LA Kings Draft: It’s official, welcome home Quinton Byfield
By Ryan Sikes
The LA Kings have selected Quinton Byfield with the second overall pick.
After months of speculating and mock drafts projecting how the top three picks in the 2020 NHL Draft, the LA Kings have made their choice. Quinton Byfield. A true number one center with electric speed and offensive abilities. He joins the Kings’ prospect pool that is already littered with centerman prospects. Here’s everything you need to know about the newest LA King.
Welcome to Los Angeles, Quinton.
LAK are picking Byfield.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) October 6, 2020
Measurements
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 214 pounds
- Age: 18
- Shot: L
Rankings
- #2 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
- #2 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
- #4 by ISS HOCKEY
- #3 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
- #3 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
- #2 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
- #2 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
- #3 by TSN/McKenzie
Production
Scouting Reports
“Where most skaters seek out space; Byfield carries the puck like a power running back in the NFL. Blessed with a 6-foot-4 frame, explosive skating stride, and extremely gifted hands, this is a player who always wants the puck on his stick. A fantastic transporter of the puck, deploying a wide array of rush patterns to adjust to defensive fronts.” – Elite Prospects
“He’s a highly intelligent playmaker with a ton of skill which is not something you see from a 6’4” 215lbs player very often. The beauty of Byfield is that some of the knocks against him are that he’s too easy to take down and that he doesn’t “compete”. To me, the latter is not true at all, and the former is part of his skating style, and will not be an issue as he continues to grow. I think Byfield could comfortably put on another 15-20lbs and not lose any speed. At that point..good luck stopping him.” – Dylan Galloway/Head Scout of Eastern Canada
“Byfield is an obvious physical presence but one who is able to dictate the terms over opponents without playing dirty or undisciplined. He is an effective backchecker and occasionally pressures on the forecheck, but it’s his ability to read plays and get that necessary extra step that helps him create turnovers before quickly transitioning the other way. Byfield is very good on faceoffs (over 52 percent success rate) and is a solid penalty killer who pressures the points.” – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst