WJC - Byfield Thoughts

[BigKing]

Any of our prospects do well in the WJC, this place crowns them. If they do poorly, it's all excuses.

That's not me saying Byfield sucks: it's just that those that bring up small sample size etc...to explain away poor performances don't do the same for good performances.

It's all noise in the end. You want to see everyone crush it but it doesn't portend their respective NHL futures one way or the other.

I still take Byfield. Same time, I'd like to see a lot more from him.

 

[King'sPawn]

Any of our prospects do well in the WJC, this place crowns them. If they do poorly, it's all excuses.

That's not me saying Byfield sucks: it's just that those that bring up small sample size etc...to explain away poor performances don't do the same for good performances.

It's all noise in the end. You want to see everyone crush it but it doesn't portend their respective NHL futures one way or the other.

I still take Byfield. Same time, I'd like to see a lot more from him.

I did for Fagemo, who led the WJC in scoring last year.

Edit: in addition, people are simply pointing out praise for good things other prospects are doing. Not many are looking at the good performances and say "this prospect is going to be a star." They're recognizing good performances.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

I don't see how his performance can be seen as anything but disappointing so far. He's mostly invisible, isn't using his size, is tentative, and deserves to only get the limited minutes he's getting right now

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Byfield should not have gone top 5 imo. Dumb pick at 2.

He’ll be better than Kotkaniemi, who shouldn’t have gone 3rd overall in 2018. What a dumb pick by your Canadiens.

 

[ru4reals]

He’ll be better than Kotkaniemi, who shouldn’t have gone 3rd overall in 2018. What a dumb pick by your Canadiens.

Totally agree. Kid may not be a bust but at 3rd overall? Yikes. But Byfield will be fine. If he's a bust well I figure we will still be in the running for Lambert and Wright in a few years so not even going to sweat it.

 

[robitaillefan]

Byfield will be fine, just fine.

let’s just pump the brakes here

 

[ru4reals]

LOL. Byfield getting absolutely murdered in the main boards. LOL. Can't wait for him to beast in a few year. Just watch.

 

[King'sPawn]

I don't see how his performance can be seen as anything but disappointing so far. He's mostly invisible, isn't using his size, is tentative, and deserves to only get the limited minutes he's getting right now

I'm not saying he can't be better, because he absolutely can. But this is a tweet from an OHL scout adding context:



Quinn's lines yesterday and today have been among the least cohesive. Notice Byfield's line was much more effective tonight.

You can argue the second overall pick should do better regardless of linemates. That's where I agree he can be better. But I don't know if the lines and roles are appropriate.

Byfield with Cozens, both with size, speed, and skill, would have better chemistry, in my opinion.

Edit: the usage of Quinn is important, since Tourigny is his coach in Ottawa

 

[kingsfan28]

It seems to me that the guys who've played some kind of organized hockey before the WJC have done better than the ones who've not. Byfield and others fall into this catagory. Not worried at all.

 

[bouncesonly]

I remember when Colin White and Kiefer Bellows were can’t miss prospects because of their WJ success.

Who?

 

[Eagle Fang]

It seems to me that the guys who've played some kind of organized hockey before the WJC have done better than the ones who've not. Byfield and others fall into this catagory. Not worried at all.

Not necessarily. I don't think guys like Cozens, Byram or any of the OHL guys have played. I don't think Zegras has played either and they all look pretty good for the most part. I would include Turcotte though it can be argued the exhibition he played in Germany counts? He's looked pretty good as well

 

[King'sPawn]

Not necessarily. I don't think guys like Cozens, Byram or any of the OHL guys have played. I don't think Zegras has played either and they all look pretty good for the most part. I would include Turcotte though it can be argued the exhibition he played in Germany counts? He's looked pretty good as well

You've also mentioned players who are older and more experienced, playing in their last possible WJC.

And Byram trained with Colorado prior to the playoffs. As you mentioned, Turcotte played in Germany.

One of the best forwards for Canada, drafted this year, is Dawson Mercer. But again, he plays in the Q, whose season began in October.

It's not THE reason, but it's a mitigating factor.

 

[Eagle Fang]

You've also mentioned players who are older and more experienced, playing in their last possible WJC.

And Byram trained with Colorado prior to the playoffs. As you mentioned, Turcotte played in Germany.

One of the best forwards for Canada, drafted this year, is Dawson Mercer. But again, he plays in the Q, whose season began in October.

It's not THE reason, but it's a mitigating factor.

Does practicing with Colorado count though? I don't know, maybe it does. Same with Turcotte. Does that really count? Not being sarcastic about it, but does that really give someone any significant edge in the context that's being talked about? Maybe it does, I don't know. I just have a hard time seeing a couple of practices several months ago really giving that much of an edge. Games, sure. I'll fully agree the Q guys and some of the college guys who've played a few games certainly have a leg up.

But then again, Zegras hasn't played any games and is one of the best US forwards if not the best (insert argument for Boldy)

And the age thing certainly does come into play, but I feel like, and this is just my opinion, that only goes so far. Last year it was used as a reason for his poor showing and to use it again this year is kind of... I dunno, played out. Maybe this is not the same thing you're talking about, but last year it was all about Byfield being young and a year behind Laf. The 2021 WJC would be his equivalent.

I hate typing these things and it's as someone said on the main board. People have a different, less positive view of Byfield based on what we see. People disagree with that assessment and in order to support our opinions it almost comes across as we're shitting on Byfield even more. That's certainly not the case though or not meant to be that way

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I don't get all the concern over Byfield...I mean I'm watching every game and he's not gettin a whole lot of ice time. When he his out there, he looks fine to me for being the youngest player on the team.

 

[SFKingshomer]

How does gaining 10-15 lbs. and not playing for 9 months impact a player of his size? Big kids tend to take a lot longer to get their coordination. He looked fine and was really physical in the exhibition game. There can be a lot of factors as to why he's not playing well. I'm sure the Kings aren't too concerned because he's still extremely talented but raw. If he can't play in the OHL WITH CONTACT then I think he's better off in the NHL learning from Kopitar and Carter.

 

[Schrute farms]

I look at it a different way. this is good for Byfield long-term. It will make him hungry, work harder and stay focused on his development. If things were coming too easy to him here (due to his size, etc.), the hype would get huge for him (esp in Canada). More-so, that type of thing early on many times leads to a stunted LT development. While this is fun right now because we have very little to think and look forward to....ultimately this means nothing as a Kings fan. It's what he does wearing a Kings jersey and his age 20-30+ years that matter.

 

[USE Fi]

 

[tbrown33]

How does gaining 10-15 lbs. and not playing for 9 months impact a player of his size? Big kids tend to take a lot longer to get their coordination. He looked fine and was really physical in the exhibition game. There can be a lot of factors as to why he's not playing well. I'm sure the Kings aren't too concerned because he's still extremely talented but raw. If he can't play in the OHL WITH CONTACT then I think he's better off in the NHL learning from Kopitar and Carter.

he also grew about an inch. Takes a while to get used to your big new body when you havent played a game in like a year. And I dont think he’s looked bad in the 11-12 minutes a game we’ve seen him. Thought he was one of Canada’s best forwards in the exhibition vs Russia too.

 

[kingpest19]

I don't see how his performance can be seen as anything but disappointing so far. He's mostly invisible, isn't using his size, is tentative, and deserves to only get the limited minutes he's getting right now

With Dach being gone for the tourney, he needs to step and force the coaches to give him more ice time. With his talent and skills he should be feasting on other teams bottom lines

 

[killermiller]

There was that other taller highly touted Canadian center who was average in the WJC (4 points in 7 games) when they won the Gold and had massive growing pains in the NHL before he became a 2 time 100+ point scorer, winning an Art Ross and Hart trophies, multiple all star appearances and an Olympic gold medal....who was that guy again?

Oh yeah, Joe Thornton

 

[ricardfromage]

QB was selected 2nd overall in one of the 2 deepest drafts in the past 10 years, he should be dominating at least a few times per game. The circumstances of this years wjc's make things different but I agree with kp19 and others who believe he should be having a greater impact then he has so far. However, last night he turned it up a bunch and looked like he might be getting his stride. He will be the youngest 19yo in next years wjc's and should be a major impact player by then so I expect him to pick it up and be more consistent than he has been. He will be a good one down the road but he is still 2 or 3 years away from the NHL at this point.

 

[SFKingshomer]

There was that other taller highly touted Canadian center who was average in the WJC (4 points in 7 games) when they won the Gold and had massive growing pains in the NHL before he became a 2 time 100+ point scorer, winning an Art Ross and Hart trophies, multiple all star appearances and an Olympic gold medal....who was that guy again?

Oh yeah, Joe Thornton

Eric Staal who I view as Byfield's comparable and Tyler Seguin never made the team.

 

[KINGS17]

It seems to me that the guys who've played some kind of organized hockey before the WJC have done better than the ones who've not. Byfield and others fall into this catagory. Not worried at all.

The Kings are going to gave quite a quandary this coming season. Having Byfield play in the OHL, which appears as if it would be a good idea under normal circumstances, will be a waste of time due to their ridiculous "no-check" policy. Maybe the Kings will find value in having Byfield play nine games in the NHL and practicing with the NHL club.

 

[kingpest19]

The Kings are going to gave quite a quandary this coming season. Having Byfield play in the OHL, which appears as if it would be a good idea under normal circumstances, will be a waste of time due to their ridiculous "no-check" policy. Maybe the Kings will find value in having Byfield play nine games in the NHL and practicing with the NHL club.

They only get 7 games this year. I just don't see 7 games being enough ice time to make a difference

 

[Sol]

I read a couple posts saying that the Kings picked him knowing he was going to be a project... A second overall... Being
a project. That shouldn't be a thing. People have a reason to be unsettled with him. A bad WJC isnt a done deal that he's a bust. But it sure doesn't do anything to suggest that he isn't one either.

Overall it's disappointing to see him play poorly, and those who are calling him a project should really take a good look at where he was drafted.