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

[King'sPawn]

So let me get this straight...LA is NOT putting young players in 'multiple big roles'?

In the way the above have? No. Anderson and Durzi get plenty of time and special teams. Byfield gets put on Kopitar's line but left off special teams. Kaliyev gets secondary powerplay time and a tertiary role at even strength.

This has been said multiple times that the Kings don't treat the forwards the same as defense. But you've been too busy trying to think of your next trolling line instead of actually having a discussion.

 

[kenito7]

If Byfield isn't a #1C then this entire rebuild is a flop. At that point unless a miracle happens (like signing a #1C or Pinelli coming out of nowhere or some equally unlikely shit) they should probably move anyone and everyone of value and try again under a different staff.

Also, using all four #2, #5, #11 and #20 picks to draft a center in four consecutive years and failing to get a #1 C out of that is inexcusable. It's hard to draft a #1C, everyone knows that but that isn't good enough to win. The Kings could have walked away with Stutzle and Seider. Incidentally, the two players selected right after Byfield and Turcotte.

Since 2017 when Viliardi was drafted I count 3 legit 1c (Hischier, Petterson and Hughes) and none of them were available when the Kings drafted. Hard to draft something that rarely comes along. You can make a case that others could have been drafted other than Byfield or Turcotte but what 1c did the Kings miss on. Byfield is one of the few that seems to have a chance to become a 1c even though I am skeptical of him reaching that level.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Kings fans have a shit ton of high hopes locked into QB and Clarke being the heir apparents to Kopitar and Doughty.

Cause if they’re not, where do the cups come from? Guess it’s really up to Danault, Moore, Anderson and Lizotte.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

In the way the above have? No. Anderson and Durzi get plenty of time and special teams. Byfield gets put on Kopitar's line but left off special teams. Kaliyev gets secondary powerplay time and a tertiary role at even strength.

This has been said multiple times that the Kings don't treat the forwards the same as defense. But you've been too busy trying to think of your next trolling line instead of actually having a discussion.

Boo hoo for f***ing Byfield -- remember when he was playing in Ontario, remember all the tears flowing then from you guys? Now he gets 15 minutes a night, PLAYING ON THE TOP LINE, producing nothing, but yet the evil head coach keeps playing him there.

Maybe if he started putting some points on the board, he'd get some PP time....then what ya gonna bitch about?

 

[Schrute farms]

Hahaha, Axl showing his hand yet again. Don’t you dare say anything about coach TM. Let’s blame the players though and bad mouth them. That’s ok to do. But not holy TM.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Hahaha, Axl showing his hand yet again. Don’t you dare say anything about coach TM. Let’s blame the players though and bad mouth them. That’s ok to do. But not holy TM.

I have no problem criticizing the coach when it’s warranted. Dumb f***ing move starting Quick the other night…however, I also say that knowing full well that I really have no idea what is behind that decision. Maybe there was a reason we are not privy to, but if the reason was some type of thinking that ‘Quick is back’….bad idea.

Now let’s get back to you guys crying over Byfield on the PP despite the fact that he’s given little reason why he should have PP time let alone being on the top line night after might. Forget about Vilardi and Kaliyev being regulars on the PP, we only want to talk about the players who are NOT there.

 

[NikF]

Since 2017 when Viliardi was drafted I count 3 legit 1c (Hischier, Petterson and Hughes) and none of them were available when the Kings drafted. Hard to draft something that rarely comes along. You can make a case that others could have been drafted other than Byfield or Turcotte but what 1c did the Kings miss on. Byfield is one of the few that seems to have a chance to become a 1c even though I am skeptical of him reaching that level.

The point is, if you use all those picks including two top 5 picks on centers, you better walk away with one 1C. If there is no 1C available, then draft something else. I am pretty sure they drafted Byfield, Turcotte and Vilardi as having at least some potential to be 1C. If I had to guess Byfield and Vilardi moreso while Turcotte was a unique character player that was perhaps more limited upside-wise than the other two. If none turn out that way, then that was a mistake. Stutzle might be a 1C and he was available at their spot too. I don't blame the Kings for drafting the way they did, but the results (so far) with their center picks haven't been there really.

 

[Brownie to Pancakes]

If the issue is "byfield isn't producing," then keeping him off the power play is a great way to make it worse. He should take Phil or AI's spot on the second unit to try and get going, after all they aren't producing shit either

 

[Docgonzo]

QB actually needs to shoot a little more but since he’s young and playing with Kopitar and Kempe he defers a lot more. i think his IQ is good, he creates havoc on the forcheck with his size and speed and he's has some really slick passes. He just needs to be more assertive and shoot.

 

[kilowatt]

The point is, if you use all those picks including two top 5 picks on centers, you better walk away with one 1C. If there is no 1C available, then draft something else. I am pretty sure they drafted Byfield, Turcotte and Vilardi as having at least some potential to be 1C. If I had to guess Byfield and Vilardi moreso while Turcotte was a unique character player that was perhaps more limited upside-wise than the other two. If none turn out that way, then that was a mistake. Stutzle might be a 1C and he was available at their spot too. I don't blame the Kings for drafting the way they did, but the results (so far) with their center picks haven't been there really.

I don’t want to really shift the narrative here but Byfield and Vilardi haven’t had opportunities to play 1C. Vilardi sort of played 2C for a bit in his rookie year, but never got that opportunity again. Byfield was part of our best line early in the season with Iafallo and Vilardi on his wings. I wonder if it’s time to reunite them for a bit with the trade deadline looming? If not, we don’t have a 3C heading into the playoffs, which is a problem.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

If the issue is "byfield isn't producing," then keeping him off the power play is a great way to make it worse. He should take Phil or AI's spot on the second unit to try and get going, after all they aren't producing shit either

This group who hasn’t produced ‘shit’ has the 3rd best PP in the league…and they’ve managed to do it without QB.

You guys need to work harder at this.

 

[FSL KINGS]

Kempe doesn't pass, Kopi is hard to play with. Just wait for Fiala, Byfield, Vilardi.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kings fans have a shit ton of high hopes locked into QB and Clarke being the heir apparents to Kopitar and Doughty.

Cause if they’re not, where do the cups come from? Guess it’s really up to Danault, Moore, Anderson and Lizotte.

well, if that's the expectation, they're doomed.

Very very little chance either guy even has 80% of the career of the aforementioned 2. Clarke might put up more points though.

The point is, if you use all those picks including two top 5 picks on centers, you better walk away with one 1C. If there is no 1C available, then draft something else. I am pretty sure they drafted Byfield, Turcotte and Vilardi as having at least some potential to be 1C. If I had to guess Byfield and Vilardi moreso while Turcotte was a unique character player that was perhaps more limited upside-wise than the other two. If none turn out that way, then that was a mistake. Stutzle might be a 1C and he was available at their spot too. I don't blame the Kings for drafting the way they did, but the results (so far) with their center picks haven't been there really.

The Kings have clearly subscribed to shortstop theory, for better or for worse. Just draft all Cs and they can convert to Ws...or so they say.

 

[Jungle Boy]

Kings fans have a shit ton of high hopes locked into QB and Clarke being the heir apparents to Kopitar and Doughty.

Cause if they’re not, where do the cups come from? Guess it’s really up to Danault, Moore, Anderson and Lizotte.

Back to the late 90s

 

[ru4reals]

Another secondary assist today. Just not gonna cut it.

 

[JungleBeat]

Fire Todd Mac and watch him flourish

 

[Fishhead]

Fire Todd Mac and watch him flourish

Well, most other guys have flourished and had career years under TM. It came out of nowhere with Moore. Kopitar looks like he's in his 20's. Danault obliterated his previous numbers. Look what Vilardi's turned into.

TM has some shortcomings, but getting players to score isn't one of them.

 

[Fishhead]

well, if that's the expectation, they're doomed.

Very very little chance either guy even has 80% of the career of the aforementioned 2. Clarke might put up more points though.



The Kings have clearly subscribed to shortstop theory, for better or for worse. Just draft all Cs and they can convert to Ws...or so they say.

Yeah, the expectation that top picks can replace them is a pretty high bar. Not just top picks, but how many draft picks since 2017 might have a good of career as Kopitar? It's hard to find one. There have been a few great D men who can hang with DD - Makar, Dahlin, Hughes maybe. Even Seider. But do any of them have as well-rounded of a game that Drew had? Expecting anything like those two is just setting up disappointment, so if it happens it will be a wonderful thing.

I don't think the Kings were drafting C's for any particular reason, for whatever reason those have been the BPA on their lists. Everyone knows they wanted Byram badly and would have taken him over Turcotte.

2017 - 4 - took Vilardi
2018 - 9 - took Kupari
2019 - 9 - took Turcotte
2020 - 12 - took Byfield
2021 - 11 - took Clarke
2022 - 13 - no pick

Wingers make up about 31% of first rounders, but make up 40% of rosters. They just aren't as common. Until the last few years it was even lower than that. From 2017-2020 when the Kings took 4 straight centers, only 34 out of 124 first-rounders were wingers. That said, it's plain as day this organization loves guys who can play down the middle.

 

[Statto]

QB actually needs to shoot a little more but since he’s young and playing with Kopitar and Kempe he defers a lot more. i think his IQ is good, he creates havoc on the forcheck with his size and speed and he's has some really slick passes. He just needs to be more assertive and shoot.

His IQ is fine, he’s learning fine and has improved his 2 way game, he’s adapted to wing and every now and then makes a great high IQ play. As you say once he stops deferring and starts to feel completely confident he will take another step or three. He’s always shown he needs time to adjust and has always successfully done so, at the NHL level you’d expect it take longer. It’s more about him feeling relaxed and confident, not his IQ. The IQ thing is lazy assessment if you ask me.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

His IQ is fine, he’s learning fine and has improved his 2 way game, he’s adapted to wing and every now and then makes a great high IQ play. As you say once he stops deferring and starts to feel completely confident he will take another step or three. He’s always shown he needs time to adjust and has always successfully done so, at the NHL level you’d expect it take longer. It’s more about him feeling relaxed and confident, not his IQ. The IQ thing is lazy assessment if you ask me.

I don't know how anyone can watch even a single game and complain about the IQ issues with all the saavy little passes he makes with Kopitar. No one else on the roster except maybe Fiala has the hands/brain combo for some of those that happen several tiems a game.

Yes, he bricks plays trying things sometime. You would think people that are complaining that they'd prefer Stutzle et. al. would realize he does the same with great frequency even now, never mind his first full year in the fire. It's part of the process and I'm glad they're finally letting him learn it on the job. He seems to absorb the info/feedback from opponents about what works and what doesn't like a sponge, even more than I thought he would. He rarely does the same stupid thing twice.

 

[Surf Nutz]

QB has been up and down lately but Kopi is on fire so you don't mess with it.
Definitely no IQ problem, ironic that came from posters on this board.

 

[Eagle Fang]

I don't see what the big deal is. Byfield hasn't even played the equivalent of 1 full NHL season yet. Look at handsome, superstar Kevin Fiala's numbers early in his career. Took him almost 200 games before he got going and didn't really breakout until last season.

 

[Sol]

I think the legit knock on Byfield right now is that he can’t seem to bury the puck ever. His shot looks weak which is weird.

Pros: his skating is decent
He’s making pretty good plays
He looks more comfortable

Cons: his game pretty much stops at “byfield made some good plays”. There’s nothing more than that you can say. I think I’m a bit impatient with his lack of execution. I’m not seeing any execution at all with him. There’s things to like about his game right now and he has improved. Just there’s some glaring issues in his game that makes him look pretty one dimensional so far. He just makes good small little plays and that’s about it. That’s pretty underwhelming. Hopefully he really figures the important part of the game out soon.

 

[AbsentMojo]

He's coming along gradually. His overall NHL game is much better in terms of forecheck, back checking, being responsible on D (although last game he was severely out of position on one goal). He has not put it all together to be a scoring threat.. I guess thats what surprises me..im going to come back to his age.. 20.5 is still very young. I wont start to get concerned until mid next season. Its tough when you see guys like Dawson Mercer (same draft mid 1st round) who look great against us last week put up 9G 5A in his last 7 games...

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Maybe if they find that kid again, the little Quinton Byfield and bring his family out to a game again and little Quinton Byfield tells Quinton on a live pregame interview "I brought my hat tonight and can't wait to throw it on the ice, after you score your third goal...but will I get my hat back?"
That may be the ticket. QB will be moved to shoot the puck much more and perhaps bury one or two.