Byfield
- Thread starter rinkrat
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DryKing
Power Forward
Kopitar is spot on, but I would change it a little to say those who have played hockey at a competitive level know what Byfield does and appreciates what he brings. Problem is, what he bring isn't currently lighting up the stats sheet in a positive way.
G Desjardins
3rd Line Winger
It is honestly impressive how well the Kings are doing, considering how poorly they have fared with their heir apparent goalie (Cal Petersen, of course), and their highest draft pick ever. (The Kings did have the #1 overall pick in 1967, but that was when all the good prospects were signed before the draft). Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about this team, all they need out of Byfield is for him to develop into a decent 40-60 point a year two-way forward. There is still time for him to become more, fingers crossed.
Pevsfreedom
somehow in south carolina
So how long before Blake and the Mc realize he needs the Kupari treatment by giving up on a top 6 role. He should already be out there killing penalties and with his reach and mobility (even if he or his stick aren't always in the right spot) he's got to be better than Lizotte whose arms aren't long enough to pass the butter.
DryKing
Power Forward
Problem is, the Kopi and JLD lines have been the most effective lines for the Kings so far this season in terms of analytics. Just looking at expected goals %, for instance, the Kopi line rates 15th in the league. Not sure it currently makes sense to risk losing the effectiveness by moving Byfield elsewhere, and, if you do, who replaces him on Kopi's line?
What's crazy is that Kopi's line hasn't yet seemed to click this season, so the potential upside of keeping that line together is huge.
Birdman
TEAM LGK
Why would we trade a Top line winger who is doing a lot of the little things right, plays 2nd PP minutes, and who makes $900K per year and is barely shaving?
The $$$ layering across our lineup is outstanding right now.
Y’all need to take a step back and relax.
How long did it take Kempe to figure it out? 3-4 years? Byfield is in his 2nd full year, and is figuring it out.
VCRW
Classic player
When I am not totally frustrated right after watching another so-so QB game, I mostly agree with you. But with Arvy out, I think QB may be better used with 12 and 24. With less pressure to score, I do believe he would learn faster playing and thinking at NHL speed with those 2 guys. Moore and Danault would be great mentors.
The Kempe comparison isn't totally accurate. From his first days with the Monarchs, Juice showed he had extraordinary, world class talent. He just couldn't put it all together on a consistent basis. But while he was still sorting things out in the League, the speed, the vision, and the talented hands were displayed often enough to maintain faith in his future.
DarkLeftHand
Super Star
Absolutely agree. With a talent like Byfield, you let him either boom or bust within your own organization, even if it takes him 4-6 seasons to blossom. At his current cap hit, it’s a no brainer to keep him aboard for what he provides, and unlikely he will be able to ask for huge money on his next contract at seasons end. Zero reason thus far for management to feel they need to sign him to one of those ‘pay it forward’ type contracts. They’ll probably throw him a bone and offer something like 2.5 - 3.5 million per for 2-3 seasons. Although if he does hit somewhere around 50 points this season, given his pedigree of being drafted second overall, that might give his agent all the ammunition needed to shoot for a 4-5 per type of contract similar to wingers like Moore and arvidsson.
Long story short, I’d rather let him die on the vine here and become a third line Winger, rather than trade him too early for a second round draft pick and then see him become a point per game player elsewhere.
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DarkLeftHand
Super Star
He absolutely would, no question. Fagermo scored a goal in his only appearance with Nashville so far. Kubalik has become a solid 2nd line type scoring winger elsewhere, and somehow never managed to even register on the Kings radar as a potential NHL talent. Just how it goes..
ICE24
Super Star
Was Kempe the number 2 draft pick in the draft?
DryKing
Power Forward
I'd like to see him get some time with Moore and Danault. On that line not only would they teach him along the way but he would be expected to transition to a shoot first mentality. The only problem comes back to who then joins the line with Kopi and Kempe? Grundstrom?
hokiecat
Super Star
Everybody says this baloney but it isn't true. Thornton underpformed in his rookie season. He turned the corner in his second season and led the team in scoring by his third season.
Byfield has played better this season tbh. But he's really just a big and fast skater. His shot is not good and he lacks creativity with the puck. I've been saying this for at least a year. You don't spend the #2 overall on a guy to be a 1F forechecker. The Kings should have dumped him last season when he had premium value. But leadership won't admit they made a mistake passing on Stutzle so instead I'll continue to hear the misdirection claims of "but Thornton, Kempe, and Tage Thompson" in an attempt to downplay the failure.
Earl
Super Star
To me the problem with Byfield is in the OHL he was probably the fastest skater in the league and now he's not even the faster skater on his line and you could also say that about his size where he easily outmuscled kids with acne but now he's going against the Tom Wilson's of the world. I do see potential in him and even myself did compare him to Joe Thornton in terms of his trajectory but he's absolutely behind that at the moment. I don't think you can say the Kings bungled the pick as you could also say the Rangers should have drafted Stutzle as well. On draft day most not all but most said Byfield was the pick the Kings should make as at that moment he was set to be the heir apparent to Kopitar.
DryKing
Power Forward
He's still on the upper end of the skaters, in terms of speed, within the NHL so I don't fully agree with the first point, but definitely agree with strength holding him back. He looked strong and dominate the first two games of the season but has taken a step back since. The cross check after the whistle last night also indicates that he wants to play tough and defend his linemates but doesn't yet fully comprehend how to do so. It was almost as though one could see the delay between him processing what he wanted to do and then doing it. That said, his biggest challenge regarding moving from the OHL to NHL appears to be within the mental game.
symbology
TEAM LGK
And..... it absolutely would not be the case if QB was not on that line.
Now Chirping
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