Who does QB center in his first game?

[redcard]

I don't think his confidence is going to be shattered. Who's saying that?

Relatively speaking, Byfield has played very little hockey recently. His last CHL season was cut short by injury, then COVID. He didn't really get into a groove in the WJC.

Then he plays 30 AHL games and he really starts to get going (so I'm told) for the first time in basically a year. Now we're going to yank him out of that situation.

I felt the same way about Vilardi. He finally gets into a groove, then they yank him out of it.

I like the idea of QB getting a few NHL games here at the end of the season, but if things are starting to click for him in Ontario, why not let him marinate a little longer? Then you can bring him up for the last few games of the season.

Relatively speaking, Byfield's played nearly as much hockey as everyone else. He didn't finally get into a groove, he's been playing well for a longer stretch than he ever struggled in the AHL.

Ontario only has 8 games left. Practicing with the big club + 6 NHL games could easily be more valuable to him than 8 more AHL games.

And Vilardi was outstanding in his 10 game call up last year.

 

[Fishhead]

Vilardi should be with Kopitar because I don't feel he's a good enough skater to play center.

I'd like to see Vilardi with anyone on the wing. I'd be fine with Byfield too, it's not like the games mean much. It's not only a better spot for Gabe's skating, one thing that is missed more than I thought is having multiple faceoff takers on the ice with every line. It was hard for other teams when Lewis and Carter were on the wings, because if the center got tossed it wasn't a gimme for the other team. Vilardi is solid at the dot.

 

[johnjm22]

And Vilardi was outstanding in his 10 game call up last year.

Doesn't mean that it was the right move.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Doesn't mean that it was the right move.

I don't know that there's a 'right answer' or right move here.

But I'd probably disagree that calling Vilardi up at the end of last year was the wrong move.

And I think in this case rewarding Byfield for his growth with some NHL time (and as they point out time with Kopitar) would be better preparation for next season than a handful more AHL games.

I see your reasoning though, finishing what he started isn't a bad idea either, I just think he's better served seeing the NHL at this point.

Keep in mind he's jumping the line a little--Turcotte isn't even getting a breath of a callup, and Kupari and Kaliyev both already got games too--so it's not like it's totally thoughtless (as much as I hammer lineup decisions, heh).

 

[BigKing]

I don't think his confidence is going to be shattered. Who's saying that?

Relatively speaking, Byfield has played very little hockey recently. His last CHL season was cut short by injury, then COVID. He didn't really get into a groove in the WJC.

Then he plays 30 AHL games and he really starts to get going (so I'm told) for the first time in basically a year. Now we're going to yank him out of that situation.

I felt the same way about Vilardi. He finally gets into a groove, then they yank him out of it.

I like the idea of QB getting a few NHL games here at the end of the season, but if things are starting to click for him in Ontario, why not let him marinate a little longer? Then you can bring him up for the last few games of the season.

Apologies for assuming it was due to worries about his confidence because that is the only reasoning I can see for being against him getting the six games in this season.

He's not being "yanked" out of his current situation just like Vilardi wasn't either: guys in the AHL want to play really well so they can get called up. This was always the plan with Byfield and was only going to change if he was a total wreck down in Ontario.

I think you are kind of splitting hairs when it comes to marinating. Three or four more games in Ontario might not mean anything for him when it comes to the three NHL games but the first three NHL games can help him be better in the last three NHL games and that's what he takes in to next season.

 

[tbrown33]

read into this what you will

 

[KINGS17]

read into this what you will

Byfield will be a healthy scratch?

 

[BigKing]

Byfield will be a healthy scratch?

Figured that my timeline wouldn't be followed so the Kings could have his debut at home instead of on the road. That's what I read in to it.

 

[YP44]

looks like he could be in tomorrow!

 

[kingsholygrail]

Byfield’s not the toughest customer but how much protection does a 6’4
5” 220 lb player need? AHL has way more goons. Put him with good hockey players, even if we dont have many of those.

Remember Brian Boyle?

 

[YP44]

Remember Brian Boyle?

I was so pumped about Moulson and Boyle..hope Turcotte and Byfield meet the hype better

 

[kilowatt]

We could ice a young, exciting roster. No, really, we could. We won't, but we could.

Iafallo - Kopitar - Vilardi
Kempe - Byfield - Athanasiou
Grundstrom - JAD - Kupari
Moore - Lizotte - Brown

Bjornfot - Doughty
Clague - Roy
Anderson - Walker

 

[King'sPawn]

Kempe and Moore actually seem like good players to be Byfield's buffer. Moore moreso than Kempe, but a good mix of speed and skill.

 

[KINGS17]

Remember Brian Boyle?

Great defenseman for the Kings!

 

[ru4reals]

We could ice a young, exciting roster. No, really, we could. We won't, but we could.

Iafallo - Kopitar - Vilardi
Kempe - Byfield - Athanasiou
Grundstrom - JAD - Kupari
Moore - Lizotte - Brown

Bjornfot - Doughty
Clague - Roy
Anderson - Walker

This would make too much sense. We are talking about Todd nothing makes any sense. LOL.

 

[Steve Zissou]

I already miss that Tonka, JAD, and Moore line. RIP

 

[YP44]

We could ice a young, exciting roster. No, really, we could. We won't, but we could.

Iafallo - Kopitar - Vilardi
Kempe - Byfield - Athanasiou
Grundstrom - JAD - Kupari
Moore - Lizotte - Brown

Bjornfot - Doughty
Clague - Roy
Anderson - Walker

Brown leads team in goals so you put him on the 4th line? I know he is far from flashy but come on

 

[KINGS17]

Brown leads team in goals so you put him on the 4th line? I know he is far from flashy but come on

Brown only scores empty net goals in blowouts.

 

[YP44]

Brown only scores empty net goals in blowouts.

by that logic the team must have had a lot of blow out victories than this year.....checks standings. Nope.

 

[KINGS17]

by that logic the team must have had a lot of blow out victories than this year.....checks standings. Nope.

Sarcasm, bud. I agree with you.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Rasmussen-Byfield-Klatt

 

[Ghetty Green]

Rasmussen-Byfield-Klatt

I literally LOL'd

 

[Peter James Bond III]

Brown leads team in goals so you put him on the 4th line? I know he is far from flashy but come on

Brown 4 goals last 20 (one empty net) and has played his most lackluster hockey of his career since March 10. 3 goals in 20 games, line 1 and PP1 is pretty abysmal.
No way he's line 1 next year.

 

[tbrown33]

No way he's line 1 next year.

 

[kilowatt]

Brown leads team in goals so you put him on the 4th line? I know he is far from flashy but come on

Y'all know I love Brown, but if he leads the team in goals next season, there's not a chance we sniff the playoffs. Brown's line probably still plays 15 minutes a night, I just want to put some other guys in a position to succeed for the rest of the year. There's like 10 games left in a lost season anyway.