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

[mysterman2]

That pass to Kaliyev at the end… wow. When Byfield finds his game at this level, he’s going to be an absolute beast. The potential is there, and we’re seeing why most reports said that his ceiling is really high. Now it’s just a matter of when he will reach it.

And note- all the scouts said specifically that Byfield was the least NHL ready of the big 3 prospects. The general consensus was he would take the longest to develop but had the highest ceiling due to his size/speed/skating etc etc. Its almost like NHL scouts know a thing or two about prospects...way more than the keyboard experts.

His ability to make those type of passes is impressive- also thought defensively and effectiveness for winning puck battles has improved.

 

[Mats26]

And note- all the scouts said specifically that Byfield was the least NHL ready of the big 3 prospects. The general consensus was he would take the longest to develop but had the highest ceiling due to his size/speed/skating etc etc. Its almost like NHL scouts know a thing or two about prospects...way more than the keyboard experts.

His ability to make those type of passes is impressive- also thought defensively and effectiveness for winning puck battles has improved.

Agreed but it also helps when the kid has a full training camp + preseason with no injuries. We can see he is ready to go. Going to be a fun year with Vilardi to see if they can sustain and elevate each other to become our first set of forward prospects to turn that corner.

 

[TruKingFan]

Agreed but it also helps when the kid has a full training camp + preseason with no injuries. We can see he is ready to go. Going to be a fun year with Vilardi to see if they can sustain and elevate each other to become our first set of forward prospects to turn that corner.

I say Vilardi for sure to placate the doubters (especially Herby) but for QB he’s got some time but I am excited to see these two develop throughout the year.

 

[bmr]

And note- all the scouts said specifically that Byfield was the least NHL ready of the big 3 prospects. The general consensus was he would take the longest to develop but had the highest ceiling due to his size/speed/skating etc etc. Its almost like NHL scouts know a thing or two about prospects...way more than the keyboard experts.

His ability to make those type of passes is impressive- also thought defensively and effectiveness for winning puck battles has improved.

The key for Byfield is going to be confidence and sustaining that type of pressure over the course of the season. If he can do that, he will be an absolute beast and dominate with Vilardi and whoever else you throw on that line.

 

[King'sPawn]

The key for Byfield is going to be confidence and sustaining that type of pressure over the course of the season. If he can do that, he will be an absolute beast and dominate with Vilardi and whoever else you throw on that line.

It's kind of looking like Byfield's MO anyway. He needs time to get a rhythm with the level of play. Happened in the AHL, WJC, and now the NHL

 

[JeanBlanc]

I'm tracking articles with mentions of QB here:
Quinton Byfield at lakings-graph.com

Can anyone recommend other articles that should be added? I'd like to at least get a list going back to pre-draft OHL coverage.

Actually, that's true of any of the Kings prospects.

 

[Mats26]

I say Vilardi for sure to placate the doubters (especially Herby) but for QB he’s got some time but I am excited to see these two develop throughout the year.

The way I see it between the 2, is that there is a 3 year age gap between them. QB (20) in 3 years should be much better than Vilardi is now at 23. So that should be encouraging.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Date	Site	Title
2022-11-06	Pro Hockey Rumors	Los Angeles Kings Loan Quinton Byfield To AHL
2022-11-06	The Athletic	LA Kings Rasmus Kupari stepping up in Quinton Byfields absence
2022-11-06	LA Kings Insider	Kings loan forward Quinton Byfield to AHL-Ontario - LA Kings Insider

 

[Telos]

I feel like Byfield needs an exorcism of everything that he thought worked for him in juniors. Whether it be stick size, that little bunny hop he does all the time, and lackadaisically coasting to the bench. If he had a brain implant with Blake Lizotte, he would be one of the best players in the league. He has the size, skating, and skill to dominate. His frame hasn't filled out yet, but has all the tools to play a Kempe-like game, but even better. He just needs to skate through anything and go. It think it is nearing time for Kings brass to beat it out of him or else he could just wind up a bottom 6 trivia answer.

 

[johnjm22]

I feel like Byfield needs an exorcism of everything that he thought worked for him in juniors. Whether it be stick size, that little bunny hop he does all the time, and lackadaisically coasting to the bench. If he had a brain implant with Blake Lizotte, he would be one of the best players in the league. He has the size, skating, and skill to dominate. His frame hasn't filled out yet, but has all the tools to play a Kempe-like game, but even better. He just needs to skate through anything and go. It think it is nearing time for Kings brass to beat it out of him or else he could just wind up a bottom 6 trivia answer.

I'm not worried about him. I've seen enough to convince me that he's going to be a very good player.

Chances that he turns into an elite player are pretty slim though.

I think a lot of prospects have to learn to play the game fast and be decisive. Vilardi has figured that out. Kupari and Kaliyev are starting to figure it out. But it hasn't clicked for QB yet. A lot of it comes from confidence.

When he's healthy, it will be interesting to see what management does, because Kupari has clearly been the better player.

 

[Telos]

I'm not worried about him. I've seen enough to convince me that he's going to be a very good player.

Chances that he turns into an elite player are pretty slim though.

I think a lot of prospects have to learn to play the game fast and be decisive. Vilardi has figured that out. Kupari and Kaliyev are starting to figure it out. But it hasn't clicked for QB yet. A lot of it comes from confidence.

When he's healthy, it will be interesting to see what management does, because Kupari has clearly been the better player.

I don't disagree with you, I definitely feel that he is or is going to be at least a decent NHL player; however, I am definitely more nervous about how far beyond that his potential extends. It is impossible not to creep into your mind. He probably still has the highest ceiling of the bunch, but I feel the odds he achieves it has definitely decreased a bit. Hoping he figures it all out and gets there. I hope management is all over him during this assignment getting him where he needs to be.

 

[Cianide]

I feel like Byfield needs an exorcism of everything that he thought worked for him in juniors. Whether it be stick size, that little bunny hop he does all the time, and lackadaisically coasting to the bench. If he had a brain implant with Blake Lizotte, he would be one of the best players in the league. He has the size, skating, and skill to dominate. His frame hasn't filled out yet, but has all the tools to play a Kempe-like game, but even better. He just needs to skate through anything and go. It think it is nearing time for Kings brass to beat it out of him or else he could just wind up a bottom 6 trivia answer.

Why don't u give him time. Everyone knew he was a project player to begin with.

 

[Andreas Ferrari]

I wouldn't worry about Byfield, he has plenty of time to reach his potential. Mark Scheifele didn't become a point-a-game centre until he was 24.

​

 

[JeanBlanc]

I wouldn't worry about Byfield, he has plenty of time to reach his potential. Mark Scheifele didn't become a point-a-game centre until he was 24.

​

Gabe Vilardi didn't score 9 goal in 14 games until he was 23!

 

[kings11]

Can anyone confirm the rumor that QB was seen walking around with a cane? Supposedly, he is struggling with this illness and as TM mentioned, he’s lost a lot of weight

Edit: nvm, just saw QB in video from the Fl game and he looks fine

 

[AbsentMojo]

Its clear he's not ready to make an impact at the NHL level quite yet. I think the A is where he belongs this year as his home base - so he gets to play top 6 and PP1 and build confidence. It turns out he is not the high draft pick that translated immediately to the NHL and that isnt a huge deal. Most likely someone will get injured and he'll be back up... but id rather see him working down there.

 

[Statto]

Its clear he's not ready to make an impact at the NHL level quite yet. I think the A is where he belongs this year as his home base - so he gets to play top 6 and PP1 and build confidence. It turns out he is not the high draft pick that translated immediately to the NHL and that isnt a huge deal. Most likely someone will get injured and he'll be back up... but id rather see him working down there.

I think some are forgetting he played pretty well with AI and Vilardi. It was our best line to start the season. He’s been out in the spell the team has played better and his absence has nothing to do with the second and fourth lines picking things up.

Absolutely he should go to the AHL to get back into shape but once he’s physically ready he should play. If Kupari continues to play well then they’ll have to make space. They have to think long term and what’s best for developing these guys.

 

[AbsentMojo]

I think some are forgetting he played pretty well with AI and Vilardi. It was our best line to start the season. He’s been out in the spell the team has played better and his absence has nothing to do with the second and fourth lines picking things up.

Absolutely he should go to the AHL to get back into shape but once he’s physically ready he should play. If Kupari continues to play well then they’ll have to make space. They have to think long term and what’s best for developing these guys.

I hear you. I guess im torn with him playing reduce 3rd line minutes and an occasional sniff of PP2, and no OT vs. getting best player minutes in the O working on all those things. A case can be made for either. I was 100% for him developing with the Kings until recently.. now its 50/50.. I dont think Kupari is helping out enough to warrant making the decision based on who is doing better right now. Its more where can QB develop quickest.

 

[JeanBlanc]

Can anyone confirm the rumor that QB was seen walking around with a cane? Supposedly, he is struggling with this illness and as TM mentioned, he’s lost a lot of weight

Maybe you're conflating the mentions from ... Hockey Royalty (I think) that they saw Alex Iafallo with a crutch with Byfield's illness?

 

[Surf Nutz]

I feel like Byfield needs an exorcism of everything that he thought worked for him in juniors. Whether it be stick size, that little bunny hop he does all the time, and lackadaisically coasting to the bench. If he had a brain implant with Blake Lizotte, he would be one of the best players in the league. He has the size, skating, and skill to dominate. His frame hasn't filled out yet, but has all the tools to play a Kempe-like game, but even better. He just needs to skate through anything and go. It think it is nearing time for Kings brass to beat it out of him or else he could just wind up a bottom 6 trivia answer.

Dont you wanna let him have a beer free and legal first?

 

[Sol]

What’s with these rumors about Byfields health? Could someone do their job and tell us that he’s just got a flu.

 

[All The Kings Men]

Maybe you're conflating the mentions from ... Hockey Royalty (I think) that they saw Alex Iafallo with a crutch with Byfield's illness?

Someone on Hockey Royalty mentioned (on their podcast at least) that they saw Iafallo on crutches.

However I was at the game in question and saw Iafallo and did NOT see crutches. In a recent post game victory video Iafallo can be seen walking without any assistance.

What’s with these rumors about Byfields health? Could someone do their job and tell us that he’s just got a flu.

He was on the ice with the Kings. Now he's on the ice with Ontario.

He's fine.

McLellan told us he lost some weight and needs some time to get his strength and timing back.

Be upset with how his development is being handled if you like or if he should or shouldn't have been assigned but nobody should lose any sleep over his health.

 

[Surf Nutz]

What’s with these rumors about Byfields health? Could someone do their job and tell us that he’s just got a flu.

It would be interesting to do a player performance/health study pre and post covid era. Including illnesses, diagnosis, forms of prevention and treatment.

 

[Telos]

Why don't u give him time. Everyone knew he was a project player to begin with.

Dont you wanna let him have a beer free and legal first?

I didn't mean to give the impression that I am impatient as if we even have a choice with Byfield. Only that Byfield needs to outgrow some habits that are a bit more glaring than most prospects and I hope the Kings are aggressive in their development of him rather than passive. LA's recent prospects have not had the same trajectory as most in the league, they are actually mostly the outliers. If they can do that consistently, good for them, but in the end, he is a top prospect in the league and needs to take some steps to put himself in a position to be a top player on the team. I merely hope that instead of letting him figure things out like his first stint or two, they are more hands-on in showing what he needs to do. He has weapons no one on the team has and he is the only one with the potential or skillset to replace Kopitar. Just hoping and naturally concerned about them successfully guiding him to putting it all together as anyone.

 

[Sol]

Someone on Hockey Royalty mentioned (on their podcast at least) that they saw Iafallo on crutches.

However I was at the game in question and saw Iafallo and did NOT see crutches. In a recent post game victory video Iafallo can be seen walking without any assistance.


He was on the ice with the Kings. Now he's on the ice with Ontario.

He's fine.

McLellan told us he lost some weight and needs some time to get his strength and timing back.

Be upset with how his development is being handled if you like or if he should or shouldn't have been assigned but nobody should lose any sleep over his health.

Good to know he’s healthy