Byfield
- Thread starter rinkrat
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Statue4Deano
Super Star
I’m now at a point while watching a game where I’m thinking “we could really use a Byfield shift right now”. The mix of size, speed and decisiveness is forcing so many bobbled pucks, bad passes and turnovers. Eventually I’d like to see him killing penalties. His wingspan and reach cause so many problems.
DarkLeftHand
Super Star
That play against Vegas where he outraced McNabb back to the corner and fed a pass to a wide open Kopitar in the slot was a thing of beauty. Should have resulted in another sweet primary assist for him, save for the fact that Kopitar couldn’t finish. Very similar to his assist on Grundstrom’s goal in the previous game.
hokiecat
Super Star
That's all you had to say. Making excuses for making a mistake on the selection.
Anyone sane would take Stutzle, who is the standout of the draft year by far.
symbology
TEAM LGK
How is Stutzle's attitude? I hear he is a diver and a massive whiner.
To be clear, I wanted Stutzle at the draft. However, I think the jury is still out on this....
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emsomaso
The Swedish King
You can say whatever you want, I have already explained my thoughts about this so I shouldn’t really waste my and everyone else’s time doing it again.
First, my main point was to give my thoughts about those who call Byfiled a bust (which is beyond stupid), not to engage in the totally pointless Stutzle vs Byfield discussion. That is like talking about why we didn’t draft Jarome Iginla over Aki-Petteri Berg in 1995, a total waste of time.
But if i still should do that, you simply can’t decide which one was the better pick today, it’s just silly! We’ll have to wait another 10-15 years before we know. And by then, I really think Byfield will have proved that he was the right pick for Kings. No, he may not have put up the same amount of points but this isn’t Playstation! There are other things than goals and assists that makes a good hockey player…
One final thing that bugs me in this Byfield discussion are all these ”experts” here that thinks drafting kids is like an exact science and then comes here and says ”I’m right and you’re wrong”. It’s easy to look smart when you can use hindsight to your advantage…
But as said, even when knowing today what was impossible knowing back in 2020, I would still pick Byfield with the 2nd selection based on how Kings play and what they needed.
Clif
Super Star
Whenever I feel negative about the Byfield and Turcotte picks, I think of Dustin Wolf. That blunder completely eclipses Byfield over Stutzle. At least now Byfield is showing they still got a good player.
Kings had all the familiarity in the world with Wolf but couldn’t be bothered to use a 7th round pick on him.
Kings had all the familiarity in the world with Wolf but couldn’t be bothered to use a 7th round pick on him.
VCRW
Classic player
If Turcotte can show management that he can stay healthy and on the ice for (most of) a full season, we will see him in the NHL... maybe not with the Kings. But the guy has game. I am still rooting for him.
Byfield will probably never become the dominant center Blake thought he was drafting. But if he remains on his current trajectory, he can be a quality power forward on the wing. In the last 2 weeks, he has taken some giant steps in using his size and speed. Against Vegas, he finally showed real confidence in his game. That is a huge move forward. Now… if the kid only had a pro level shot…
DryKing
Power Forward
Totally agree on Turcotte, if he can stay healthy he is the type of player who makes any line better. I really hope he can complete a full season this year without injury and fingers crossed he ends up on the Kings roster by YE.
Byfield has always been a player who generates most of his goal either in the crease or below the hash marks (his tip in off Grundy's pass was pretty exceptional this season - as was the pass itself from Grundy). Given this, he is going to keep getting better as he continues to gain strength and size / body matures. I agree with you, though, he's unlikely to develop a shot that really blows by goalies or become a sniper such as Kempe.
The part we haven't seen a ton of yet at the NHL level, which he had at lower levels, was creativity with the puck in the crease. He clearly has the ability, though, and it just seems a matter of time before it emerges at the NHL level. When all is said and done, I don't see why he wouldn't turn into a consistent 20-30 goal scorer over the course of his career.
Bollocks
Top Forward
Kopitar was never a super creative playmaker or a sniper...yet his career was f'ing great.
If QB develops in a similar trajectory to last season in the next 1-2 seasons, gains confidence and consistency and has good luck when it comes to health he could become a more creative, faster version of Kopitar. If that will be at wing, so be it. The Kings now have such depth at center it won't be pivotal that QB becomes a center, especially if Turcotte keeps up the good work and manages to avoid more injuries.
Whoever thinks QB's peak is even remotely attainable at 21yo after his injury history in key developmental years, though, is a certified looney or a troll.
STONE
My goal is to stop yours
My friend Jodi's son played with QB coming up, and in the OHL. Jodi coached Juniors and told me, in no short order, draft him over Stuzle. This kid dominated at every level, and will in the NHL too.
So, I'll continue to go with my experienced Canadien friends opinions, and damn, what I've seen so far leans towards growth in that direction fosho.
So, I'll continue to go with my experienced Canadien friends opinions, and damn, what I've seen so far leans towards growth in that direction fosho.
symbology
TEAM LGK
I don't know Stone, I think I can match up with those "Canadien" buddies of yours. I might even have more experience. I have played hockey on playstations for over 15 years. Got some of the best thumbs and trigger fingers in my hood.
In all seriousness though, I do expect him to be more than fine.
In all seriousness though, I do expect him to be more than fine.
Rogie-Vachon
Sizzler Across The Street
Byfield has had a run of 4 really good games. He is now willing to show his speed & use his size to make fantastic passes to his teammates. He's doing the little things - and he's only 21.
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
Now he needs to shoot the puck. Shoot. The. Puck. He's still deferring. I was team Stutzle at the draft and still thought so until even this season recently, despite the kid's undeniable talent. He's beginning to change my mind. The size and speed combo is just so rare, and he's got a hell of a motor, too. Works hard.
Now he just needs to understand just how good he is. He's going to be absolutely a nightmare for opposing D in 2 or 3 years. He already is, but not consistently. In a couple of years they're going to be waking up in a cold sweat before games having to try and defend this kid.
Now he just needs to understand just how good he is. He's going to be absolutely a nightmare for opposing D in 2 or 3 years. He already is, but not consistently. In a couple of years they're going to be waking up in a cold sweat before games having to try and defend this kid.
symbology
TEAM LGK
When he does shoot, he needs to hit the net. 80% of his shots miss the net.
G Desjardins
3rd Line Winger
Sometimes the light just switches on. Or maybe it's just that Byfield is finally healthy. Nah, must be because of my post whining about the Kings drafting him over Stutzle. That's what motivated him. But really, just proof that I don't know as much as I think I do. Shocker.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
We're now entering the part of his development where we start to question why he's only playing 15 minutes a night. 2 more points tonight against Toronto on national TV in only 12:26 TOI and named the 1st star. To play at that level against the Leafs in front of his hometown is another stepping stone for QB.
Blake needs to get him locked in at a moderate cap hit for as long as possible. Let him grow into his contract.
Blake needs to get him locked in at a moderate cap hit for as long as possible. Let him grow into his contract.
emsomaso
The Swedish King
What a game by Byfield, he’s a beast when chasing after the puck in the offensive zone!! Loved how he hold on to the puck too, not just quickly passing it to Kopitar or Kempe. But as someone said earlier, next step is to hit the net more often with the shots.
Now it’s time for McLellan to let him play more than just over 12 minutes a game!
Now it’s time for McLellan to let him play more than just over 12 minutes a game!
Now Chirping
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