Prospect Info: Who does LA pick #2? Part 2 To Byfield or to Stutzle? That is the question

[SFKingshomer]

I'm just saying we don't know if they view Byfield and Stutzle on a different tier than Drysdale or others? I still think it will be Byfield because his potential is too good to pass up.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Didn't we learn the lesson not to draft for need already? Want to see them repeat another Thomas Hickey like reach at #2?

It was a question, not who I think they should draft. With this staff, I have no idea what they're thinking.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I'm just saying we don't know if they view Byfield and Stutzle on a different tier than Drysdale or others? I still think it will be Byfield because his potential is too good to pass up.

Yannetti has pretty much come out and said in interviews it's a two-horse race. I think it's a safe assumption as to who those two are: Jake Sanderson and Braden Schneider.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm just saying we don't know if they view Byfield and Stutzle on a different tier than Drysdale or others? I still think it will be Byfield because his potential is too good to pass up.

I really like Drysdale and think he's a Duncan Keith - lite but the forward talent at the top is just too much, I can't imagine Drysdale is in the same tier as Laf/Byfield Stutzle and frankly I'd have a hard time taking him over Raymond too

We DONT know but the consensus rankings have several players higher so this would be a trade down situation if so...but trading out of possibly transformative forward picks when the biggest consistent need has been blue chip offensive talent is tough.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

Strudel,Stutzle same difference...want to bet his nickname becomes Strudel,lol

I personally see his nick name going to Stoots. When he starts snapping it will not be long till a lot of T-Shirts with the phrase "He Stoots, he scores". Or if you like hockey movies
"Pass, Stoot, and Score" - Stoots
"Pass" - OTT/LA player
"Stoot" -Stoots
"And Score"- OTT/LA player

Disney permitting, I prefer the latter. Regardless I'm kind of hoping LA takes Byfield just to make the fan base happy. Also it would be sick if Ottawa can scoop Stutzle with the 3rd and his team Germany linemate JJP with the Isles pick.

Power to the Byfield pick I want your fanbase to be happy. I think Ottawa offers him a development route or fit that gives him a better path to hit his ceiling. I think Byfield could go to Ottawa instantly and play the role of "the guy". He might not put up a ton of points year 1 but he would get the role. Brady and Byfield would likely have a positive impact each others development. I think LA will need to send Byfield back to the O which is fine for his development, probably even better for it, but the kings will have to restructure so Byfield can come in as "the guy" with players that complement his style.

 

[Statto]

No. At #2 he better be Doughty/Hedman level, 2 other #2 overall picks. Franchise defensemen. I don't see that level of talent. And Doughty is still on the team. I'm more confident Byfield becomes a franchise center than Drysdale becomes a number 1 defenseman.

Agreed Drysdale may be the number 1 D in the draft but he’s not a lock as a no1 Defenceman and nor does anyone think he has Elite upside. No one is taking him ahead of Byfield or Stützle unless they want a new job.

 

[KopitarFAN]

The Byfield thread on the mainboard is absolutely toxic. 36 days to go...

 

[MrGuyPerson]

This is 100% speculation, but I do want to know what you guys think.

I listened to a ton of kings podcasts recently and your media certainly prefers Byfield along with fans. So I hope he works out for you guys. I also think that Ottawa's front office has a strong preference for Byfield because he really would fit perfect, but if the kings don't have a crazy strong preference(or prefer the player they know Ottawa does not) they could hustle Ottawa into a swap 2nd overall for 3rd overall swap plus a lot more draft capital(like the isles 1st rounder + more). I think Yannetti might be one of best deep pick evaluators in the league so you would just be nasty.

One thing I am conspiracy theorying out on is how the kings management view Byfield. Your management from Luc to Blake to Yannetti all specify they are looking for the right player and expect the rebuild to be over after free agency(Byfield will not be NHL ready by then). They want a player with a mindset of champion, competitive, obviously a leader, but what I seemed to hear the most was willing to do anything to help the team win. Yannetti even said you, "often times a players game on ice reflects their personality off it". I think he said something about seeing it in their eyes as well, might have been Luc who said that though. Essentially they describe an adult or vet in an 18 year olds body. Now I cross compare everything they say with what scouts, players, and other commentators have said already. Akil Thomas on a kings pod cast said of Byfield "He's funny. One of the funniest kids I have ever met. It's kind of like he's a 12 year old in an 18 year olds body"(side note Akil also fits the described mindset adult in boys body). One of the commentators of the CHL prospect game who's name I don't feel like looking up just to spell correctly says "He's just kind of like an, 'awww shucks' kind of kid". Then you look at what these people say about Stutzle. "He has the mind of predator on ice. He always wants to make a difference in the game". Goc in the one podcast "said he gets hard on himself when he makes mistakes", that tells me the kid wants to win so bad that when he fails he feels like he is letting the team down. Last one of Stutzle, "He makes every player around him better".

Now it might just be me, but from the accounts of what management says they want and the descriptions from people that have been around them. From descriptions it really does not sound like his Byfield is the personality the Kings management are looking for. Like Yannetti said it in a podcast, "They are all good kids, rarely is there ever a bad kid, but it's really about finding THE kid".

Do you guys think their is any chance your the Kings brass want to hustle Ottawa into giving up way more?

 

[Lt Dan]

One thing I am conspiracy theorying out on is how the kings management view Byfield. Your management from Luc to Blake to Yannetti all specify they are looking for the right player and expect the rebuild to be over after free agency.

I have never heard anyone who works for the Kings say anything close to the bolded portion

Do you guys think their is any chance your the Kings brass want to hustle Ottawa into giving up way more?

I think the only way the Kings don't take Byfield is if he somehow goes #1.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

I have never heard anyone who works for the Kings say anything close to the bolded portion



I think the only way the Kings don't take Byfield is if he somehow goes #1.
The Kings are pretty much obligated to take him

I heard them say they expect to compete next year. They said they expect this year to be the last time they get a draft pick this high and also they expect to not have this much draft capital again going forward as this year is the last time it will be necessary. It was on a podcast from this summer I don't remember which one but I can tell you it was either the the one with Rob Blake, Luc and/or Yannetti. And it was closer to right after the lottery

 

[MrGuyPerson]

I heard them say they expect to compete next year. They said they expect this year to be the last time they get a draft pick this high and also they expect to not have this much draft capital again going forward as this year is the last time it will be necessary. It was on a podcast from this summer I don't remember which one but I can tell you it was either the the one with Rob Blake, Luc and/or Yannetti. And it was closer to right after the lottery

It might have been Nelson Emerson, but it was on a Kings podcast

 

[Lt Dan]

Compete to me for the Kings is to scratch at a playoff spot.

We have a few mental patients here like every other team, but I think even the craziest don't expect us to make the playoffs this year.
It would take multiple players have Hart trophy level years and epic fails on the part of at least 5 other Western conference teams

The Kings probable highest finish is 10th in the conference.
Realistically it probably around 12th or 13th

 

[Reaper45]

I heard them say they expect to compete next year. They said they expect this year to be the last time they get a draft pick this high and also they expect to not have this much draft capital again going forward as this year is the last time it will be necessary. It was on a podcast from this summer I don't remember which one but I can tell you it was either the the one with Rob Blake, Luc and/or Yannetti. And it was closer to right after the lottery

I mean it makes sense that they're not going to have a ton of vets they can move off for draft picks so there's that, like they've cut off the dead weight now it's the roster they want plus the kids they're drafting/trading for.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

I have never heard anyone who works for the Kings say anything close to the bolded portion

I think the only way the Kings don't take Byfield is if he somehow goes #1.
The Kings are pretty much obligated to take him

Sorry one more thing, is it really passing on him if you get significant capital in exchange to move down 1 spot? Then you just were offered a deal too good to pass up. Also there is 0 chance Byfield goes 1st especially when the rangers have such significant talent on their roster already. They don't need a question mark. They don't need a "he could", "he might", "he is huge so if we do it right". They need a definite contribution. And Laf is that. Next closest is Rossi in terms of readiness Stutzle comes with a "maybe" in readiness this year, he ultimately depends on your staff but neither are as ready or will have the immediate impact of Laf.

 

[BigKing]

I heard them say they expect to compete next year. They said they expect this year to be the last time they get a draft pick this high and also they expect to not have this much draft capital again going forward as this year is the last time it will be necessary. It was on a podcast from this summer I don't remember which one but I can tell you it was either the the one with Rob Blake, Luc and/or Yannetti. And it was closer to right after the lottery

They definitely don't expect to be drafting 2OA again unless they win the lottery. This season will be like Doughty's rookie year when they made an eight point improvement. That might not seem like much but it was based on two more wins and four more loser points. Go the other way on a couple of those OTLs and it is a 10 point improvement. The main thing that season is you were able to see the bones of a foundation in 11/23/8/32 and Lombardi started to add, moving potential in O'Sullivan for Williams and then trading for Smyth in the off-season.

It's playoffs or bust in 2021-22. That is T-Mac's 3rd year and Blake's 5th. Barring catastrophic injuries, a failure to make the playoffs in 2022 means that these prospects aren't all they are cracked up to be, that Blake didn't add the appropriate pieces to supplement the prospects or a combo of both.

 

[Lt Dan]

Sorry one more thing, is it really passing on him if you get significant capital in exchange to move down 1 spot? Then you just were offered a deal too good to pass up. Also there is 0 chance Byfield goes 1st especially when the rangers have such significant talent on their roster already. They don't need a question mark. They don't need a "he could", "he might", "he is huge so if we do it right". They need a definite contribution. And Laf is that. Next closest is Rossi in terms of readiness Stutzle comes with a "maybe" in readiness this year, he ultimately depends on your staff but neither are as ready or will have the immediate impact of Laf.

It would have to be a pretty sweet deal and I mean overpayment

As far as the Rangers, they have talent but they don't have centers and centers are the most important position in hockey after a goalie.
A lot of teams are still in love with size and the Rangers did draft Huge Specimen back in 03

 

[Polar Bear]

It would have to be a pretty sweet deal and I mean overpayment

As far as the Rangers, they have talent but they don't have centers and centers are the most important position in hockey after a goalie.
A lot of teams are still in love with size and the Rangers did draft Huge Specimen back in 03

The Rangers are taking Laf at 1 if they keep the pick, it's not even a debate and the team has pretty much confirmed it as such. The only way we don't take Laf is if we traded the pick for a mega offer. Since the odds of that happening is slim to none, LA will deff have the chance to take Byfield.

 

[Lt Dan]

The Rangers are taking Laf at 1 if they keep the pick, it's not even a debate and the team has pretty much confirmed it as such. The only way we don't take Laf is if we traded the pick for a mega offer. Since the odds of that happening is slim to none, LA will deff have the chance to take Byfield.

for the record it was mentioned as a possibility.

the Kings would take Byfield unless he wasn't there...

 

[Polar Bear]

for the record it was mentioned as a possibility.

the Kings would take Byfield unless he wasn't there...

I mean I guess anything is possible but I'd put the odds at 1% or less based on what we have been told by the team and what has been reported (not sure who mentioned it on here specifically but it's just not going to happen really). Byfield in LA is going to look great though, honestly. Really can't think of a better fit with someone like Kopitar as a mentor. I'm excited to see how he does with y'all if you select him.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Byfield helped carry a very average Sudbury Wolves team to a playoff spot. I'm sure that's a good sign he's not competitive whatsoever and him working out and training with Gary Roberts is a sign of weakness.

Some people are reaching very far to come up with these whacked out 'what if?' scenarios...

Remember when Doughty was being criticized for not taking his training seriously in his draft year? The Kings must've made a huge mistake selecting that carefree kid instead of Zach Bogosian, who is chiseled out of granite.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I personally see his nick name going to Stoots. When he starts snapping it will not be long till a lot of T-Shirts with the phrase "He Stoots, he scores". Or if you like hockey movies
"Pass, Stoot, and Score" - Stoots
"Pass" - OTT/LA player
"Stoot" -Stoots
"And Score"- OTT/LA player

Disney permitting, I prefer the latter. Regardless I'm kind of hoping LA takes Byfield just to make the fan base happy. Also it would be sick if Ottawa can scoop Stutzle with the 3rd and his team Germany linemate JJP with the Isles pick.

Power to the Byfield pick I want your fanbase to be happy. I think Ottawa offers him a development route or fit that gives him a better path to hit his ceiling. I think Byfield could go to Ottawa instantly and play the role of "the guy". He might not put up a ton of points year 1 but he would get the role. Brady and Byfield would likely have a positive impact each others development. I think LA will need to send Byfield back to the O which is fine for his development, probably even better for it, but the kings will have to restructure so Byfield can come in as "the guy" with players that complement his style.

Pre-CoVid I thought maybe the better route for Byfield would be OHL Sudbury...but now with the CHL season on hold until December at the earliest I think young Byfield all pumped up and ready for the show could play 3rd line centre to begin with learning the ropes from Kopi-Star...and then eventually taking over from the grand master soon after! Or maybe the Kings put Byfield on Kopi's LWing until he learns the finer aspects of the position with less responsibility. Byfield with KopiStar and say a healthy Carts on the RWing could be UnStoppable!!!That size and skill will not be contained by anyone!!!

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Byfield helped carry a very average Sudbury Wolves team to a playoff spot. I'm sure that's a good sign he's not competitive whatsoever and him working out and training with Gary Roberts is a sign of weakness.

Some people are reaching very far to come up with these whacked out 'what if?' scenarios...

Remember when Doughty was being criticized for not taking his training seriously in his draft year? The Kings must've made a huge mistake selecting that carefree kid instead of Zach Bogosian, who is chiseled out of granite.

Byfield is going to be a Wrecking ball for the Kings and a Star to boot! Talent,Skill,skating ability don't come down the pike very often and he just turned 18 a few weeks ago...Byfield baby all the way to the bank and Los Angeles,California...wearing numero cinquantacinque(55)!!!

 

[cyclones22]

When the Kings brass said they expect to compete next year, they mean play meaningful games late into the season. If you listen to enough interviews etc, that's pretty much been their unified message. They do not expect to spend any real money this offseason either. No big splashes, likely just bridge players. So there is no rush to push whoever is drafted at #2 onto the big club. I think that only happens if it's in the best interest of the player to be in LA. If there's another outbreak or something and the NHL bubble is more beneficial than the OHL one (if there even is one) it's probably better for the player to be training with the big club than potentially just sitting at home. If it's Stutzle, he's stuck in Germany anyway.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I mean I guess anything is possible but I'd put the odds at 1% or less based on what we have been told by the team and what has been reported (not sure who mentioned it on here specifically but it's just not going to happen really). Byfield in LA is going to look great though, honestly. Really can't think of a better fit with someone like Kopitar as a mentor. I'm excited to see how he does with y'all if you select him.

Byfield with Kopi-Star as the mentor(yeah baby) and Turcotte as 2nd-3rd line Centre...Lizotte 4th line...The centre position on the Kings,best in the League by far with By-Field,Kopi-Star,Turcotte...Lizotte!!!Now all the Kings need is some real bonafide young scoring wingers...Kempe,Kaliyev could be 2 for sure...need more though

 

[KopitarFAN]

Seems the optimal path for Byfield might be to start him in the NHL (assuming the season starts in early to mid-December) let him play until he would go to the WJC (if they happen) and then spend the rest of the season with Sudbury. Gets him a taste of the NHL while not burning a year on his ELC.