Over the past few seasons, it has been clear who has been the best players on the Los Angeles Kings. This includes players like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty but these players are getting older and this player looks to be the future for the franchise. Let's take a closer look at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft second overall pick Quinton Byfield entering the 2024-25 season.
LA Kings Player Profile: Quinton Byfield
Position: RW
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 225 pounds
2023-24 Stats
Games Played: 80
Goals: 20
Assists: 35
Points: 55
+/-: 19
Average Ice Time: 16:29
What to expect from Quinton Byfield in 2024-25 for the Los Angeles Kings?
This past season was a breakout year for Quinton Byfield with career highs in all the stats listed above. The Kings recognized the performance and signed the restricted free agent to a 5-year deal worth $31.25 million.
The hope, and the Kings really need this, is for Byfield to not only match those totals but build on them. However, he will likely be playing a new role and will need to continue to produce without Anze Kopitar playing next to him.
The thought is that Byfield will now be the center on the second line and replace Pierre-Luc Dubios, who was traded to the Washington Capitals for goalie Darcy Kuemper. While Byfield played right wing last season, he has experience at center and played there during the 2021-22 season. That year he had a career high 273 faceoffs with a win percentage of 45.4%.
If the Los Angeles Kings get back to the playoffs, and possibly make a deep run, it is hard to imagine Quinton Byfield not being a big reason for that success this season. He is entering this season with very high expectations.