The problem is the Kings thought that had plenty of time to let him develop. You had Kupari, Vilardi and Turcotte in front of him at center. What do they do now?
Prospect Info: Quinton Byfield (2nd Overall 2020 Draft) Discussion part II
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Herby
How could Blake have known?
Who are you replying to? It can't possibly be me because your reply makes no sense.
No one (well atleast not me) ever said QB should be dominating in the NHL at 18, just that he should have been playing in the NHL at 18. A Jack Hughes D+1 type season would have been fine, certainly better than the AHL.
QB never played another season of junior, much less two, so why are you defending a 4 year return for a #2OA pick when no other players taken that high who haven't busted have gone that development route? If you are defending that route and believe it would be best why not advocate for him to return to the OHL right now?
The guy you are apparently defending believed that QB, the #2 OA pick should have played two years of major junior after being drafted and an additional season in the AHL before debuting in the NHL. You think that is an optimal route for developing high picks? And if so, why have no NHL teams taken that route?
The stagnation of Vilardi, Kupari and Turcotte probably was one of the biggest reasons they signed Danault. If Vilardi had proven himself to be a really good 2C last year they probably would have rolled with Kopitar-Vilardi and Byfield this season.
But the Kings are fine down the middle. Kopitar is still a good #1, Danault has been excellent as the #2, Lizotte has been great as the 4C (really more like the 3C). Just will need Byfield to be the 3C by the time they break camp next fall.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
This is the question I'm answering. No one's taken that route because no one has dealt with what these kids have. Looking to historical norms doesn't make sense here.
QB isn't a 'normal' development scenario anyway, but
his entire draft year's 'normal' development scenario went down the tubes with covid.
I'm with you on the NHL time for QB, you'll remember I've agreed with you plenty on that. But you're preaching hard and fast rules that the numbers disagree with with respect to when players 'should' break in vs when they actually do.
Herby
How could Blake have known?
Byfield played almost an entire season in what was his final year of junior hockey. There are other players from that draft that are in the NHL in D+2 as well.
The point is, you don't draft players #2 OA that you don't expect to use in the NHL until their D+4. It is just not a development route that is ever used by anyone, and the Kings were never planning on using it with QB so I don't know what the debate is. If you aren't going to break into the NHL for 4 years then you shouldn't be taken that high in the draft. In 2023 if Michkov is signed for 4 years and won't be able to come over until his contract is over he will fall at the draft, it's just common sense.
apocalypse
Dean Lombardi's Yes Man
You draft that high because of the players skill level. You don't necessarily want them to debut in 1 year. How many busts has there been at 2 overall? Quite a few. Developing players takes patience. QB is being rushed but it's not so bad because he's getting minutes. Hes a raw talent. He'll need time.
Herby
How could Blake have known?
apocalypse
Dean Lombardi's Yes Man
Herby
How could Blake have known?
Do you really think he is that raw and far behind other players taken that high in past drafts?
What if he goes back to the AHL and doesn't really gain anything, as apparently was the case last year. Ontario has not exactly been stellar at developing forwards for the Kings, there are going to be things he has to learn at the NHL level, whether it was last season, this season or next season.
apocalypse
Dean Lombardi's Yes Man
Byfield would need to be the star of the team. 1st line center. Let him develop there. I think he could develop in LA, but he really needs more TOI.
Eagle Fang
Less Defending, More Offending
- Oct 12, 2005
- 3,247
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In my unprofessional, non-expert opinion Byfield has nothing to gain from the AHL. Watching him play in ONT and given his skill set, he's better off learning the NHL game from guys like PD and Kopitar. Giving him PP time over Brown might be something for TMac to consider as well.
apocalypse
Dean Lombardi's Yes Man
MBH
Players Play
Mats26
Vet Movement - What's the Maatta?
- Sep 16, 2005
- 3,865
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They only thing we need to worry about with Byfield is that he better be our 1C in 2 years after Kopi is done. Or at worse we will need to cash in our insurance policy and move Danault up there.
How QB gets there is up for debate.
How QB gets there is up for debate.
I mean it's "worse". Kupari was starting to look good on the wing before he was sent down. Bursts of speed at the red line and the attacking blue line.
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Kupari definitely needs to go the Kempe route and become a speedy winger. Hell, I thought that was the goal when he was drafted and as he developed. I know he has played center, but it just seemed so obvious that he would be most effective as a winger in the NHL long before he even started playing in the NHL.
As for Byfield, obviously, everyone on the planet wants to see him get going and start putting up the numbers. He is still very youthful and clearly keeps trying to get away with things that worked for him in the past that no longer will in the NHL. Honestly, I still don't see much to be concerned with. He looks good, still finding his way and gaining confidence. You definitely see his skillset and flashes of brilliance. This has been a common theme of a lot of top picks over the past handful of seasons and Byfield is no different. I am sure the coaching staff and his peers will help settle him down and get him in line with what he should be doing. He honestly can't have a better mentor than Kopitar despite any criticisms the fanbase may have.
As for Byfield, obviously, everyone on the planet wants to see him get going and start putting up the numbers. He is still very youthful and clearly keeps trying to get away with things that worked for him in the past that no longer will in the NHL. Honestly, I still don't see much to be concerned with. He looks good, still finding his way and gaining confidence. You definitely see his skillset and flashes of brilliance. This has been a common theme of a lot of top picks over the past handful of seasons and Byfield is no different. I am sure the coaching staff and his peers will help settle him down and get him in line with what he should be doing. He honestly can't have a better mentor than Kopitar despite any criticisms the fanbase may have.
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I definitely see progression. As he came in, he was criticized for being easily pushed off the puck and not playing physically. Now, he's battling along the boards and sometimes battling through contact on the cycle.
bouncesonly
Registered User
Polish his game like lighting up AHL goalies and then come into the NHL and produce bupkis.....a la JAD?
I checked out the articles from Jack Han's Substack, The Hockey Tactics Newsletter, on a trial subscription:
How will Byfield answer The Question? - Navigating doubt on the path to greatness
A Development Plan for Quinton Byfield - How to give a unique prospect the best chance for success
How will Byfield answer The Question? - Navigating doubt on the path to greatness
A Development Plan for Quinton Byfield - How to give a unique prospect the best chance for success
bouncesonly
Registered User
I like hockey but I think Han's substack is meant for scouts, managers and coaches. Cause $20/month is a lot money for even the hardcore fan to put down for hockey content. People bitch about the Athletic subscription prices, can't imagine paying almost 3x that much for Han's substack.
Yeah, it's steep compared to The Athletic, but I'm really enjoying reading the archive. I started with the ones directly referencing the Kings, but expanded out to topics on player development that directly addressed some of the discussions on this board from someone who's worked in that area for an NHL organization. Maybe I'll start a new thread with the articles I've seen and my categorization so if people want to sign up for a free trial or for a couple months to read through the archives, it wouldn't be overwhelming.
I mean, you can literally see the sources of Byfield's troubles from space. I am sure our coaching staff and upper management are aware and hopefully they've talked with him. It is a very peculiar style he has adopted, and he needs to get it sorted out if he can't make it work at the NHL level, which is an uphill battle for a short stick like that... Maybe they've given him an ultimatum of, you can do whatever you want for x amount of time this season, but if it doesn't work you gotta try our method sort of thing.
Peter James Bond II
"Man, we were right there" - De-Luc-sional
- Mar 5, 2015
- 3,682
- 5,520
QB is just too adamant about using a short stick and also about wanting to be lean and not adding weight...to his detriment. He can easily add 10 pounds and will not lose quickness, or possibly a tiny fraction, but will be able to not only handle the physical rigors better, but be able to utilize his size as a strength. Not be pushed around and knocked down so easily.
Is there a source on that? I don't remember any reporting on him avoiding muscle gains. Would be an interesting read.
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