The other teams thread

Clif said:
Kopitar was let free to be pure offense under Crawford and had to take his game a step back to learn the 200 ft game. His production dropped initially. Last year was the first time Byfield showed a real 200 ft game from the start, and production finally picked up after.

Not saying Byfield is Kopitar, few can be, but he is going to occupy that spot. 70 points should be his target this year to really show he’s ready for number one C. Having Fiala will help him reach that number. Laf needs to progress as well to help him get there. But I’d say it has to be 60 minimum, which would still be a little disappointing.
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60-70 points is a great season for a 2C…
 
Clif said:
Kopitar was let free to be pure offense under Crawford and had to take his game a step back to learn the 200 ft game. His production dropped initially. Last year was the first time Byfield showed a real 200 ft game from the start, and production finally picked up after.

Not saying Byfield is Kopitar, few can be, but he is going to occupy that spot. 70 points should be his target this year to really show he’s ready for number one C. Having Fiala will help him reach that number. Laf needs to progress as well to help him get there. But I’d say it has to be 60 minimum, which would still be a little disappointing.
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I put Byfield at 82 points this season if he is given regular PP1 time. If I were the Kings, though, I'd put Kempe back on his line again as the two had great chemistry together and doing so would signify a changing of the guard when it comes to L1 duties.

by the end of the 23/24 season, Byfield was rated as one of the top two-way forwards in the league. He took that a step forward in 24/25 by moving to the center position full time and continuing to build his 200ft game. As stands, he is considered one of the top defensive centers in the league and now can focus on further honing his offensive skills.

To compare Byfield to Kopitar isn't a stretch, but to compare his career to Kopi's likely will be as Kopi has been able to do it consistently, season over season, more than 90+% of players to have graced the league. Would be awesome if Byfield falls into that category, when all is said and done, but Kopi really is a unicorn.
 
VCRW said:
60-70 points is a great season for a 2C…
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Yeah it is, but I think 70 is the floor for a 1C on a balanced team. Aho had 74 points in 79 games. More importantly, If he can manage 70 next year, it should be a sign that he can still exceed that number further in the coming seasons.

We’re in total wait-and-see mode. I understand the optimism as well as the reservation.
 
DryKing said:
I put Byfield at 82 points this season if he is given regular PP1 time. If I were the Kings, though, I'd put Kempe back on his line again as the two had great chemistry together and doing so would signify a changing of the guard when it comes to L1 duties.

by the end of the 23/24 season, Byfield was rated as one of the top two-way forwards in the league. He took that a step forward in 24/25 by moving to the center position full time and continuing to build his 200ft game. As stands, he is considered one of the top defensive centers in the league and now can focus on further honing his offensive skills.

To compare Byfield to Kopitar isn't a stretch, but to compare his career to Kopi's likely will be as Kopi has been able to do it consistently, season over season, more than 90+% of players to have graced the league. Would be awesome if Byfield falls into that category, when all is said and done, but Kopi really is a unicorn.
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Kempe would look excellent next to Byfield, but he has to hold the Kopitar line together with Kuzmenko. Further ahead, I wonder how Kempe would look with Fiala with Byfield between them. Didn’t work with Kopi, but Byfield has the speed.

Yes Byfield’s legitimate two way game is what encourages me most and why I regard last year’s season as a success for him. First year he has to show he’s putting it all together is this year.
 
DryKing said:
I put Byfield at 82 points this season if he is given regular PP1 time. If I were the Kings, though, I'd put Kempe back on his line again as the two had great chemistry together and doing so would signify a changing of the guard when it comes to L1 duties.

by the end of the 23/24 season, Byfield was rated as one of the top two-way forwards in the league. He took that a step forward in 24/25 by moving to the center position full time and continuing to build his 200ft game. As stands, he is considered one of the top defensive centers in the league and now can focus on further honing his offensive skills.

To compare Byfield to Kopitar isn't a stretch, but to compare his career to Kopi's likely will be as Kopi has been able to do it consistently, season over season, more than 90+% of players to have graced the league. Would be awesome if Byfield falls into that category, when all is said and done, but Kopi really is a unicorn.
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I agree with you description. I love Q’s game and have ardently supported him throughout his career. But it sounds as if you are describing a vey valuable 2C. I have not seen Q show the ability to consistently rule the ice when he is out there. Perhaps this will be the year he breaks out to own that #1 spot, but his past performance does not support that ascendancy.

And does anyone really think Hiller will demote Kopi and Drew to PP2? It needs to happen, but Hiller has shown his spots…
 
Statue4Deano said:
Kopi averages 72 points per 82 games.

He’s scored fewer than 60 points 3 times.
He’s scored between 60-70 points 8 times.
He’s scored between 71-80 points 6 times.
He’s scored 81+ points 2 times.
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Q is not Kopi. Few can be mentioned in the same sentence with #11.
 
VCRW said:
Q is not Kopi. Few can be mentioned in the same sentence with #11.
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Not a player comparison. It’s a role comparison. Kopitar filled the role of 1st line Center who scores 70 points and plays 20 minutes a night.

That is the role the organization wants Byfield to play. It’s the role he filled last season once Kopitar’s play hit a wall in January. And funny enough once Byfield was given that role his production jumped and his play improved. He’s also 22 years old (for another month).
 
VCRW said:
I agree with you description. I love Q’s game and have ardently supported him throughout his career. But it sounds as if you are describing a vey valuable 2C. I have not seen Q show the ability to consistently rule the ice when he is out there. Perhaps this will be the year he breaks out to own that #1 spot, but his past performance does not support that ascendancy.

And does anyone really think Hiller will demote Kopi and Drew to PP2? It needs to happen, but Hiller has shown his spots…
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I'm probably higher on Q than most, but even so I have to admit you are correct. Q has shown the ability to be a L1, at least to me, but he has yet to solidify the role. Part of the reason, imo, is that he has not gotten the chance with Kopi on the team, but even so he has to earn it. I would say he had dethroned Danualt as L2 center, which is a great step forward considering Danault was a L1 center on a Canadians team that made the SC Finals (which is not to say he ranked as a true L1).

With 5 forwards I think there is room on PP1 for both Byfield and Kopi, but no longer Doughty. Given Kopi, Byfield and Kempe are all solid 2-way players the Kings can get away with not have a D on the PP, but I agree with you I highly doubt Hiller can sell Doughty on that (or will even try).
 
VCRW said:
I respect your opinion but my belief is Q will probably land as a quality complementary 2C. His game has never shown either the consistency of play or the dominant attitude one sees in a true #1. However, Q will need to occupy the top slot after Kopi abdicates until the real deal arrives.
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I have no issue with disagreement. We all have our opinions. I admire your respect in this discussion.
While I cannot predict what the future for Byfield will be I think my point is that we just don’t have enough info yet. My belief at this point in time is that he still has huge upside. Whether he has the skill (and more importantly the motivation) to reach his highest level is not anything we can know. I have seen enough to know how I feel. I could easily be mistaken.
But, in the event he becomes “only” a 2C it’s hardly a disgrace.
Thanks for sharing. I do like the exchange of ideas.
 
DryKing said:
I'm probably higher on Q than most, but even so I have to admit you are correct. Q has shown the ability to be a L1, at least to me, but he has yet to solidify the role. Part of the reason, imo, is that he has not gotten the chance with Kopi on the team, but even so he has to earn it. I would say he had dethroned Danualt as L2 center, which is a great step forward considering Danault was a L1 center on a Canadians team that made the SC Finals (which is not to say he ranked as a true L1).

With 5 forwards I think there is room on PP1 for both Byfield and Kopi, but no longer Doughty. Given Kopi, Byfield and Kempe are all solid 2-way players the Kings can get away with not have a D on the PP, but I agree with you I highly doubt Hiller can sell Doughty on that (or will even try).
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It is my hope that whether DD is on the top PP unit comes down to Hiller being the Coach and not needing the approval of an aging superstar.
Hiller still has my support (probably not a large contingent) but he needs to grow into the role. Hiller needs to coach this team.
While I think the coach-player relationship can be difficult or testy, and some other sports have a penchant for giving players too much input (imo) this is the time for Hiller to make some difficult decisions and have conversations with players who may not be terribly receptive. I’m not entirely sure that it should come down to whether Doughty can be sold on it. (I will admit that I have never been a huge fan of Doughty on the power play.).

The Kings can go with five forwards on the top unit. But the forward at the top has to be able to defend. We saw Kempe in the position and while it does make sense, it also took Kempe away from a spot where he was productive. That will be part of the decision as to who will be on the top PP unit.
 
DryKing said:
I put Byfield at 82 points this season if he is given regular PP1 time. If I were the Kings, though, I'd put Kempe back on his line again as the two had great chemistry together and doing so would signify a changing of the guard when it comes to L1 duties.
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80 points is a stretch because of the system Hiller plays. Hiller’s rigid structure plus the types of blueliners currently on the roster puts an offensive cap on every forward on the team.

QB on any other contending team in the West would likely be a PPG next season.

These predictions/projections go out the window if the Kings have a strong PP. A strong PP will boost all of the top forwards productivity by 10+ points.
 
Statue4Deano said:
Not a player comparison. It’s a role comparison. Kopitar filled the role of 1st line Center who scores 70 points and plays 20 minutes a night.

That is the role the organization wants Byfield to play. It’s the role he filled last season once Kopitar’s play hit a wall in January. And funny enough once Byfield was given that role his production jumped and his play improved. He’s also 22 years old (for another month).
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Which Byfield are we going to see this year? The one who started last season or the one who finished it? Before last season we all were anticipating a banner year from Q and he came out flat. One could say he actually showed some regression from his previous successes. We all cut him slack for the change of positions. But my observation is about attitude. He hasn’t consistently shown the confidence and leadership that most 1Cs demonstrate by the time they are 23. Hope he fully emerges from Kopi’s shadow this time.
 
Statue4Deano said:
80 points is a stretch because of the system Hiller plays. Hiller’s rigid structure plus the types of blueliners currently on the roster puts an offensive cap on every forward on the team.

QB on any other contending team in the West would likely be a PPG next season.

These predictions/projections go out the window if the Kings have a strong PP. A strong PP will boost all of the top forwards productivity by 10+ points.
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Agreed. I think the difference between a 60 point and 80 point season for Byfield will come down to the power play (A - being on it and B - how effective it is).

Also fair point regarding the Kings play style. 82 points is definitely bullish, considering, and probably not entirely realistic but I'm going to stick with it.

Last season he had 54 points, only 7 coming from the PP. In a realistic season, if spending regular time on PP1, he should have at least 20 PPP. That would leave him at roughly 67 points last season had he been a PP1 regular. This year he should put up at least 10 more points than last year to be considered a successful year. He's A) now accustomed to playing center in the NHL B) has another season of experience (able to process the game faster, etc) and C) really took a step forward towards the end of last season.

It's a good question though. How much will Hiller's system hold him back and can he take another step forward in terms of development.
 
VCRW said:
Which Byfield are we going to see this year? The one who started last season or the one who finished it? Before last season we all were anticipating a banner year from Q and he came out flat. One could say he actually showed some regression from his previous successes. We all cut him slack for the change of positions. But my observation is about attitude. He hasn’t consistently shown the confidence and leadership that most 1Cs demonstrate by the time they are 23. Hope he fully emerges from Kopi’s shadow this time.
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I think it’s wise to remember that his 23 contains a good amount of missed time. I expect a big year from QB now that he’s firmly established as a C and has had some decent success. We will see.
 
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