(Quebec) When the Los Angeles Kings traded Pierre-Luc Dubois last June, all the attention was naturally focused on the transaction itself. It’s not common, after all, for such a high-profile (and highly paid) player to change sides, much less twice in one year.
In the City of Angels, however, attention quickly turned to Quinton Byfield. General manager Rob Blake openly confirmed that the crown jewel of the Kings’ junior team would be moved to center following Dubois’ departure.
Beyond the position that is becoming available, there is one obvious reason why the Ontarian, who will soon be celebrating his 22nd birthday, will return to his natural position: his progress last season, both offensively (55 points, including 20 goals) and defensively.
Drafted in 2e Ranked No. 1 overall in 2020, he made his professional debut as a winger, learning the ropes by shadowing Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault.
“I wasn’t ready to play center in the NHL,” the big forward admitted Wednesday night, on the sidelines of the Sunlife ProAm, a charity event held at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.
“In juniors, you don’t play so much defense,” he continued. “In the NHL, you don’t have the choice to play both ends of the ice. It was hard for me, I wasn’t reliable enough. I adjusted. Now, I feel ready.”
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Quinton Byfield scores a goal against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre last December.
He is aware that he will have to “reacclimatize.” For example, find his comfort in the faceoff circle, where he has a 45% efficiency rate in 179 games to date. He also plans to perfect his positioning, given the “different lines” inherent to his new position and the necessary support he will have to provide to his defenders.
Despite the magnitude of the challenge, he says he is “excited” to take it on, especially within an organization where defensive standards are extremely high, dictated in particular by Kopitar and Danault, two masters in the field.
“I watched them every day,” Byfield said. “I learned a lot from them, and hopefully that will translate into my game when I come back to center.”
PHOTO ASHLEY LANDIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Quinton Byfield (55) celebrates with Philip Danault after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks in April.
Also present in Quebec on Wednesday, Danault assured that he was ready to continue helping his young teammate as much as he wants.
His advice? “We don’t want him to lose his dynamism on the ice.” Without dishing out excessive body checks, Byfield embodies the very definition of a power forward, who, at 6’5″ and 225 lbs, is among the fastest skaters in the league, according to data provided by the circuit.
“He played center his whole life before the NHL,” Danault said. “I think he’ll be comfortable.”
Lost season
Despite all the excitement surrounding Byfield’s progress, his reassignment is part of the many “trials” the organization must do next season, Danault said.
In Los Angeles, they replaced Pierre-Luc Dubois, Viktor Arvidsson and Carl Grundstrom with Tanner Jeannot, Warren Foegele and Joel Edmundson. The strategy is not subtle. They wanted to add muscle after last spring’s frustrating defeat, in just five games, against the Edmonton Oilers.
It’s hard to talk about a truly improved lineup, though. The same could be said in net, where Darcy Kuemper will take the spot left vacant by Cam Talbot.
“We have to stay positive for what’s coming,” Danault insisted. “Rob Blake has made the moves that he believes will improve the team. We’ll see. It’ll be one day at a time!”
The outcome of the Dubois saga is “unfortunate”, according to his compatriot, who nevertheless points out that “hockey is a business”.
PHOTO ALEX GALLARDO, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Phillip Danault
The organization had high expectations, and [Pierre-Luc] is a really good Jack, but the Kings decided to move on. They decided it was the best thing for the team.
Philip Danault, on the departure of Pierre-Luc Dubois
In any case, all eyes are already turned towards the next campaign, when people will want to make up for a “lost season”, according to Danault.
“We’ve been doing the same thing for three years in a row,” added defenseman Drew Doughty, who also participated in the ProAm. The last three consecutive early eliminations, each time at the hands of the Oilers, have left their mark.
“We definitely have to improve. I think a lot of things are going to change.”
It will have to be, because Kopitar and Doughty will not play forever. The younger generation will have to rise up.
Starting with Quinton Byfield, for example.