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

[symbology]

Well, someone was playing with Kopi and Kempe for the first 38+/- games and it was not QB. You remember those games, Kopi and Kempe were not doing much. In the last 20+/- that QB has been playing with them they both have been playing much better. Almost matching the point totals in the 20 games with QB as the previous 38+/- I see QB as a much improved player this year that has been the "spark" on the first line. This is the first time that he has looked decent on the ice. This was his first step in the right direction. Give the kid some more time.

Here is something I just found on twitter. Looks like someone else, and some stats agree with what I have been seeing the last few months. I recall in QB first few games on the top line, Kopi and Kempe were blowing scoring chances as they were not expecting QB to make the plays. He is the new Iafallo on that line and he has been driving it for a while now.

https://twitter.com/JWPatarino/status/1631780246457401347?s=20

 

[Bollocks]

Here is something I just found on twitter. Looks like someone else, and some stats agree with what I have been seeing the last few months. I recall in QB first few games on the top line, Kopi and Kempe were blowing scoring chances as they were not expecting QB to make the plays. He is the new Iafallo on that line and he has been driving it for a while now.

https://twitter.com/JWPatarino/status/1631780246457401347?s=20

That's because he understands the game and is willing to sacrifice instant personal success for higher goals. He's a high IQ player, is coachable and is mentored by Kopitar now. He's able to do what the top line needs without risky plays to show off his offensive prowess, without selfish outbursts. And once he gets even more comfortable playing against the top lines of other teams and gains confidence he will become a reliable offensive weapon, too.

Come playoff time, this top line could become an even bigger contributor in all aspects. Let's just hope hope hope there are no serious injuries and they will be golden.

 

[Rogie-Vachon]

Kid had a blast in NY… which apparently is a full blown secret…

 

[Pevsfreedom]

Kid had a blast in NY… which apparently is a full blown secret…

Lol I was confused by that question and he got so red. Obvious inside thing? I thought for a second he was from there maybe.

 

[Jran]

Byfield is terrible....maybe...maybe...in 3 years we can expect a 3rd 4th line winger with 10 goals and 40 pts...maybe...minus pp he gets more ice than 22..and that's a crime...you know our point leader...he should be no where near top line minutes...Kopitar and juice have almost 90 points between them...he has what 15....on the same line??? This is a bust..but we know what he represents...so we will keep him until the wheels fall off..

 

[Mr_Conie]

he'll be ok - too young
i was hoping for more too but you gotta wait...

 

[Ice24]

Patience, everybody develops differently. He is learning how to be a pro and playing against the best, he will only get better. Probably more downs that ups at this point, however he will be better for it.

 

[Kingscup4426]

only silver lining is that it took Kempe what felt like several NHl seasons to find any semblance of a groove, but, he clearly found his game and hoping QB can too.

 

[RagBone]

Byfield is terrible....maybe...maybe...in 3 years we can expect a 3rd 4th line winger with 10 goals and 40 pts...maybe...minus pp he gets more ice than 22..and that's a crime...you know our point leader...he should be no where near top line minutes...Kopitar and juice have almost 90 points between them...he has what 15....on the same line??? This is a bust..but we know what he represents...so we will keep him until the wheels fall off..

Delusional, much? It's no coincidence that both Kopi and Kempe nhae been on tears since January 1st, which also coincides with QB being inserted into that line. His physical presence is exactly what those two need to be productive. If you meant to say he is terribly important to that line, I concur.

 

[emsomaso]

In the 25 games played since the beginning of January, the top line has produced like this:

Kopitar 15g 14a = 29p with a +/- of +11
Kempe 16g 9a = 25p with a +/- of +12
Byfield 2g 11a = 13p with a +/- of +6

And Kings as a team has won 16 games and lost 9 of which we got a point in 2. So a total of 34 points of 50 possible!

We are well on our way of making the playoffs for a second straight time with a young and upcoming team, several experts talk about us as a potential threat in the playoffs and people here are still complaining about our 20 year old kid who plays on one of the leagues hottest lines on one of the leagues best teams and calling him both useless and a bust!

Sometimes this place is just :yuckkkk::WTF2:

 

[Helvetica]

I said at the beginning of the year, i was hoping to see him hit 40 pts. With how many games he missed that probably wont happen, but he's on a point per game pace that he probably would have hit it in a full season. If he keeps doing what he's been doing since playing oin the 1st line, i'll be happy with how this season turned out for him.

 

[DRGinLBC]

Honest question. Is Byfield afraid to shoot the puck? Every time he has the puck, I've noticed he looks around to get rid of it even though many times he's had a clear shot at net (IMO).

Is it just me?

He's frustrating to watch and looks slow/clumsy half of the time.

 

[Kingscup4426]

Honest question. Is Byfield afraid to shoot the puck? Every time he has the puck, I've noticed he looks around to get rid of it even though many times he's had a clear shot at net (IMO).

Is it just me?

He's frustrating to watch and looks slow/clumsy half of the time.

He might be, perhaps a confidence issue. He is young and maybe not comfortable taking a shot when he feels Kopi or Kempe could bury it?

Listening to the postgame interview with Vilardi, one of the things he credits with some of his success this year is something to the effect of not being afraid to shoot the puck. Not sure if young guys just don't want to get a label of selfish or truly lack confidence, but it was an interesting response from Vilardi and maybe QB has some of that feeling too.

 

[beedee]

I think he was overhyped, people were talking about how they wanted his name/number on their Kings jersey before he even stepped foot on Staples ice. Hoping he matures and lives up to the hype. As we saw with Villardi, it took a lot of time, some stints down in Ontario and it seems like this season has been his breakout season! Seeing confidence AND creativity from him now, almost has a (and I hate this word) swagger when you see him out on the ice now. That goal the other night when he undressed BINZO the CLOWN was so sick!

 

[Kingscup4426]

All that being said, and too Beedee's point, I don't really see any path to him reaching what you would want a 2nd overall pick to become. I hope I am wrong, but I just don't see it.

Keep in mind Drew Doughty was a #2 overall pick

 

[Bill Hicks]

I think he was overhyped, people were talking about how they wanted his name/number on their Kings jersey before he even stepped foot on Staples ice. Hoping he matures and lives up to the hype. As we saw with Villardi, it took a lot of time, some stints down in Ontario and it seems like this season has been his breakout season! Seeing confidence AND creativity from him now, almost has a (and I hate this word) swagger when you see him out on the ice now. That goal the other night when he undressed BINZO the CLOWN was so sick!

I like that!

QB has improved slow and steady. His passing is very good in the o-zone.
The pass to Mikey thread a couple of needles.
Who knows what he'll eventually end up being but, he's ours and I'm all for
being patient and I like the outside the box thinking of having him on Kopi's wing.
He's learning from the best and developing good habits.

Same kind of thinking as with Kupari being challenged to be a defensive force with
serious skill. He's still a kid (literally) who's gonna get bigger and better.

 

[jammer06]

All that being said, and too Beedee's point, I don't really see any path to him reaching what you would want a 2nd overall pick to become. I hope I am wrong, but I just don't see it.

Keep in mind Drew Doughty was a #2 overall pick

If it wasn't for both attitude and injury concerns Gabe was a consensus number 3 in his draft year, number 2 that year was Nolan Patrick, Number 1 was Nico. I'm pretty sure we'd take Nico now, not so sure we'd take Nolan.

 

[Helvetica]

Honest question. Is Byfield afraid to shoot the puck? Every time he has the puck, I've noticed he looks around to get rid of it even though many times he's had a clear shot at net (IMO).

Is it just me?

He's frustrating to watch and looks slow/clumsy half of the time.

most young players are. They're still getting adjusted to the flow of the game. Additionally, im convinced coach has asked him to go out there and work on his forechecking and board work. Make plays. They say the same thing to every new player on teh roster, and to the team as a whole. Check for your chances. Go out there and work on teh little parts of the game that allow you to be a full time NHL player. He's nearly always F1, which means his most likely play on the puck will be a pass. The goals will come, but he's always been considered a play maker over a scorer.

 

[emsomaso]

In the 25 games played since the beginning of January, the top line has produced like this:

Kopitar 15g 14a = 29p with a +/- of +11
Kempe 16g 9a = 25p with a +/- of +12
Byfield 2g 11a = 13p with a +/- of +6

And Kings as a team has won 16 games and lost 9 of which we got a point in 2. So a total of 34 points of 50 possible!

We are well on our way of making the playoffs for a second straight time with a young and upcoming team, several experts talk about us as a potential threat in the playoffs and people here are still complaining about our 20 year old kid who plays on one of the leagues hottest lines on one of the leagues best teams and calling him both useless and a bust!

Sometimes this place is just :yuckkkk::WTF2:

I would say that in game nr 26 this year our top line did pretty okay too… ;-)

 

[santiclaws]

NHL.com noted that QB's 5 game assist streak is the longest in the NHL this season by any player 20 or younger.