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

[YAYSAY]

He was too young to be in the AHL. Kid needed more junior time.
THis year, he should have been in the AHL all year. But Kings forced him to the NHL.
Weird development plan, IMO.
What can you do but hope it works in the end?

Disagree, if anything he should have seen more NHL time last season and been an NHL regular from the start of this season (which was gonna happen until he got hurt). Then he could have had his learning games out of the way and be allowed to make mistakes without much worry, he's had way more pressure because his mistakes have come in the middle of a playoff race, and now in the playoffs he's not as seasoned as he could have been.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The kids need to be eased in for the season, give them limited minutes.
We're sinking in the standings, limit their minutes and play the vets.
We're rising in the standings, limit their minutes and play the vets.
Oh these are basically playoff games, every point matters, limit their minutes and play the vets.
The kids aren't ready for the playoffs....

GEE I f***ING WONDER

 

[Jason Squirties]

The kids need to be eased in for the season, give them limited minutes.
We're sinking in the standings, limit their minutes and play the vets.
We're rising in the standings, limit their minutes and play the vets.
Oh these are basically playoff games, every point matters, limit their minutes and play the vets.
The kids aren't ready for the playoffs....

GEE I f***ING WONDER

I don't disagree with you here but I do wonder a bit and curious of your take. If the kids were allowed a longer leash and we ended up with 2 or 3 less wins and because of that and we don't make the playoffs but we're likely set up better for next year. However, we make the playoffs and you can't really replicate these games in the regular season but the young players now know what it's like to play when games matter. Isn't that better?

I guess it depends on whether we think giving the kids more time earlier in the season would prepare them for the lead up to the end of the season and we end up with the same amount of wins. Crystal ball I guess.

 

[sinister6000]

Some of the fans are looking at Stutzles numbers, compared to Byfields. And Zegres, compared to Turcotte. And are probably thinking that we drafted the wrong guys. But we are going to have to be more patient. Which is hard to do, when you see how well those guys are playing already.

 

[KINGS17]

I think McLellan's options are limited at this point:

1. He can play the vets an extraordinary number of minutes, and lose the series
2. He can pick his spots better as to when to shorten the bench (not in the 1st or 2nd period), and have a shot (long one) at winning the series

The second choice does have future benefits, which is why I favor it.

In either case Quick will have to dominate the Oiler goaltending for the Kings to win this series.

 

[Matt13]

Some of the fans are looking at Stutzles numbers, compared to Byfields. And Zegres, compared to Turcotte. And are probably thinking that we drafted the wrong guys. But we are going to have to be more patient. Which is had to do, when you see how well those guys are playing already.

If 1 of the 2 were producing it would be a lot less painful.

In the future they may pan out, but as of right now, the only thing to compare them to make the picks look like misses.

I certainly am not writing them off but I would love to see The Kings draft someone who comes in and lives up to hype from the get go which we haven't done since Kyle Clifford, maybe?

 

[MBH]

Disagree, if anything he should have seen more NHL time last season and been an NHL regular from the start of this season (which was gonna happen until he got hurt). Then he could have had his learning games out of the way and be allowed to make mistakes without much worry, he's had way more pressure because his mistakes have come in the middle of a playoff race, and now in the playoffs he's not as seasoned as he could have been.

Then you fundamentally misunderstand him as a prospect.

 

[Telos]

Byfield looks very out of place, but that is just to be expected. He definitely has the build, smarts, and skill, but he needs to be ironed out and have his bad habits shored up. He is pretty passive and bunny hops around, but he isn't really getting anywhere and just looks to make a stickhandle and dish the puck any chance he gets while being very green and lackluster defensively.

No matter what, he gets a pass for this season due to his age and status, but if it is the same this time next season alarm bells may start ringing. I honestly believe he has everything he needs to be a monster, though.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I’m just not very optimistic on QB becoming an impact center at this level. I think he’ll probably have a solid NHL career, but calling him Kopitar-lite is an insult to Kopitar. Kopitar came into this league at 19 years old and tore it up. You could see the talent and production right away. QB is not even in the same stratosphere, and he’s older than Kopitar was.

Open to being surprised, and I understand the patience argument, the Covid argument, etc etc. Those are all valid. But I just don’t see a lot to be excited about. Crucify me.

 

[DoktorJeep]

I haven’t closely watched either of the playoff games, so I don’t have an opinion on Byfields game. From what I can tell by the comments is that he starts the first couple of shifts good, but is getting exposed on the regular as the game goes along.

This matches my limited eye test where I’ve only seen him on the ice for a goal against and never a highlight where the Kings score.

Which means he isn’t helping the team win the game. I guess to me it comes down to are you so desperate to win a game that you’ll plug in the next guy and hope you get better results right away.

Can you look at the position and your alternatives and say there is a clear better option? At best it’s debatable that Kupari or Vilardi would be better. You’re really just rolling the dice. Frankly, you have a bigger book on those two, so a younger player may be more motivated to prove his detractors wrong right away versus a guy getting into his first playoff game and just trying to not get burned.

Right after the Kings got the #2 pick, I felt they would take Stutzle because he looked nhl ready and management’s priority was maximizing Kopitar/Doughty without selling futures. I was pleasantly surprised they took QB because I thought he had higher upside that would take a couple years to achieve. It made me feel at least Blake was in this for the right reasons.

As Todd decides his next roster, I think he goes back to QB. At the end of the day, none of the kids were the sole reason they got blown out 6-0. In that game, you look to your vets to put up something in order to avoid complete embarrassment.

So I hope Todd scratches AA because if you want to send a message after a blowout, don’t do it at the expense of a guy who is here next year and beyond.

 

[SmytheKing]

Some of the fans are looking at Stutzles numbers, compared to Byfields. And Zegres, compared to Turcotte. And are probably thinking that we drafted the wrong guys. But we are going to have to be more patient. Which is hard to do, when you see how well those guys are playing already.

they did draft the wrong guys. Zegras you can kinda give a pass to because after the first 2-3 picks in that draft, it was fairly open to interpretation. I wanted Zegras and Seider but knew they couldn't have both and I didn't want them to reach for Seider. Don't think anyone saw him being this good. Zegras just sounded more "fun" but no one could knock the Turcotte pick.

That said, it's ok to admit we got two pretty lackluster results out of a #2 and a #5 pick. Holding on to hope is fine, but I've made peace with it. QB will be a nice player in the NHL but nowhere near what people still expect of him. Turcotte will be nice too if he can ever stay healthy.

I know folks won't agree with what I've said and I guess we'll know in another couple of years. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[kilowatt]

I don't disagree with you here but I do wonder a bit and curious of your take. If the kids were allowed a longer leash and we ended up with 2 or 3 less wins and because of that and we don't make the playoffs but we're likely set up better for next year. However, we make the playoffs and you can't really replicate these games in the regular season but the young players now know what it's like to play when games matter. Isn't that better?

I guess it depends on whether we think giving the kids more time earlier in the season would prepare them for the lead up to the end of the season and we end up with the same amount of wins. Crystal ball I guess.

I think we can all agree that we're ecstatic about our rookie defensemen and know that that's a huge area of success for our franchise, so in that regard we're doing great.

But we had a lot of rookie forwards play in LA this season, and so far through two playoff games, Kaliyev and Byfield are averaging 10 and 7 minutes per game. We need more from them.

Generally you need three solid lines to win in the playoffs, it's really hard to do it with only two. Unfortunately, that's all we've got.

 

[CowMix]

Same people prematurely calling Byfield a bust probably also complain when prospects have breakout seasons after we trade them.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Same people prematurely calling Byfield a bust probably also complain when prospects have breakout seasons after we trade them.

No one is calling Byfield a bust. Get a grip.

All people are pointing out is that he isn’t off to a fantastic start considering his pedigree and draft position, which is objectively true.

He has every opportunity to still become a good player in this league. He likely will become a good player in this league. But is he the next Kopitar? We’ve seen absolutely nothing to indicate that so far.

 

[johnjm22]

The plan for next year should be to surround Byfield with quality linemates.

Kill 3 birds with one stone:
1) Make the team better by adding quality wingers

2) This simultaneously puts QB in a better position to succeed and develop since he'll have good linemates

3) Allows you to more evenly roll lines since you can't rely on a 35yo Kopitar playing 22min/night


^This is something the Herbys of the world, and the RJs of the world, should both be able to agree on.

 

[CowMix]

No one is calling Byfield a bust. Get a grip.

All people are pointing out is that he isn’t off to a fantastic start considering his pedigree and draft position, which is objectively true.

He has every opportunity to still become a good player in this league. He likely will become a good player in this league. But is he the next Kopitar? We’ve seen absolutely nothing to indicate that so far.

The word bust came up many times in yesterdays post game thread.

Lafrenière is supposed to be a generational talent and many people considered his first season to be a let down. Not every top draft pick makes an immediate impact their first season and Byfield is the youngest of all the players drafted around him. Worrying about him is premature, if he was still in Juniors lighting it up no one would have any concerns about him now.

 

[VainGretzky]

Kings fans Draisaitl looked Meh his 1st season as well, you can see the raw talent in Byfield what you're not seeing right now is experience and confidence that will come shortly

 

[Ollie Weeks]

The plan for next year should be to surround Byfield with quality linemates.

Kill 3 birds with one stone:
1) Make the team better by adding quality wingers

2) This simultaneously puts QB in a better position to succeed and develop since he'll have good linemates

3) Allows you to more evenly roll lines since you can't rely on a 35yo Kopitar playing 22min/night


^This is something the Herbys of the world, and the RJs of the world, should both be able to agree on.

Fiala, Kevin.

He can either drive the corpse of 11, or the chrysalis of 55, and will improve the PP. Replicating this season’s totals will be hard in LA but 60-70 points should be attainable.

 

[King'sPawn]

Sigh...

No, Byfield isn't a bust.
Yes, there are concerns over his development path.

No, advocates on the issue didn't (and don't) expect Byfield to be given top minutes.
Yes, advocates on the issue expected better linemates to insulate him while setting him up to succeed.

No, the Kings development is not a complete disaster.
Yes, they do a very good job developing defensemen and goalies and depth forwards.

Now you're all caught up. Welcome to the past year(s) of arguing.

 

[KINGS17]

The plan for next year should be to surround Byfield with quality linemates.

Kill 3 birds with one stone:
1) Make the team better by adding quality wingers

2) This simultaneously puts QB in a better position to succeed and develop since he'll have good linemates

3) Allows you to more evenly roll lines since you can't rely on a 35yo Kopitar playing 22min/night


^This is something the Herbys of the world, and the RJs of the world, should both be able to agree on.

...so a form of detente?

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Lafreniere is considered a major disappointment right now. He has one of the worst PPGs through first 100gp of any first overall pick ever. He was clearly overrated at the time of his draft.

And Byfield’s stat line through his first 50 is actually worse lol.

It’s not the end of the world to admit we may have made the wrong pick there. And I say that as someone who strongly advocated for QB over Stutzle at the draft. Just check my post history. There’s just something pedestrian about the kid. He’s obviously big and strong and talented, but he doesn’t do anything with it. People act like it’s a foregone conclusion he’ll start to do something with it one day, but I’m not so convinced. Kopitar never shook that demure, floaty side of his game. Difference with Kopitar, though, was that he showed he could be an explosive offensive talent from literally his first professional game.

I just can’t fathom how people aren’t at the very least starting to sweat about this kid. This was the most important draft pick this franchise has made since Doughty and we can’t afford him turning into a glorified Trevor Lewis (no disrespect to TL).

QB still has some time to turn it around, though. The ankle injury was awful timing. But those are the breaks.

 

[KingsCrunch]

QB might or might not be our future but right now with the way he is playing is not the time to decide that.

Put him aside for the playoffs and give him a place to grow in next season. It would be better for him and the team.

Get Velarti in for tomorrows game. He has almost as many points with less than half the games in so far and does not look as lost.

 

[Herby]

The plan for next year should be to surround Byfield with quality linemates.

Kill 3 birds with one stone:
1) Make the team better by adding quality wingers

2) This simultaneously puts QB in a better position to succeed and develop since he'll have good linemates

3) Allows you to more evenly roll lines since you can't rely on a 35yo Kopitar playing 22min/night


^This is something the Herbys of the world, and the RJs of the world, should both be able to agree on.

Yes, and it will be brought up again this summer and the same thing will likely happen as happens every time a 1st liner is rumored to be on the move, no one is going to want to trade any of the higher end prospects for any available 1st liner.

I think you need to trade for someone who can be a fist liner the next year or two with Kopitar and also be one with QB. Let’s be honest here, QB is more PLD than he is Malkin, there is nothing wrong with that, you can win with PLD as your #1 center, you just need great wingers too.

 

[YP44]

The plan for next year should be to surround Byfield with quality linemates.

Kill 3 birds with one stone:
1) Make the team better by adding quality wingers

2) This simultaneously puts QB in a better position to succeed and develop since he'll have good linemates

3) Allows you to more evenly roll lines since you can't rely on a 35yo Kopitar playing 22min/night


^This is something the Herbys of the world, and the RJs of the world, should both be able to agree on.

My hope was the quality wingers would be developing with QB and come up with him. I was getting all horny at that kid line they had for a bit this year

 

[tkb81]

call me crazy .. but i think Q puts up a big game at home today ... my optimism runs high after a pot of coffee