WJC - Byfield Thoughts

[KINGS17]

So now he's a project...got it.

He is more like one of those Christmas toys you have to put the decals on, not one where you have to get out your tool chest and insert 1 of 20 screw "A's" into 1 of 40 nut "B's".

 

[bland]

He is more like one of those Christmas toys you have to put the decals on, not one where you have to get out your tool chest and insert 1 of 20 screw "A's" into 1 of 40 nut "B's".

I think its the opposite actually. He is going to need time, likely a lot of it if he is going to potentially reach franchise status. He is very raw.

Just like Kaliyev, big fish in little ponds only need to know a trick or two to get fed.

 

[Legionnaire]

don't know what that means, but look it would be nice for once if Kings had an easy route
that's all
it would have been nice to have Byfield score a few on the 16... 16 mind you... 16! We're talking about a guy that many tout him as a franchise player... 16!
but i think we all fully understand that one game doesn't define a career, but anyway... it's the long road ahead for the kings, as usual, which is fine...they always take the long road to get where they need to be at

You're the one who made the dart analogy. It shouldn't be that hard

 

[KingPuckChoo]

You're the one who made the dart analogy. It shouldn't be that hard

ya it is, I'm not in your head

16 darts thrown by TEAM A
2 darts thrown by TEAM B
all on the same board
gotcha...

wish you a happy holiday

 

[Legionnaire]

ya it is, I'm not in your head

16 darts thrown by TEAM A
2 darts thrown by TEAM B
all on the same board
gotcha...

wish you a happy holiday

Enjoy.

 

[Jericho111091]

Another tournament, another year of people overreacting to said tournament

 

[No Name The Nameless]

I think anyone who will demonize him over a couple games is being reactionary. Anyone who refused to acknowledge the same questions popping up are avoiding it altogether.
He's not earning his time. He is tentative and is floating a bit. Same issues as last year. Saying that we should give him a pass because he's not played in 10 months is people moving the goal posts. Most players on the team are in the same boat.
There is SOMETHING. If it's effort, attitude, or pressure it's SOMETHING. He's bigger, stronger and faster than everyone. Speed, size and skill doesn't doesn't sleep. The head sleeps.

I'm ready for the next game. I want to see the response.

 

[DAkings20]

I think we should ask the league for a return if he doesn't score today

 

[HookKing]

I think we should ask the league for a return if he doesn't score today

This is a joke right? He thinks he "Disturbs the forecheck". He's not sure?

 

[Eagle Fang]

I think we should ask the league for a return if he doesn't score today

I mean that's great and all, but pretty sure they could've drafted a guy that does that in the later rounds rather than 2nd overall.

 

[King'sPawn]

Team Canada would be so much better if HFKings ran it as a collective.

 

[Legionnaire]

Team Canada would be so much better if HFKings ran it as a collective.

I'll drive. You navigate

 

[JJDrums]

I think anyone who will demonize him over a couple games is being reactionary. Anyone who refused to acknowledge the same questions popping up are avoiding it altogether.
He's not earning his time. He is tentative and is floating a bit. Same issues as last year. Saying that we should give him a pass because he's not played in 10 months is people moving the goal posts. Most players on the team are in the same boat.
There is SOMETHING. If it's effort, attitude, or pressure it's SOMETHING. He's bigger, stronger and faster than everyone. Speed, size and skill doesn't doesn't sleep. The head sleeps.

I'm ready for the next game. I want to see the response.

I started the thread only to say that he looked slow out there ... and that he wasnt getting ice time which is indicative of how his coaches see him .. time will tell how he turns out ... but among his peers in his second tournament, he stands out for the wrong reasons ...

 

[Eagle Fang]

Team Canada would be so much better if HFKings ran it as a collective.

I could care less about Team Canada or how their coaching staff allocates what role a player has. What I care about about is that Byfield, a player who is projected to be LA's top center in the future, isn't looking like that player at the moment.

Certainly there are a lot of reasons, whether valid or excuses, as to why. But the simple fact is, up to this moment, offense which is what he was drafted for, isn't there. And that's not by way of points. Even if he had no points but was initiating or generating chances, that'd be something. Offensive plays are just dying on his stick and it's pretty clear to me that goes back to the criticism of his hockey IQ. I'm no scout, but he makes really weird decisions with the puck.

But if his coach praises him for his checking and physicality, that's good I guess...

I hope Byfield succeeds, but I'm not a blind homer either. I call it like I see it. Turcotte and Faber have looked real good. Bjornfoot has looked real good. Spence looked good in the pre-tournament game. Kaliyev looked meh. Byfield has looked ineffective.

 

[funky]

I could care less about Team Canada or how their coaching staff allocates what role a player has. What I care about about is that Byfield, a player who is projected to be LA's top center in the future, isn't looking like that player at the moment.

Certainly there are a lot of reasons, whether valid or excuses, as to why. But the simple fact is, up to this moment, offense which is what he was drafted for, isn't there. And that's not by way of points. Even if he had no points but was initiating or generating chances, that'd be something. Offensive plays are just dying on his stick and it's pretty clear to me that goes back to the criticism of his hockey IQ. I'm no scout, but he makes really weird decisions with the puck.

But if his coach praises him for his checking and physicality, that's good I guess...

I hope Byfield succeeds, but I'm not a blind homer either. I call it like I see it. Turcotte and Faber have looked real good. Bjornfoot has looked real good. Spence looked good in the pre-tournament game. Kaliyev looked meh. Byfield has looked ineffective.

Faber, Bjornfot and Spence have all been playing this year.

Kaliyev and Byfield have not. No shit the top 3 look a lot better.

 

[Eagle Fang]

I think anyone who will demonize him over a couple games is being reactionary. Anyone who refused to acknowledge the same questions popping up are avoiding it altogether.
He's not earning his time. He is tentative and is floating a bit. Same issues as last year. Saying that we should give him a pass because he's not played in 10 months is people moving the goal posts. Most players on the team are in the same boat.
There is SOMETHING. If it's effort, attitude, or pressure it's SOMETHING. He's bigger, stronger and faster than everyone. Speed, size and skill doesn't doesn't sleep. The head sleeps.

I'm ready for the next game. I want to see the response.

This is a really good post and sums things up very well.

For me, I can only make an opinion on what I see. I can see Turcotte doing the things he was drafted for. I see the compete and hustle, but I can also see his vision, his passing and his skill. He generates chances and can drive the play at times. I can see Faber's skating, defensive prowess and really good outlet passing. Whether that translates to the next level, who knows, but at the moment vs the best of the best in their peer groups, they are excelling.

Byfield on the other hand....

And I really am not a Byfield hater. I want him to succeed and be the Kopitar replacement people are hoping for. But at the moment, I'm having a hard time seeing it.

 

[Anguyen92]

As I stated before, if we are not seeing the upside of Byfield in this tourney alone, that does not mean we picked bad. I would like us to see how the guy operates within the Kings' affiliate teams (whether it be with the Kings, the Reigns, etc.) before making an analysis to see if he's going to do well under their system. If he's not able to play games with those teams, and play them well, then I can say he's a bust. Until then, it's a waiting game.....

I'm going to be frank. I'm not one to care much for international play (and that goes for even if the NHL sends their players to the Olympics). It's nice to see if how the hockey superpowers clash and see if the players afflicted with the Kings do well, but I honestly won't judge a player if so-so did not do well in the tourney.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Faber, Bjornfot and Spence have all been playing this year.

Kaliyev and Byfield have not. No shit the top 3 look a lot better.

Certainly that could be a factor, but then again, a lot of players who haven't played are doing well. Turcotte and Zegras have looked great.. though I guess you say Turcotte played a few exhibition games in Germany, lol...

 

[Eagle Fang]

As I stated before, if we are not seeing the upside of Byfield in this tourney alone, that does not mean we picked bad. I would like us to see how the guy operates within the Kings' affiliate teams (whether it be with the Kings, the Reigns, etc.) before making an analysis to see if he's going to do well under their system. If he's not able to play games with those teams, and play them well, then I can say he's a bust. Until then, it's a waiting game.....

I'm going to be frank. I'm not one to care much for international play (and that goes for even if the NHL sends their players to the Olympics). It's nice to see if how the hockey superpowers clash and see if the players afflicted with the Kings do well, but I honestly won't judge a player if so-so did not do well in the tourney.

For sure, and you're 100% right. Of course no one knows how he'll develop, and we can only make opinions based on what we're seeing at the moment. I for sure am not saying he won't become a top line center. I just don't see it now.

And the thing with International tournaments, especially the WJC. It's the best of the best in their age group which is what the NHL is; the best of the best. It's one thing to feast on weaker OHL defenses and another to do that vs the best of your peers.

As the 2nd overall pick, I think it's safe to say people aren't expecting an elite checker. My concern is that he's not generating offense... and it's not about points. In fact, as I've said, it seems like plays simply die when he touches the puck. That to me is a bit eye opening.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

For sure, and you're 100% right. Of course no one knows how he'll develop, and we can only make opinions based on what we're seeing at the moment. I for sure am not saying he won't become a top line center. I just don't see it now.

And the thing with International tournaments, especially the WJC. It's the best of the best in their age group which is what the NHL is; the best of the best. It's one thing to feast on weaker OHL defenses and another to do that vs the best of your peers.

As the 2nd overall pick, I think it's safe to say people aren't expecting an elite checker. My concern is that he's not generating offense... and it's not about points. In fact, as I've said, it seems like plays simply die when he touches the puck. That to me is a bit eye opening.

Because one WJC game in a blowout that saw Byfield earn 11 minutes of ice time is a very reasonable way to draw conclusions about how his game will translate to the NHL. Sound judgement to assess how his future will play out when he's still the youngest player on the squad, having turned 18 just a few months ago. He's even eligible to play in next year's tournament.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Because one WJC game in a blowout that saw Byfield earn 11 minutes of ice time is a very reasonable way to draw conclusions about how his game will translate to the NHL. Perfectly reasonable way to assess a player.

Yes, that's EXACTLY what I said. Well done!

 

[King'sPawn]

I could care less about Team Canada or how their coaching staff allocates what role a player has. What I care about about is that Byfield, a player who is projected to be LA's top center in the future, isn't looking like that player at the moment.

Certainly there are a lot of reasons, whether valid or excuses, as to why. But the simple fact is, up to this moment, offense which is what he was drafted for, isn't there. And that's not by way of points. Even if he had no points but was initiating or generating chances, that'd be something. Offensive plays are just dying on his stick and it's pretty clear to me that goes back to the criticism of his hockey IQ. I'm no scout, but he makes really weird decisions with the puck.

But if his coach praises him for his checking and physicality, that's good I guess...

I hope Byfield succeeds, but I'm not a blind homer either. I call it like I see it. Turcotte and Faber have looked real good. Bjornfoot has looked real good. Spence looked good in the pre-tournament game. Kaliyev looked meh. Byfield has looked ineffective.

Byfield played a decent game where several of his teammates were walking over a depleted and exhausted Germany team. More importantly, however, the coach highlights that there's more to Byfield than just racking up points. One response was "lol he thinks, like he's unsure?" And yours was "we can get that from a non-second overall pick.

If you're unsure about a multi-dimensional player being a second overall pick, and assume he was drafted to be a grinder, then you're willfully nitpicking praise after one game.

People drawing career conclusions based off of one tournament, let alone one game, needs to pump the brakes.

I agree Turcotte, Faber, and Bjornfot have looked good. Simontaival and Chromiak have looked all right. I want to see more chances and pace from Kaliyev and Byfield. I hope to actually see Spence and Parik get some play time.

Beyond those feelings, career projections of these players is absurd based on these games during a pandemic year.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Yes, that's EXACTLY what I said. Well done!

You're whining about his play in a supposed best on best tournament. Is playing against a shorthanded Germany that got their asses kicked the best talent he'll be facing? Is his play in that one game framing a picture of how he's played previously or how he will perform in the future? Who's the one drawing those conclusions?

 

[Chazz Reinhold]

I started the thread only to say that he looked slow out there ... and that he wasnt getting ice time which is indicative of how his coaches see him .. time will tell how he turns out ... but among his peers in his second tournament, he stands out for the wrong reasons ...

Where did this myth that he's not getting ice time come from?

He played 2:48 in the first period yesterday which is, of course, low, but he was in the box for 2 minutes of those and another 5 minutes was a major penalty kill. Whatever you think of the decision, he's simply not killing penalties in this tournament, so it was going to affect his ice time in the first.

He played 4:40 in the second period. That was more than 6 other forwards, which fits perfectly with the role he's playing right now: third line center.

He played 3:41 in the third, which was more than 4 other forwards (the top-line forwards, not surprisingly, since it was a blow out).

The forward minutes ranged from 10:30 to 15:50 (Holloway, and even he was a bit of an outlier, likely due to the fact that he kills penalties and there was a 5-minute major to be killed; take out Holloway and the next highest was 14:26). There wasn't a huge discrepancy when it comes to how the ice time was distributed beyond the first line. But that doesn't fit the narrative, I guess.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Byfield played a decent game where several of his teammates were walking over a depleted and exhausted Germany team. More importantly, however, the coach highlights that there's more to Byfield than just racking up points. One response was "lol he thinks, like he's unsure?" And yours was "we can get that from a non-second overall pick.

If you're unsure about a multi-dimensional player being a second overall pick, and assume he was drafted to be a grinder, then you're willfully nitpicking praise after one game.

People drawing career conclusions based off of one tournament, let alone one game, needs to pump the brakes.

I agree Turcotte, Faber, and Bjornfot have looked good. Simontaival and Chromiak have looked all right. I want to see more chances and pace from Kaliyev and Byfield. I hope to actually see Spence and Parik get some play time.

Beyond those feelings, career projections of these players is absurd based on these games during a pandemic year.

That's the thing though, I don't think anyone is drawing career conclusions off one game or even just this tournament. I certainly am not or don't mean to. I've said a few times I believe, that no one knows what his future will be or how he will develop, and a person can only make OPINIONS based on what we see now.

He may be a 90 point NHL center. He may not. I certainly have no idea. All I know is that he is expected to be an offensive player and top 6 forward in the NHL. The fact is, in the 4 games I've seen him play so far, he's not really generating anything. Plays seem to just die when he has the puck.

At the moment, it raises an eyebrow. That's all.