Byfield

Not sure how this makes sense with CBJ adding a top C in the draft this year. Byfield hasn’t developed as fast as expected and is not an immediate 1C answer. He’d be on the same growth curve as the 3OA pick this year, so it just seems redundant.

Doesn't make sense for the Kings to do.

wobbly center core

I’d used that first to go after an already established 1C / 2C. Byfield is really shakey

the only guys out there who fit that bill are either going to be under contract well into their late 30s (hertl), pure rentals (backlund), both (lindholm with or without an extension) or flawed/expensive mid-term (kuznetsov, hayes).



whoever they draft (assuming carlsson/smith) won't be NHL ready right away. byfield would be a year ahead of them, and already has pro experience. don't think he'd be redundant at all.

the appeal of adding him would boil down to wanting a long-term 1-2 punch with their 2023 pick and byfield as their top two centers. that'd also make sillinger a potential plus as the #3 and voronkov as the #4 – with all four of those guys being either on ELCs or RFA deals, instead of UFA deals taking them into their late 30s (i.e. moving significant pieces for lindholm and then extending him).