The Los Angeles Kings made many moves this summer, but one constant in their blueprint for success is the development of budding NHL center Quinton Byfield.
The 22-year-old had a terrific season in 2023-24, posting 20 goals and 55 points in 80 games. Byfield’s development this coming year should see him eclipse those numbers and set new career highs in a legitimate breakout season.
Considering Byfield signed a five-year contract this summer worth $6.25 million per year, he has a great opportunity to make that deal look terrific for the team down the line. The Kings will need him to do that as well because they could sure use a boost to increase their chances of making the playoffs in the NHL’s Pacific Division.
From Byfield’s perspective, the patience Kings management showed in him is much appreciated.
“There’s a lot that goes into a player’s development,” Byfield told THN.com’s Michael Traikos at the recent NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour in Las Vegas. “Opportunity is big. So is confidence. There’s a lot of stuff that goes into it. I feel like big players take a bit longer, just being comfortable with their size and what they do with their game. It took me a little bit.”
One of Byfield’s biggest off-season focuses was on his shot. He said he’s been preparing to excel at scoring in different areas of the ice.
“My focus was on translating my goals,” Byfield said. “I felt like a lot of my goals were in tight and just being able to score from different angles, further out, being more of a threat from different areas than just in front.”
Byfield is intent on securing the Kings’ second-line center job, likely on a line with veteran winger Kevin Fiala and potentially either Warren Foegele, Tanner Jeannot or youngster Arthur Kaliyev. Regardless, after trying to play on the right wing and at the center, Byfield feels that playing in the middle is the right choice for his skill set.
“Playing wing with (Kings captain Anze) Kopitar and (Adrian) Kempe helped me become more comfortable, just being in the NHL and making plays,” Byfield said. “But I think my game is more suited to center. I like playing good defense and shutting down their top line. When I can be in my own end, playing guys 1-on-1 down low, that’s where I want to be.
“I don’t want to be on the wall standing there going up the ice. I want to be able to use my speed and kind of demand the middle of the ice. So I think center is more suited for me.”
One of Byfield’s biggest scoring plays last season was a sequence in which he took the puck into the Columbus Blue Jackets zone, danced between two defenders, kicked the puck to himself and then scored on the backhand.
It was a goal-of-the-season candidate, but more importantly, it changed his mindset as a producer of offense and strengthened his belief in himself.
“Just coming into the season last year, it was more just allowing myself to make mistakes,” Byfield said. “I feel like before I was scared I didn’t want to make that mistake. I didn’t want to make that turnover. So just allowing myself to be confident and make plays.
“If I had that situation a year ago, I might have just chipped it in. Just over the season, I got more comfortable with my game. Just reassuring my abilities with what I can do. So that goal was big for my confidence. Just knowing that I can do that and create on my own.”
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News Summary:
- Budding NHL Center Wants To Be A Goal-Scoring Threat After Breakout Year For Kings
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