A big question mark heading into the first round of the 2020 NHL draft was who the LA Kings would take with the 2nd overall selection. The answer: Quinton Byfield.
During his second full OHL season, Byfield did not disappoint. At nearly a point per game pace, the Newmarket native finished with 32 goals and 50 assists (82) in only 45 games. Byfield’s big second season came off the heels of an OHL/CHL Rookie of the Year campaign in 18/19.
Byfield also earned a spot on the Canadian World Junior team where he added an assist in his first experience at the big Christmas competition. Team Canada fans can expect bigger numbers for Byfield this Christmas at Edmonton’s Rogers Arena during the World Junior Championship – the bubble edition.
Big Rig Up the Middle
Although size does not play as big a part in the talent identification process like it used to, it is still a considerable factor. Especially positionally. Byfield currently measures in at 6’4 and already weighs 215 pounds. As he physically matures, Byfield projects into an absolute beast up the middle for the Kings – for a long time. Picture a slightly taller, left-handed version of a young Ryan Getzlaf. As the old saying goes, these types of players “don’t grow on trees.”
This is likely a big reason why the Kings could not pass up on Byfield in the second spot of this draft. Time will tell whether Mr. Byfield will be ready to go for the next NHL season, whenever that might be. Eventually though, Byfield will be a great compliment to an aging, but trying to get younger forward group in Los Angeles.
The Kings have 10 more selections in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Tomorrow the Kings have three 2nd round picks, two selections in both the 3rd and 4th, with one selection in rounds 5 -7. In other words, the Kings are in good shape the rest of the way – will they trade any of the 10 picks away? Stay tuned!
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