The Los Angeles Kings expect large issues from Quinton Byfield this season. Whereas it’s solely been the preseason, Byfield is exhibiting his skills and abilities to be a famous person within the NHL.
The second total decide from the 2020 NHL Draft took a while to develop. This made sense as a result of he misplaced the time as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. He didn’t have the correct seasons in junior and with the Kings to completely develop.
NHL Rumors: The Los Angeles Kings Have a Couple of Points to Begin the Season
Although he frolicked within the AHL through the 2020-21 season, it was not a full season however a shortened one. He additionally performed in six video games with the Kings that season.
Over the subsequent couple of seasons, he break up time between the AHL and NHL earlier than turning into a full-time NHL participant final yr with the Kings. Final season, Byfield recorded 55 factors (20 objectives and 35 assists), which earned him a brand new five-year contract price $31.25 million with a wage cap of $6.25 million within the preseason.
Within the ultimate two video games of the preseason, Byfield appeared like a participant who was being paid like he was a $6.25 million participant.
On Thursday night time (October third) vs the Boston Bruins, who dressed an everyday NHL lineup minus Jeremy Swayman, Byfield recorded a hat trick. He had a few good deflections going to the online, along with his first objective approaching 2-on-1 with Kevin Fiala.
Byfield has extra management over the puck, and his recreation continues to develop as he good points extra confidence. His teammates are taking discover.
“I like what I see from Q. You realize the vitality he convey Itt’s very updated and dynamic. It looks as if he needs to step up at heart as properly, which is a place we must be higher at,” Kings ahead Philip Danault mentioned when requested about if he’s group was higher this yr. “Yeah, he brings that completely different line dynamic for us, and it’s large. I imply, we take a look at different groups and so they have like these Jack Hughes, you may have ability like that, and we’ve that participant so we will make some good issues.”
NHL Information: Panthers, Oilers, Waivers, Youngsters, and Harm Updates
It appears that if Byfield goes to proceed his stellar play, which noticed him decide up a pleasant help on Trevor Moore‘s objective. He skated into the zone, misplaced management of the puck, caught with it, and made a backhand cross to extra, his ice time will enhance.
“Yeah, after all,” Danault mentioned when requested if he thinks Byfield might eat into his minutes. “I imply, in case you rating three objectives each night time, why not? You deserve it, although? Yeah, work exhausting, and he needs to be completely different, so he deserves simply minutes, perhaps not mine.”
Quinton Byfield appears to be a pure heart and has been taking part in heart for a number of years within the league. Although he performed on the wing at occasions final yr, Byfield is wanting extra assured on the heart place as he continues to develop into his position with the Kings this season.
“He’s been nice ever since he got here in. You realize, he’s second total, in order that’s simply what we anticipate from him,” Adrian Kempe mentioned of Byfield’s play at heart and the hat trick on Thursday night time. “However no, I’m simply kidding, however he’s been, he’s been nice, and he seems to be far more, you already know, assured for each season, for each recreation he performs. You realize, he seems to be higher and higher. So, I imply it’s nice for us.”
“Loads of enjoyable to see him dominate, such as you mentioned. He’s utilizing his large physique now, and you already know his ability. So like to see him making performs and simply be courageous,” Fiala mentioned of Byfield’s play.
Byfield has caught the eye of not solely his teammates but in addition Kings Head Coach Jim Hiller.
“He performed properly. He has performed properly, although. I imply, I assume you may say he completed the the second objective was simply in entrance of the online. Third objectives, you already know, driving by means of on the ability play. First objective was very nice, nice play by Kevin. However he’s performed like I feel for me, he’s performed like that because the starting of camp,” Hiller mentioned after the sport on Thursday night time. “Possibly didn’t rating three objectives. I assume that’s going to be a part of the storyline. However he’s simply taking part in. He’s simply taking part in. And I don’t suppose he did something tonight that was extraordinary, simply taking part in his recreation.”
NHL Rumors: How Will the Los Angeles Kings Change Drew Doughty
The Kings have depth down the center now with Anze Kopitar, Danuault, and Byfield. And with the best way all three play you’d by no means know that they had three traces. Every heart is taking part in very comparable and whoever goes will get extra of the ice time. Over the weekend it was Quinton Byfield.
Byfield understands he nonetheless must develop different elements of his recreation, like within the defensive zone, however that may change with time. All of the greats know areas they should enhance like faceoffs, defensive zone play, and so on. However having a mentor like Kopitar with the Los Angeles Kings will make issues a clean transition for at any time when the Kings captain ever decides to retire.
Because the season approaches with no Drew Doughty within the lineup, anticipate large issues from Quinton Byfield this season as he seems to be to take one other step in his improvement with the Los Angeles Kings.
