually hate. I guess the one great play he makes every 4 games is worth it to Todd.

 

[bmr]

It is concerning that QB is having to learn the NHL game with two very flawed linemates.
Look at both goals against last night- Brown's non-existent back check on goal #1 and AA's leaving the DZone early to cheat for offense on goal #2
I think QB would benefit by playing with more dependable players such as Moore or Iafallo
Tough to change the line up when you are winning games though....

The Kings are handcuffed a bit right now with what they can do on their 3rd line, which should look quite different next year. I don't think AA gets re-signed and Brown likely gets moved to the 4th line and Kaliyev up. I'm sure they will put Byfield with Vilardi and potentially Turcotte. I'd like to see JAD with Lizotte and Lemieux on the 4th line. I think that would be very effective.

 

[Buzzysboy]

The Kings are handcuffed a bit right now with what they can do on their 3rd line, which should look quite different next year. I don't think AA gets re-signed and Brown likely gets moved to the 4th line and Kaliyev up. I'm sure they will put Byfield with Vilardi and potentially Turcotte. I'd like to see JAD with Lizotte and Lemieux on the 4th line. I think that would be very effective.

100% agree with regard to next years 3rd line
Hoping they move AA at the trade deadline for anything and open a roster spot for one of JAD, Villardi or Grundstrom

 

[tbrown33]

I've never seen the entire internet so united on a single issue before, yet the coaching staff seems oblivious to the problem somehow.

 

[Buzzysboy]

I've never seen the entire internet so united on a single issue before, yet the coaching staff seems oblivious to the problem somehow.

Winning makes you oblivious

 

[johnjm22]

Todd knows the 3rd line is bad. He's not oblivious.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I've never seen the entire internet so united on a single issue before, yet the coaching staff seems oblivious to the problem somehow.

If you believe that, it just proves you haven't been watching NHL hockey for very long. Despite the fact that this current 3rd line seems to have gotten worse and worse in the past 3 games, we've collected 2 points out of every one. Coaches RARELY make line-up changes if their teams are winning unless there are injuries...that's just a fact. Maybe Todd is a very superstitious dude like most hockey guys are.

With that said, that 3rd line was so bad this last game, I would not be surprised to see a change in tomorrow's game...I also would not be surprised if we didn't.

 

[regulate]

Byfield- Still very raw, certainly leaps and bounds behind Kopitar at the same age. Some difficulties in development not his fault, including injury and C-19 limits. Probably a 50-60 pt player at some point, but a lot of criticisms scouts had about his play prior to the draft have been evident in his limited pro career so far. Kings are shooting for the moon, hoping that raw talent and size will come to pass and become that 1C they hope he will be. Time will tell.

 

[King'sPawn]

I've never seen the entire internet so united on a single issue before, yet the coaching staff seems oblivious to the problem somehow.

My GUESS (not a defense at all) is that McLellan is hoping Brown and AA will "recover" or return to previous form.

It worked with Moore, who struggled earlier in the season.

However, I think that's where the similarities fall. I still prefer that Byfield line be broken up and redistributed.

 

[kingsfan]

Brown is due for a "rest" day any time now. Give him one and slide in Grundstrom. Also is time to give Vilardi a recall and try him on a wing to see what we got in him ahead of the trade deadline. Kid has earned a recall and the trade waters are heating up.

 

[Buzzysboy]

Todd knows the 3rd line is bad. He's not oblivious.

Was being cynical obviously
As I said earlier- tough to change the lineup when you are winning

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

My GUESS (not a defense at all) is that McLellan is hoping Brown and AA will "recover" or return to previous form.

It worked with Moore, who struggled earlier in the season.

However, I think that's where the similarities fall. I still prefer that Byfield line be broken up and redistributed.

Right, the train of thought could be focused on trying to give the kid consistent line mates for several games rather that force the notion that things aren't working. Todd has already made it clear they don't want Byfield to feel like is a savior of any sorts. So, if they aren't losing...

 

[BigKing]

The supposed 4th line is so good that it is actually the 3rd line and this horrific "3rd line" we are complaining about is actually the 4th line.

Since they are winning, they most likely aren't going to tinker with the 4th line. It's hard to tinker with it anyways since they are not going to scratch Brown and this place would riot if Byfield was scratched.

Make no mistake though: Byfield isn't playing like some world beater that is just being dragged down by his line mates. Kid is making plenty of mistakes on his own but that is to be expected. Falls in line with Herby's notion that he should have played in the NHL all of last season since it was a throwaway year for the Kings anyways. Now he is having the learning season in the midst of a playoff run.

To that point, I love the contract sliding to this year and since he is so young, I'm not terribly worried about his development. I just really wanted him to have someone like Iafallo on his wing as the lack of any sustained offensive zone time is something to worry about.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Putting it in here too cus it seemed relevant and I asked about it just for you guys.

Don't say I never do nothin' for ya.

 

[johnjm22]

My GUESS (not a defense at all) is that McLellan is hoping Brown and AA will "recover" or return to previous form.

I'm fine with Brown being given a long leash to get his game back (because that's how it is with respected veterans). But that leash has been fully extended now. He should be the 13th forward.

Todd has to make the tough decision. This is never an easy situation, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[kilowatt]

Putting it in here too cus it seemed relevant and I asked about it just for you guys.

Don't say I never do nothin' for ya.

Thanks for asking that. For real. I don't know why you get shit on sometimes around here, I'll assume it's out of love, but I appreciate your work!

I do think external help is on the way, too.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Putting it in here too cus it seemed relevant and I asked about it just for you guys.

Don't say I never do nothin' for ya.

The 3rd line is ill-composed - he cant expect it to congeal at any point now or in the future. Its like he was putting together a jigsaw puzzle and realized at the end he was missing some pieces and just shoves some non-fitting pieces together since thats all that he had left. He is working on either self imposed constraints or some coming from above namely: play Byfield, play Brown. By definition this will never work.

 

[tbrown33]

My GUESS (not a defense at all) is that McLellan is hoping Brown and AA will "recover" or return to previous form.

It worked with Moore, who struggled earlier in the season.

However, I think that's where the similarities fall. I still prefer that Byfield line be broken up and redistributed.

That was my point, all we can do is guess until an actual change has been made. Nobody knows what the coach thinks unless he says it. But it's been like this for more than enough games imo and Grundstrom is just sitting there. It was only a few games where they played together - but it worked, and now it doesn't, and hasn't - at all. It's very clear what kind of winger Byfield needs (board battling puck hounds who can forecheck, which we have on every other line except the 3rd line).

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Thanks for asking that. For real. I don't know why you get shit on sometimes around here, I'll assume it's out of love, but I appreciate your work!

I do think external help is on the way, too.

I think Jesse does great work, couple criticisms though:

1) your dad joke has jumped the shark
2) stop with the 'quote-unquote' -- my friends and I have a drinking game, we have to take a shot every time you say that ;-)

All in all, good stuff Jesse.

 

[All The Kings Men]

The 3rd line is ill-composed - he cant expect it to congeal at any point now or in the future. Its like he was putting together a jigsaw puzzle and realized at the end he was missing some pieces and just shoves some non-fitting pieces together since thats all that he had left. He is working on either self imposed constraints or some coming from above namely: play Byfield, play Brown. By definition this will never work.

I think the key part of that quote was "If we have to, we'll look outside of those 3"...

 

[All The Kings Men]

I think Jesse does great work, couple criticisms though:

1) your dad joke has jumped the shark
2) stop with the 'quote-unquote' -- my friends and I have a drinking game, we have to take a shot every time you say that ;-)

All in all, good stuff Jesse.

Woah. Do I really do the "quote - unquote" thing that much?? Genuinely appreciate that kind of feedback!