It has been a busy few months for Quinton Byfield as he signed a five-year extension worth $31.25 million with the Los Angeles Kings and has been focused on moving back to center after playing on the wing last season. The move was not necessarily because he was bad, in fact, he had a breakout season as he had 20 goals and 55 points in 80 games.
However, a move back to center brings him back to where he has a lot of experience and with it comes plenty of expectations. The departure of Pierre-Luc Dubois this offseason creates an opportunity for him to step in as the center on the second line.
After practice on Friday, Byfield was asked about the move back to center and how it is going. "I feel like I was more comfortable today going through the drills and practice definitely helps getting the routes better, the timing, and even getting used to the wingers," said Byfield.
He was also asked what specifically he worked on over the summer and mentioned again the timing of working the middle of the ice.
Quinton Byfield will definitely needs to earn a spot on that second line with the Los Angeles Kings
As much as fans are hoping Byfield is the center on the second line, head coach Jim Hiller won't be handing that over to him. Over the first two days of practice, Byfield has been on the third line alongside Kevin Fiala and free agent signing Warren Foegele.
Right now, it appears that Phillip Danault is in line to lead the second line with Trevor Moore, Arthur Kaliyev, or Tanner Jeannot based on the groups and lines.
This season, Byfield is going to be one of those pivotal players that could determine the success, or lack thereof, that the Kings have depending on how he develops and improves over last season.