LA Kings: R-E-L-A-X, the Quinton Byfield 2021 World Juniors Edition

Everyone needs to take a deep breath when it comes to LA Kings second overall pick Quinton Byfield.

I’m reminded of the Aaron Rodgers quote, when he responded to reporters’ questions regarding the Green Bay Packers slow start in 2014, “R-E-L-A-X” he stated with much confidence. Any critics of LA Kings 2020 second overall pick Quinton Byfield’s performance so far in the World Juniors tournament should be telling themselves the same thing. Relax.

Team Canada opened their World Junior tournament against the undermanned Germans yesterday, and much to no one’s surprise, it was a blowout. I mean, the game ended 16-2.

It’s difficult to critique a game when you have Team Canada, heavily favored to win the tournament, going against a German team with only 14 skaters, but the critics showed up anyway. And all of the critiques seemed directed straight toward Quinton Byfield, unfairly so.

In what felt like a meaningless game by the end of the first period, Byfield was credited with one assist and had the least amount of ice time among all forwards. As much as all LA Kings fans would love to see Byfield score a hat trick in every tournament game, we need to remind ourselves that he is STILL the youngest player on an absolutely stacked Canadian team.

Quinton Byfield is going to be a star in the NHL. He will be the first-line center for the Los Angeles Kings, possibly as soon as next year. His performance in this tournament should have no real impact on his expectations going forward, and everyone needs to realize that.

Let’s all sit back and enjoy the opportunity to watch some competitive hockey in a world of chaos, and hope we don’t get any more 16-2 results. Team Canada plays Team Slovakia and LA Kings 2020 fifth-round pick Martin Chromiak on Sunday afternoon.