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K-Man #32
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Korpi held us in there for the win.
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Illegal_Stick
Lurker
So... guessing we're all good with QB on the top line now? Not going to brag because even I was saying he has to stay there because he's the best option. Even I didn't expect him to play that well. He's going to have to be even better I would imagine tomorrow as the focus will be even more on Kempe.
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Bill Hicks
Lurker
Happily eating my crow!
HeadInjury
2 Late to Change My Name
Vilardi skating at practice today in a regular jersey. No longer wearing the no-contact jersey. Looks like he's close.
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shoot2scor
Lurker
He looked a lot better I will give him that. I would like to see him put a few goals in here and there. 9, 11, and 33 carried the offense last night. It would be nice to see 55 chip in every so often. With that said that may have been his best game as a King.
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VCRW
Lurker
We're gettin' the band back together!
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VCRW
Lurker
Yup. Juice will be even more of a target. Hope the kid can use the extra space that will create to find the net or an open Kopi tomorrow night.
santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
Now do Fiala.
HeadInjury
2 Late to Change My Name
I don't know. 3 goals in 53 games. One an empty netter that he was in position to score only because he was coming out of the box after taking a bad penalty. I'm sold that he needs to play and there apparently is no better place for him. He can't handle 3C yet. I see improvement in his overall game, but what other playoff team has a top six forward with only 3 goals? Particularly playing on a line with a pass-first center?
Helvetica
Top Forward
im not going to completely ignore the fact that Byfield needs to shoot a bit more, and a few more goals would be nice, but Kopitar was second on the team in goals, with 28 on the season. To me, Byfield's still trying to establish some confidence and a certain level of comfort balancing responsibility, reads, and getting to the dangerous areas of the ice. Couple that with Kempe being the obvious shooter on the line, and Kopitar looking to shoot a bit more, im less worried. Additionally, they've tried so many different people with Kopitar and very few ever stick.
At the end of the day, i don't care how that line does it. Obviously i'd like Byfield to score more and all that, but if that line can score goals, play solid defense against other team's top 2 lines, and generally push the team forward, im fine with it. Given all that's happened for byfield this season to start teh first half, and where things are right now. Ride it out. Be happy with the progress. Look to next year to see him flesh out his production and likely move to 3C.
Everyone wants more goals, but i'll take winning first right now.
Helvetica
Top Forward
Thought this was actually a really interesting question. Decided i'd look at some teams to compare. Off the top of my head? probably no teams have a 3 goal winger in the top six. I may broaden the criteria a bit since he only played about half the season on the top line. I'll update this post as i go...
~~~ will be updating this over the next bit ~~~
Oilers
Yamamoto - 10g 15a 25pts - More goals. Same points more or less. Id have to double check his line combinations, but i believe he's playing 2nd line. Has about 2:30 more ATOI.
Kraken
Geekie - 9g 19a 28pts - More goals. Slightly more points. Id have to double check his line combinations, but i believe he's playing 2nd line. Has much less ice time. Id have to double check.
Golden Knights
Barbashev - 6g 10a 16pts - about the same, but roughly half the games played. Is currently listed on top line. Plays about 3:40 more ATOI.
Jets
Namestnikov 2g 8a 10pts - Played 20 games, so slightly more than double that and he's real close to byfield, playing about 1min more a night. He's listed as 2nd line C.
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A question that comes to mind now, is what team has a 3rd line wing with 23g 49a 72pts?
It's worth considering that the Kings like Byfield's 5v5 game. His compete, defensive responsibility, reads, passing, and recent forechecking and board play have all improved this season. Obviously, it's the scoring that has lagged, but the Kings have the very fortunate position of letting him learn and improve his 5v5 play against top opposition, while still at least being capable of setting up his line mates even if he cant score. And this has allowed them to run a very balanced and deep forward group, with a 3rd line boasting a guy that likely would have lead the team in scoring. And now that im making that comparison, the obvious fact has dawned on me that this situation works doubly well for sheltering Fiala as a guy who's probably not going to do well lining up defensively against top opposition. So, the fact that Byfield is playing on the top line is partly due to Fiala's inability to play there, both because of his style of play and his defensive shortcomings. Some teams would say, "**** it" and simply play Fiala in the top six, but the Kings have specifically tried to maintain a certain level of defensive identity and structure. They arent going to sacrifice their defense to chase more goals (which is sort of what we saw them doing to start the season).
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Pickle_Pucks
Lurker
ESPN Top 50 players in the NHL playoffs...
50. Anze Kopitar
Absolutely criminally underrated! 50th, 50 I tell you! NO RESPECT.
42. Skinner
37. Kane
28. Stone
16. Stamkos
Those are the most laughable...it's absolutely insane. He'll NEVER get the accolades. But that's kinda what makes Kopi, Kopi. One of the all time greats of his generation.
50. Anze Kopitar
Absolutely criminally underrated! 50th, 50 I tell you! NO RESPECT.
42. Skinner
37. Kane
28. Stone
16. Stamkos
Those are the most laughable...it's absolutely insane. He'll NEVER get the accolades. But that's kinda what makes Kopi, Kopi. One of the all time greats of his generation.
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Statue4Deano
Lurker
Byfield is playing in the 2014 Justin Williams role. Williams had 19 goals on the season. Certainly more than 3 but not exactly setting the league on fire. The counting stats weren't the reason he was on the top line and why he went on to win the Conn Smythe. Williams was excellent next to Kopitar and Brown because he did the grunt work on the line and had the hockey IQ plus playmaking skills to get his linemates the puck in the dangerous areas. That is precisely what Byfield does when he's at his best. Yes he needs to shoot more. Unquestionably. But right now he's far and away the best option for that line.
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Pickle_Pucks
Lurker
Stollen from Twitter...
Career Stanley Cup Playoff Points:
Quinton Byfield: 1
Tim Stutzle: 0
Career Stanley Cup Playoff Points:
Quinton Byfield: 1
Tim Stutzle: 0
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triplcrown
Lurker
I am not the least worried about QB.
He's going to take a while, but he will be a standout player/star in time.
Nice to see him set up a goal in a PO game.
The kid is growing before our eyes, albeit in his own way, and not so much in
the scoring ledger yet (although the assists are starting to flow).
Let us not forget . . .
Tage Thompson is a late-bloomer, as is Mika Zibanejad and our own Adrian Kempe
(who was lambasted for years on this board for not scoring enough).
QB will get there, too.
BTW, I also expect Kupari to show mucho growth (esp OFFENSIVELY) over the next couple years as well.
It is true, however, that QB will need to grow his game and play even better in these POs,
for the Kings to advance.
He's going to take a while, but he will be a standout player/star in time.
Nice to see him set up a goal in a PO game.
The kid is growing before our eyes, albeit in his own way, and not so much in
the scoring ledger yet (although the assists are starting to flow).
Let us not forget . . .
Tage Thompson is a late-bloomer, as is Mika Zibanejad and our own Adrian Kempe
(who was lambasted for years on this board for not scoring enough).
QB will get there, too.
BTW, I also expect Kupari to show mucho growth (esp OFFENSIVELY) over the next couple years as well.
It is true, however, that QB will need to grow his game and play even better in these POs,
for the Kings to advance.
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Illegal_Stick
Lurker
As long as the line is clocking, QB's personal stats mean nothing to me, nor should they to anyone else. It's not unheard of to have a player on the top line that contributes less than the main two, but does a lot of the important work. Tikkanen (and yes I know QB is a whole other different player, different style etc.) did a lot of dirty work for Gretzky and Kurri. Extreme example I know. He has to improve for the sake of his own career and he will.
Now, let's go for game two! QB should get a good chance to provide some offense because Kempe is going to be dogged.
Now, let's go for game two! QB should get a good chance to provide some offense because Kempe is going to be dogged.
HeadInjury
2 Late to Change My Name
I don't think there is much similarity between Williams and Byfield, at least not yet. Byfield has one goal this year where he shot the puck and beat the goalie. One of his 3 goals was an empty netter and another was off a tip. When the puck is on his stick he essentially poses no risk to score. Goal scoring isn't the only important stat, but this is a second overall pick we are talking about.
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SaltyPuck
Lurker
It never ceases to amaze me how much ya'll like debating QB.
