What’s up with Byfield?

[Drake1588]

Well, the nagging injuries certainly don't help. In part, there's also a similar bottleneck to that which impacted Dubois last year (a good player who is back to having an excellent season in Washington, given ice time and opportunity).

Kopitar is expected to precipitously decline-- but against all reason, he hasn't declined at all. He still looks great and has earned a ton of ice time in all situations. Danault remains an excellent Selke-caliber forward and can shoulder a lot of two-way responsibilities as well. Neither guy ever gets injured, either. Developing a young center amid so much center depth, it can be tough to find the opportunities unless someone plays out of position. The Kings' vets at the position suck up all the oxygen in the room. It's a good problem to have, but it is a problem.

 

[nbwingsfan]

So out of towners looking at stats pat themselves on the back about nonsense? Must be a Byfield thread.

Dude is playing just fine, but there is clearly something wrong with one of or both of his wrists. He had the same problem two years ago. Everything he does is right, but he has absolutely no touch on the puck right now. He is pushing it forward and to teammates, his shots are just thrown at the net. Watch him tonight, right place right time, just no feel for the puck. His confidence is down as well which has affected his judgement at times.

He is still generating tons of chances, he is a top penalty killer, just having a really, really hard time getting the puck to go where he wants it. He isn't stick handling as much as shoveling pucks around.

There are Kings fans themselves in here stating it was a bad pick but nice try.

 

[kingsholygrail]

He was legit playing very solid hockey last year. It wasn't just linemates.

He also wasn't playing center.

 

[johnjm22]

He also wasn't playing center.

I don't think it has much to do with that. Even when he's played wing this year he's looked the same.

He's playing the worst hockey I've ever seen him play.

 

[Rorschach]

This will be Byfield's 5th year of just trying to be a everyday second line center. MacKinnon took four long years to emerge. Meanwhile, Stutzle was a franchise center in his third season.

 

[Osprey]

One of the main things holding him back is his shooting, IMO. He has the size, speed and tenacity to get opportunities every game, but he shoots the puck right into the goalie every single time. He's incapable of sniping anything past them and also doesn't have enough creativity to deke them or even just change the angle of his shot. His shots must be very predictable for goalies. The only times that he fools them is when he neglects to take the shot and makes a pass, instead. Since he can't rely on his shooting to score, his linemates really matter. He played 3/4ths of last season with Kopitar and Kempe, and those two were capable of creating rebounds and getting him the puck in positions where he couldn't miss the net. He doesn't have that luxury this year and, instead, he's expected to be the one carrying his line and he just isn't. He can be a good complement to a star player or two, but is a long way from being that star player that others complement.

 

[Kudelski37]

Last year he had better line mates. So it was sort of a fake mini breakout.

Idk ive always been down on him. Will never be an elite player IMO.

Of course on my own team we have a guy Strome who was drafted 3rd overall then sucked for years and is now finally becoming an elite player, 9 years later. So you never know.

Byfield was easily the Kings best player for most of last season. He drove that line. His pp and even strength time has dropped this year while playing much more pk time. When I checked earlier this week he had a lower o zone start percentage than offensive juggernaut Trevor Lewis. A bad start and being used in a more defensive role have hampered scoring while adjusting to a new position, linemates, and new system. Expect much better play by Christmas.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

Put him back with double AK. It may be as simple as more comfortable (and productive) in a shotgun role.

 

[895]

Byfield was easily the Kings best player for most of last season. He drove that line. His pp and even strength time has dropped this year while playing much more pk time. When I checked earlier this week he had a lower o zone start percentage than offensive juggernaut Trevor Lewis. A bad start and being used in a more defensive role have hampered scoring while adjusting to a new position, linemates, and new system. Expect much better play by Christmas.