For the amrchair scouts out there, what do you see in Byfield?

[jammer06]

I think the book on him will be acceptably out until the end of next season. Would we want it to happen sooner, sure, but if you're waiting for a jumbo jet to take off and looking at a runway for a 737 there's stuff that's not going to work. Remember last year at this time he was getting us all excited when at the WJC he would have played at that was cancelled he had 6 points against the Swiss (2g, 4a) and was the top line center. That he didn't play in the rescheduled WJC in August was an entirely different function.

Remember evaluating Q against Stu doesn't mean beans, I mean you could also be evaluating him against Laf and by that measure even LGK is definitely comfortable.

What do I see, a young player whose skating and balance is really improving against top line competition. Is playing the F1 role to help cover his defensive liabilities, but isn't doing them poorly. Occasionally his vision pops with some of his passing so we know it's in there. The shot is one thing where I don't think he's got a quick trigger finger, and i don't anticipate him overpowering goalies. But getting to areas where his shot can be useful seems within his capability. Working a give go, starting a play to drive the back post, or even setting a cross ice pass for backside garbage seems like how he's going to score a lot of goals. Those are all good plays for a center to be involved in. The kid needs reps, and that he is getting them while the team is in a playoff race is a testament to everyone to get this thing to work. Otherwise I would be eminently comfortable sending him back to the A and telling him to go dominate while the kings got to business. I simply wouldn't knock him for it if that's what the best course for his development was.

 

[jgs]

QB is not an elite player and should not have been drafted in the draft position he was. He might turn out to be a 4th liner at best in the NHL.

 

[DryKing]

Since moving to the top line he has been progressing steadily and doing so typically against the other teams top players. He has also helped to improve and solidify the line but has played much more of a support role, rather than offensive threat role. The area of his game he needs to improve on most right now is reading coverage, especially in the defensive zone. He's had the luxury of using his size and speed in lower leagues to make up for slow mental processing of reads, but no longer has that luxury in the NHL which can result in him getting behind the play and then using his stick in the wrong way to try and close the gap (typically resulting in a penalty).

Overall he is progressing nicely, though, but still another 1-2 seasons away from being an impact player. The thing that will help him most right now is getting NHL games/experience under his belt to help with his reads, and as others have said, growing into his body.

 

[VCRW]

I think the book on him will be acceptably out until the end of next season. Would we want it to happen sooner, sure, but if you're waiting for a jumbo jet to take off and looking at a runway for a 737 there's stuff that's not going to work. Remember last year at this time he was getting us all excited when at the WJC he would have played at that was cancelled he had 6 points against the Swiss (2g, 4a) and was the top line center. That he didn't play in the rescheduled WJC in August was an entirely different function.

Remember evaluating Q against Stu doesn't mean beans, I mean you could also be evaluating him against Laf and by that measure even LGK is definitely comfortable.

What do I see, a young player whose skating and balance is really improving against top line competition. Is playing the F1 role to help cover his defensive liabilities, but isn't doing them poorly. Occasionally his vision pops with some of his passing so we know it's in there. The shot is one thing where I don't think he's got a quick trigger finger, and i don't anticipate him overpowering goalies. But getting to areas where his shot can be useful seems within his capability. Working a give go, starting a play to drive the back post, or even setting a cross ice pass for backside garbage seems like how he's going to score a lot of goals. Those are all good plays for a center to be involved in. The kid needs reps, and that he is getting them while the team is in a playoff race is a testament to everyone to get this thing to work. Otherwise I would be eminently comfortable sending him back to the A and telling him to go dominate while the kings got to business. I simply wouldn't knock him for it if that's what the best course for his development was.

I agree that spending some time with the Reign may be good for his confidence. But he not only needs reps on the ice, he needs even more reps in the gym. At his size, there needs to be more power in the package.

I think my frustration with the team constantly blowing leads has now bled over into frustration with QB. But the kid is playing with 2 line mates with elite skill, including a future HOF guy. He needs to show he is "getting it" on more than just 1 or 2 shifts per game. Just looking for some of that "special" stuff the scouting guys saw when he was in Juniors.

I really hope to be less grumpy about this kid, dammit! Hope he catches some kind of fire soon.

 

[jammer06]

I agree that spending some time with the Reign may be good for his confidence. But he not only needs reps on the ice, he needs even more reps in the gym. At his size, there needs to be more power in the package.

I think my frustration with the team constantly blowing leads has now bled over into frustration with QB. But the kid is playing with 2 line mates with elite skill, including a future HOF guy. He needs to show he is "getting it" on more than just 1 or 2 shifts per game. Just looking for some of that "special" stuff the scouting guys saw when he was in Juniors.

I really hope to be less grumpy about this kid, dammit! Hope he catches some kind of fire soon.

The kid definitely still growing, I mean maybe after its all over the best he can be is Handzus. For a number 2 overall sure you could be disappointed in that, or happy if that's what you needed to win a cup. But yeah I'm definitely concerned that Todd doesn't lose the room in his grooming Q moves. It's a balancing act for sure.

 

[VCRW]

The kid definitely still growing, I mean maybe after its all over the best he can be is Handzus. For a number 2 overall sure you could be disappointed in that, or happy if that's what you needed to win a cup. But yeah I'm definitely concerned that Todd doesn't lose the room in his grooming Q moves. It's a balancing act for sure.

I know Todd is trying to spread out the goal-scorers, but I think the team offense would benefit by putting Gabe back with Kopi and Juice thus giving the Kings back a real top line.

 

[jammer06]

I know Todd is trying to spread out the goal-scorers, but I think the team offense would benefit by putting Gabe back with Kopi and Juice thus giving the Kings back a real top line.

With Moore out I think he was hoping that Danaults line would do that duty with Fiala so he could back off on Q's deployment (and Kopi's). The big issue is that Fiala simply shouldn't be out there for top deployments. Fiala's better at being better than the opposition than matching up to equal opposition, if that makes any sense.

 

[LAKingSteve]

I have to believe that the folks that are responsible for evaluating the team's current talent still believe in him over what any of us armchair scouts thing or they would have unloaded him at this point. If they didn't and AZ wanted him as part of potential Chychrun trade, they would have had the perfect opportunity to unload him.

 

[VCRW]

I have to believe that the folks that are responsible for evaluating the team's current talent still believe in him over what any of us armchair scouts thing or they would have unloaded him at this point. If they didn't and AZ wanted him as part of potential Chychrun trade, they would have had the perfect opportunity to unload him.

Most of us haven't seen him at practice or in Ontario. The only data most of us can use to make observations and judgements are the NHL games. And what I have seen during the games is a kid who doesn't think or react quickly enough to be successful playing first line at the NHL level. I am not saying it isn't ever gonna happen for the kid, but I really do think the team will be better served in this race to the playoffs by putting Gabe back on the wing with 11 and 9.

 

[Ice24]

I say he is still very young. He wasn't the pick I wanted the Kings to take but I understand why they picked him.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

I get the disappointment that he’s not showing more, but I have to say for all the “he sucks” and “he has no skill” and “he never accomplished anything” folks - you may not know a whole lot about hockey. He’s not putting up numbers, but he holds his own on the top line. They are an effective line so he’s not dragging them down. That in and of itself shows he has skill. He’s keeping pace with two elite players. Would I like more? Yeah, we all would, but if you think he’s no good and will never amount to anything, I think you are very wrong.

 

[s7even]

Watched him again during the Isles game and he just seems so scared to be wrong. Had a moment in the 3rd where he got the puck hear the half wall and could've taken it to the middle for a shot, but he defers and passes. It's like the Kopi bug has been passed on to him. He's still got a centerman's mindset instead of a winger's one.

I'll give him some time to build up strength to win board battles, but I'd like to see him improve this year on passing/receiving passes and making good hockey reads (i.e. getting to open spaces for his linemates). Just haven't seen that all year and it's been disappointing. I don't even care about points, but at least, get opportunities with the best playmaker on the Kings as well as the best goalscorer.

 

[DarkLeftHand]

I get the disappointment that he’s not showing more, but I have to say for all the “he sucks” and “he has no skill” and “he never accomplished anything” folks - you may not know a whole lot about hockey. He’s not putting up numbers, but he holds his own on the top line. They are an effective line so he’s not dragging them down. That in and of itself shows he has skill. He’s keeping pace with two elite players. Would I like more? Yeah, we all would, but if you think he’s no good and will never amount to anything, I think you are very wrong.

I will chime in here because I definitely, in a moment of extreme angst after the loss to NJ, posted that he EFFing sucks. Clearly this kid has incredible skating skill and speed, knows how to handle the puck, probably shoots fairly well when not under NHL level pressure, but the problem is.. he has not been able to put it together while playing with extremely talented players who ARE scoring. It’s like he’s barely involved in any scoring plays at all. Yes, he’s an effective F1 forward in a forechecking role, but.. that’s why I said we basically drafted Trevor Lewis at 2nd overall. I’ve been saying this since the WJC where he scored 6 points against the Swiss but was completely absent the entire rest of the tournament. Lots of running around, very little productivity. He should have DOMINATED at that level, against his youthful peers.

Is there a chance he blooms like Tage Thompson? Of course, he could eventually figure it out, but I don’t think his processing is going to catch up to the skill set he possesses. All the tools, no toolbox.

 

[s7even]

Tage Thompson is partially dangerous because of his reach. Byfield ain't getting close with that short stick of his.

 

[SirJW]

The goal by Kaliyev from Kupari highlights how far Byfield is from these two youngsters.

I hate to pour it on, but in the 3rd the Kings were forechecking and Byfield was on his way behind the Islanders goal about to take control and out of nowhere just falls over himself giving up possession.

 

[Kurisu]

 

[Illegal_Stick]

I will chime in here because I definitely, in a moment of extreme angst after the loss to NJ, posted that he EFFing sucks. Clearly this kid has incredible skating skill and speed, knows how to handle the puck, probably shoots fairly well when not under NHL level pressure, but the problem is.. he has not been able to put it together while playing with extremely talented players who ARE scoring. It’s like he’s barely involved in any scoring plays at all. Yes, he’s an effective F1 forward in a forechecking role, but.. that’s why I said we basically drafted Trevor Lewis at 2nd overall. I’ve been saying this since the WJC where he scored 6 points against the Swiss but was completely absent the entire rest of the tournament. Lots of running around, very little productivity. He should have DOMINATED at that level, against his youthful peers.

Is there a chance he blooms like Tage Thompson? Of course, he could eventually figure it out, but I don’t think his processing is going to catch up to the skill set he possesses. All the tools, no toolbox.

Yup and that’s basically what I’m saying. If you’re saying he’s a disappointment so far, you’re right. If you’re saying it’s hopeless and he sucks, that’s way too far right now. I have certainly had these moments too.

 

[Pevsfreedom]

The goal by Kaliyev from Kupari highlights how far Byfield is from these two youngsters.

I hate to pour it on, but in the 3rd the Kings were forechecking and Byfield was on his way behind the Islanders goal about to take control and out of nowhere just falls over himself giving up possession.

Yeah I actually laughed out loud when he spilled - when he's not doing that he's softly passing it to the opposition. If he improves a lot, I think he might be 4th line material. I don't know anything about hockey tho.

I get the disappointment that he’s not showing more, but I have to say for all the “he sucks” and “he has no skill” and “he never accomplished anything” folks - you may not know a whole lot about hockey. He’s not putting up numbers, but he holds his own on the top line. They are an effective line so he’s not dragging them down. That in and of itself shows he has skill. He’s keeping pace with two elite players. Would I like more? Yeah, we all would, but if you think he’s no good and will never amount to anything, I think you are very wrong.

I could be on the ice with Kopitar and Kempe and they'd probably do just fine. My opinion is meaningless on the subject however, but his play and the current facts outweigh any potential "what if's" based around his junior play/being a 2nd overall. I do wish him success and hope he improves.

 

[Stormy2213]

The goal by Kaliyev from Kupari highlights how far Byfield is from these two youngsters.

I hate to pour it on, but in the 3rd the Kings were forechecking and Byfield was on his way behind the Islanders goal about to take control and out of nowhere just falls over himself giving up possession.

Like Brown used to do his entire career.

 

[VCRW]

Yup and that’s basically what I’m saying. If you’re saying he’s a disappointment so far, you’re right. If you’re saying it’s hopeless and he sucks, that’s way too far right now. I have certainly had these moments too.

It's way too soon to say it's hopeless and he sucks. My problem with management is having the kid make the transition from center to winger while playing on the top line.

When Vilardi went through that same process, he was sent to Ontario to relearn the game from that position. Byfield probably would have benefited from the same experience. If management is convinced QB's future is as a winger, why not put him in a place where he can get more hands-on guidance and be allowed to grow into the position? Right now, his decision making and his skill level are not up to NHL first line standards. This is simple, observable reality

Hey -- it worked with Gabe. Why would it have been any different for QB? Of course, it's too late now to break up the roster with only 22 games left in a very tight playoff race. Just wish the Kings had sent him down earlier in the season. I think management may have made it harder on the kid with their decision to have him learn on the job.