LA Kings Select Quinton Byfield with 2nd Overall Pick in NHL Draft
- Updated: October 7, 2020
(Featured photo:colorofhockey.com)
Having the second overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft for the first time since Drew Doughty was selected in 2008, GM Rob Blake selected the 6’4″ playmaking, power center, Quinton Byfield of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves.
Making history as the highest selected Black player ever in the NHL, Byfield finished the OHL season with a staggering 32 goals, 50 assists and 82 Points in only 45 games. He also assisted Team Canada, while being their youngest player, to a Gold Medal victory at the 2020 World Junior Championships, (where another Kings’ prospect Akil Thomas scored the Gold Medal winning goal). In 2019, Byfield won the CHL Rookie of the Year award.
At 6’4″ and a thin 214 to 215 pounds, Byfield has plenty of time (or years) to bulk up for the rigors of the NHL. He already possesses excellent puck handling and skating skills, as he can both score or dish out the puck to create scoring opportunities. What impresses me the most about Byfield is his ability to power forward his way through a defense to get to the opposing net, even when enemy defenders are clinging on his back trying to stop him. Of course, this always comes in handy as it leaves his teammates open for a set up pass to score.
Byfield was also tied for fifth in the OHL in points per game with average of 1.82 and had a successful 51.9 average in the face-off dot, winning 304 out of 586.
Some draft experts have compared Byfield as a combination between Kings’ nemesis Joe Thornton and former King’s player Jarome Iginla. That is some high praise. Barring injuries, or more global pandemics, alien invasions, zombies, the return of dinosaurs, the death of legendary rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen (RIP), or any other insane scenario that this douche bag year of 2020 or the following years might still want to throw our way, Byfield could become a powerhouse in the NHL for the Kings. Though this will still be a few years away. But the potential is strong. And we all know the Kings definitely need to improve their offense, so Byfield was an excellent choice and addition.
So WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES Quinton!
Another first round draft choice the Kings were also contemplating in selecting was junior superstar Alexis Lafreniere, who was not surprisingly picked by the New York Rangers for the 1st overall pick. (I say “not surprisingly”, but it is 2020, and the draft has had its fair share of 1st overall draft pick twists in the past, so anything could have been possible. Just look at the 1980 NHL entry draft when the Montreal Canadiens selected the late Doug Wickenheiser 1st overall, instead of the Quebec born superstar Denis Savard! And they were IN Montreal! You know, like how this draft was supposed to take place in Montreal, but thanks to Covid-19, that didn’t happen. So then I couldn’t apply or get credentials to cover this draft in person since that idea was cancelled, which is a bummer since I don’t live that far from Montreal, and I could have interviewed Byfield and Blake in person for this article. Oh, not that I’m bitter or anything?)
Two other possible draft choices for the Kings were German center Tim Stutzle, who went 3rd overall to the Ottawa Senaters (Ottawa still has a team???) and offensive defenseman Jamie Drysdale of the OHL’s Erie Otters, who went to the Anaheim Ducks 6th overall. If all goes well for Drysdale, he could pose problems for the Kings in the near future. Well, unless Byfield crushes him.
Barring any trades that may have happened while I was writing this article, the Kings are done with the first round but still have 10 more draft picks, yes, 10 more draft picks to go in the later rounds. I haven’t seen eye to eye with GM Rob Blake on many decisions and issues, but I have to tip my Kings’ hat to him for collecting and stock piling a massive amount of draft picks to help rebuild up our pipe line, that was sadly devastated years ago by former GM Dean Lombardi, in the disaster that was the last 3 years he was with the Kings, post the two Stanley Cup victories of course. I wouldn’t be surprised if Blake traded some of those pics for depth or to move higher up the draft, nor would I be surprised if he didn’t trade any, and just selected players based on the needs of the team, since this year’s draft is completely loaded with many, many and did I mention many, talented players.
Stay tuned as I will continue the coverage of the 2020 NHL entry draft and who the Kings selected and why!?
So until next time, GO KINGS GO!!!
(photo : clutch points)
And on a sadder note, rest in paradise Eddie Van Halen. And thank you for all the amazing music you created. Because you played that electric guitar as if you had 20 fingers instead of 10.
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