Going into the 2025-26 regular season this past fall, the expectations were high surrounding Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield.
The former No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft lottery is viewed as one of the franchise’s foundational players moving forward at the center position.
After the coaching change to D.J. Smith, both Byfield and the Kings became much more effective offensively late in the season. Byfield helped fuel that improvement by scoring double-digit goals over the final 20 games of the regular season.
Quinton Byfield's performance for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2025-26 season
In total, Byfield registered 24 goals, 25 assists, and 49 total points in 79 games played this past regular season. He also registered two assists and two total points in four postseason games played this spring.
There were still stretches earlier in the season where Byfield struggled to consistently impose himself offensively despite his elite physical tools. At his best, Byfield showed flashes of becoming the type of dominant two-way power center the Kings hope to build around long-term.
He played through the last part of this past regular season and the postseason for the Kings with a torn oblique. He suffered a torn oblique on the right side of his body after the Olympic break a few months ago. But even when that injury healed, Byfield tore his oblique on the left side of his body.
Byfield caught fire offensively late in the year, recording more than a dozen goals and 19 points over the final stretch of the regular season, including six goals in nine games during April. While Byfield showed significant growth offensively down the stretch this past regular season, expectations remain extremely high given his draft pedigree and long-term importance to the franchise.
2025-26 Season Grade: C
What to expect from Quinton Byfield moving forward with the Los Angeles Kings in the 2026-27 season?
Entering the 2026-27 season, Byfield is expected to step into the role of the Kings’ top-line center following Anze Kopitar’s retirement. Los Angeles will increasingly rely on Byfield to take the next offensive step and begin fulfilling the expectations that come with being a former No. 2 overall pick.
For Los Angeles to take another step forward in the Pacific Division, Byfield must become a more consistent top-line offensive threat while continuing to improve in the faceoff circle during key situations.
I would expect Byfield to center the top forward line for the Kings next season alongside wingers Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin. Byfield’s combination of size, skating ability, puck control, and power-forward traits continues to hint at an even higher offensive ceiling.
Skating alongside Kempe and Panarin could also create the best offensive environment of Byfield’s career.
The Kings are no longer simply waiting for Byfield’s breakout. Entering next season, Los Angeles will increasingly rely on him to become one of the franchise’s primary offensive drivers as the organization transitions toward a younger core.
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