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

[Statto]

The areas Byfield needs to improve on are quite obvious. His strength and shot are two aspects of his game that need to reach another level. His passing, skating, and vision are exactly why the top line is benefitting so much, and Kopitar is shooting a lot more than he has in the past. Now it's Byfield who tends to defer to his linemates, rather than Kopitar.

He'll learn, and he'll keep getting better.

I fundamentally agree but completely agree that both will come good. Once he gets full belief in his shot again he will be fine. He isn’t releasing as quickly as I’ve seen (both AHL and OHL) and he seems to be trying to just get it on net rather than pick corners.

The whole thing about scoring off the rush in junior is overstated. Sure if you look at the recycled predraft videos most of those were off the rush but if you dug a bit deeper and found whole games it was far from the only way he scored. Same with the IQ rubbish, last night was another ‘low IQ‘ play finding the open guy with ‘low’ skill rather than taking a low percentage shot.

I said whilst he was in the AHL that he’s a guy that needs to feel loved and feel trusted (even if he isn’t). Putting him at LW1 has done that and since that time he’s had significant growth in his game. He’s now in the right situation, which I and other have said he needed all along. In terms of days/months of development his young draft age and effectively a loss of approximately a year (injury and illness) can’t be ignored at this stage (different if he was 23/4). I’m not worried and still happy with the pick, albeit not enamoured with the development choices - even if it’s too soon to draw conclusions.

 

[King'sPawn]

The whole thing about scoring off the rush in junior is overstated. Sure if you look at the recycled predraft videos most of those were off the rush but if you dug a bit deeper and found whole games it was far from the only way he scored. Same with the IQ rubbish, last night was another ‘low IQ‘ play finding the open guy with ‘low’ skill rather than taking a low percentage shot.

Agree about scoring off the rush being overstated. I wonder how many of those who complain about "only scoring off the rush" actually watch junior level games. I rarely rarely see players score out of sheer will, or battling in front of the net, or from a structured cycle. Most goals are from shots that get tipped, transition goals from giveaways, and goals on the rush.

 

[Statto]

Agree about scoring off the rush being overstated. I wonder how many of those who complain about "only scoring off the rush" actually watch junior level games. I rarely rarely see players score out of sheer will, or battling in front of the net, or from a structured cycle. Most goals are from shots that get tipped, transition goals from giveaways, and goals on the rush.

Lol. You quoted me before I fixed my typo (the one I’ve seen anyway)… the internet never forgets.

 

[BigKing]

I was thinking about the personality side of it too....I know often we talk about his 'assertiveness' or 'confidence' or whatever but its' pretty clear he's comfortable taking the bull by the horns to make plays. Surely eventually the shot will come...but in reflection, looking at all his past roles, I'm wondering if it's less 'passiveness' or whatever and more that good ol' Team Canada buy-in to just being a good teammate--and with the Kings, the checking detail. Remember in his WJC role he was the checking line guy with plugs and it's like he took that and 'whatever it takes to win' to the level of he was so focused on playing elite defense for the team...here, He's so deferential to both Kopitar and Kempe and I don't really expect that to change. Even when he was with Vilardi, it was a game of get Gabe the puck. In Sudbury, he was the guy, the triggerman. Maybe he's never that in the NHL when he's surrounded by shooters but one of his draft perks was being a dual threat, shot and playmaker. So while I'm sure he'll grow into it to some degree, it's possible he's more of a Getzlaf pass-first-second-and-third type than a 40-40 guy.

It's funny...I've been the one preaching his deferential nature since watching that WJC and I've been thinking the past week or so about a Getzlaf comp sans the toughness.

 

[King'sPawn]

Lol. You quoted me before I fixed my typo (the one I’ve seen anyway)… the internet never forgets.

I fixed it for you. Unless someone took a screenshot or has the audit logs for HF, nobody will ever know what you actually wrote

 

[Herby]

BTW, i also don't understand why some posters need to call someone else out from a post that had no involvement to that other poster. Like why even mention Herby and go on & on about him and calling him out negatively. Isn't that baiting and trolling? I don't understand the point of doing that -- it should not a part of this board (imho).

You are trying to rationalize with someone who has the IQ of a garden snail. Someone who literally goes around tagging people in posts and claiming they said things they never said and has called numerous longtime posters on this forum fans of division rivals because they disagree with his views on the team.

This person and a couple others like him don’t like to have intelligent discussions on the team with people who may have different views, they like to troll and flame posters that don’t share their opinions. It’s like being on a college campus again.

It’s a ridiculously sad and pathetic existence and a drag on the community as a whole. Just enjoy the many great people and hockey minds on here who are capable of acting like adults and having adult discussions with people, whether they agree with them or not. You and I don’t agree on everything, RJ and I don’t agree on everything, we disagree on a lot. But I still learn a lot on this forum from him and others, whether it’s someone like Statto who has worked in the hockey world or someone who has a first hand chance to regularly see prospects in Ontario or someone like a Chazz who contributes significant advanced metrics. I hope people feel like I contribute on having the opportunity to regularly see Kings and other prospects in the upper Midwest, if that helps someone learn something on a prospect that’s great, if they think I am clueless that is fine too. And we can present our facts and opinions like adults and show a level of respect for each other as Kings fans even if we disagree on something. Sadly for some people that is not possible. You are not the first one to call out his immaturity, and he just doesn’t care. And there is no moderation to stop it (which is actually fine by me).

 

[ru4reals]

This has been a pretty good read. Great takes all around folks. Yeah stutzle is already a great player. But I've always been a patient person when it comes to prospects. Not everyone develops Like McJesus, Crosby, Ovechkin, Matthews. Heck even Kopi. Them dudes are just different.

But for now I'm just going to enjoy the man-child play and pass to Kopi, the elite vision assist to Mikey, and world-class Kopi lob to Kempe, and that filth he gave Anze the other day hot damn. And can't forget the High IQ, genius idea of purposely getting a delay of game penalty so he can show off his accuracy on his empty-netter. Also doing the little things playing good defense hustling back breaking up plays. Yes he's had his stinkers and bad games not going to sugar coat that, need to be stronger and work on his shot no doubt about it. But baby steps. I think Byfield will be okay.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

With TMac as the gatekeeper Stutzle would have gone to Ontario, developed better NHL fundamentals and understanding , make much less mistakes and have much lower offensive stats. He would have been resigned to a much cheaper bridge deal and been playing in place of Byfield. Which might not be a good thing with our number one line being our most consistent propellant recently.
The fresh perspective is much appreciated these guys are in a bunker, waging a war from their positions

I can not agree or disagree with how stutzle would have panned out as a King, as we will never really be able to know. It is all speculation.

What I can say definitely is the Kings are putting effort into Byfield's development. The position change and the bump to a higher line. I also think Byfield would have gotten more minutes sooner had he not had health set backs.

Speculatively, in the had they taken Stü perspective, they may have had him in the AHL his first season. However, given the adjustment he needed to make to North American ice and play style, there is a chance a year in the AHL may have actually been good for his development. After that it is more difficult to speculate. Would Stu be as effective if he remained on the Wing? Would he have earned powerplay time if he showed talent, growth, and his play style was suited to it? I truly have no idea.

Sometimes it's fun to speculate, sometimes it only brings further speculation. Ultimately I think the kings took a player who is developing into the high quality player they expected so it seems like it all worked out.

This could be fun speculation, so I will ask. Do you guys think Stutzle's success at all impacted kings approach to developing Byfield? Like could the kings organization could have seen Stu's success and says we should try a more similar approach with our high end talent? Or was the position change/line bump linked solely to earning the minutes and a need at the wing?Either way it has been great for Byfield, so I think it is fun speculation

Also as to the question of "when" Byfield is the certified top line player. Just personal speculation, but I think 2 seasons. With next season seeing him taking a large step forward. Not quite dominant, but an increase in production an responsibility. The season after next I think he takes another step and becomes their top guy. If I'm wrong and it is sooner sweet. If it is 2, I think that is still good also

 

[lumbergh]

Also as to the question of "when" Byfield is the certified top line player. Just personal speculation, but I think 2 seasons. With next season seeing him taking a large step forward. Not quite dominant, but an increase in production an responsibility. The season after next I think he takes another step and becomes their top guy. If I'm wrong and it is sooner sweet. If it is 2, I think that is still good also

give me a Fiala-Byfield-Vilardi line and we’ll find out the answer very very soon.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

give me a Fiala-Byfield-Vilardi line and we’ll find out the answer very very soon.

Unfortunately, I do not have the ability to give that. I do understand the sentiment though

 

[johnjm22]

If you move Byfield to center next year, I'd like to seem him in the 2nd line spot with Fiala & Vilardi. It puts Danault and Lizotte in their natural 3rd and 4th line center positions.

Moore can actually fulfil the role on the top line Byfield is fulfilling right now.

Moore-Kopitar-Kempe
Fiala-Byfield-Vilardi
xxx-Danault-xxx
xxx-Lizotte-xxxx

Kupari playing center has been good for his development, but nothing wrong with having him play wing. You pair him with better linemates and he can focus on developing his offensive game. I wouldn't mind trying him on the top line honestly.

 

[bmr]

The whole crowd would have gone nuts if Byfield scored on that play when he took the puck all the way up the ice. That is the kind of stuff I hope we see more of. The dude just has amazing talent at his size. Needs to keep believing.

 

[JeanBlanc]

The whole crowd would have gone nuts if Byfield scored on that play when he took the puck all the way up the ice. That is the kind of stuff I hope we see more of. The dude just has amazing talent at his size. Needs to keep believing.

My first thought was how he aggressively came through the center as the natural outlet for the first pass from the defense. That was one complaint I read in the Byfield threads.

The other thought was after the reverse hit on ... Pettersson maybe in the offensive zone. Good to see him take these steps and get top line minutes.

 

[tny760]

My first thought was how he aggressively came through the center as the natural outlet for the first pass from the defense. That was one complaint I read in the Byfield threads.

The other thought was after the reverse hit on ... Pettersson maybe in the offensive zone. Good to see him take these steps and get top line minutes.

that shift against pettersson was a beauty, dancing on him at the other corner then drags him over there and lays him up with that reverse hit

i think he's figuring things out, there's been a clear growth pattern in his game and i'm not sure there's been more than one game where it seemed like he wasn't effective

 

[kevsh]

Glad to see he's progressing but on a 6-goal pace over 82 games, especially considering he's locked onto Anze's wing is concerning.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Glad to see he's progressing but on a 6-goal pace over 82 games, especially considering he's locked onto Anze's wing is concerning.

I think that’s partly due to him being so concerned with getting the puck to Kempe/Kopitar…he needs to put some of that focus on shooting. Also, I’m not seeing his linemates setting him up in the same way he’s doing to them.

 

[cyclones22]

The interesting thing is he had much more of a shooter's mentality and scoring goals in the AHL. But on the Kings first line, he's been the chief playmaker. I'm not worried about his shooting. He's just not trying to make mistakes and stay on that line on a top team. Kempe and Kopi have absolutely exploded in goal scoring since QB joined them. QB has been good to elite in most categories other than shooting the puck. It'll come with gaining the coaches trust and strength.

 

[Reaper45]

I’d be ok with him turning into an Adam Oates like playmaker at his size and speed. 10-15 goals but 60-70 assists?

 

[LAKings88]

I’ve said for a couple years now that he is more of a facilitator.

 

[bmr]

I’ve said for a couple years now that he is more of a facilitator.

He has a great shot - didn't he change his stick awhile back? I think he's too talented not to start scoring once he gains additional confidence and pots a few. Scary for the league if he is just scratching the surface at 20 years old.

Kopi was definitely kicking himself for not scoring on that play that Byfield set up for him. After watching the replay, it looked very makeable. Would have been a 3 assist night for him.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

He's doubled his PPG% from last year -- and has better PPG% than Lafreniere. That means either way, Byfield was meant to go 2OA -- Blake is a genius.

 

[johnjm22]

 

[Statto]

He's doubled his PPG% from last year -- and has better PPG% than Lafreniere. That means either way, Byfield was meant to go 2OA -- Blake is a genius.

PPG isn’t a percentage… sorry I’m a pedantic twat over that stuff.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

PPG isn’t a percentage… sorry I’m a pedantic twat over that stuff.

Fine, but I think you know what I mean.

 

[Lt Dan]

Unfortunately, I do not have the ability to give that. I do understand the sentiment though

Not with that attitude. Anything it possible if you Believe