I'd take Malkin too sure, but it's much more uncertain now is it. Probably why Laffy was picked first.

I’m not a big fan of Laf. Let’s say there was a trade of Laf and a 1st for Debrincat , I’d be scared to make that trade as a Chicago fan

I agree with BPA theory, for sure. At the time, given the uncertainty surrounding prospect development, it made sense to draft Laffy because the eventual top level skill was so close to each other. It was just more likely in Laffy.

As far as a swap being as beneficial for both sides, I disagree from an LA perspective. As much as Turcotte and Vilardi are good players, they aren't --in my opinion-- future 1Cs. With Kopitar coming into his mid 30's, the Kings need an inheritance plan. And Danault doesn't fit the 1C role either. Byfield is the closest thing the Kings have.

In addition, both Turcotte and Vilardi are more than capable of moving to the wing. Its where they are playing now, actually. Vilardi is learning as a winger for the first time in the AHL (which is why he hasn't been called up yet despite being over a PPG pace), and Turcotte as a LW in his stint in the NHL.

Personally, I view an elite 1C as more important than an elite 1W, assuming both Laffy and Byfield hit their peak. So I wouldn't trade the two at the moment.

I'd 100% take that if I was CHI GM, but that would mean a certain retooling, which is why I don't see that happening in reality, because CHI roster is built under the assumption that they'll be competing in not-so-distant future.

But I would be very excited to see a Lafreniere-Dach-Kane line.

I just don’t like Laf . He’s not good

All I can say to that is that it's very early to say this. But I'll give him that it's not that easy to become a Huberdeau when your linemates both are also underperforming.

Just tonight he was playing in a line with Barron and Hunt. Not the guys you want to play with if your goal is to develop into a more complete player.

@JustABoss
Or something like Laf for Chychurn

That'd be very interesting.

Laf has more chance to be Yakupov than 75% of Huberdeau at this point

He's 20. Give him time lol.

Houston starts their rebuild with Laf + Wright (maybe) + 2023 top pick
Rangers have top 4 of
Lindgren-Fox
Chychurn-Trouba

Lafreniere-Wright-Michkov

*chef's kiss*

I think it’s more likely Byfield hits his ceiling and he’s a center. The kings don’t have anyone else in the organization with 1C potential. I wouldn’t even trade byfield for laf + 1st

I wouldn't do that trade because we don't really know, and won't know for at least two more seasons, what each is capable of. In general, of course, franchise centers (Auston Matthews) are worth more than franchise wingers (Mitch Marner), so that's another reason to hang on to Byfield until he's discouraged us. As my friend and esteemed colleague @PuckLuck_77 has so accurately put it above, this exchange doesn't look like it makes sense for us long-term. But Mark Stone . . .

What happens to Miller

What about Mark Stone?

Bottom pair or trade him for a young center
I think Kings might consider Miller + pick for Turcotte. Or Miller + Kravstov

This is something I don't get. You take a young player who performs, let's say below expected and below average, and his value drops and all the promise disappears compared to another prospect who has done well in juniors and AHL but has barely played 10 games in the big leagues and suddenly this one has a major value advantage - even though he has done barely anything in the NHL.

I understand the idea that LA doesn't want to deal Byfield. Frankly if I were Blake I wouldn't do it either. But imo it's ludicrous to say that Lafreniere+1st wouldn't be enticing enough.

Maybe it’s just watching the 2 play. One doesn’t look special or will have the skill set to succeed. Like what is Laf even good at? Byfield is a good skater and big , at the very least he will dominate in that aspect

I mean you just said you didn't like Laffy so you're pretty biased here, but what Lafreniere has is the fact that he's ready. He's established himself as a certain NHLer at the pimply age of 20, and all of his weaknesses are something that can be solved by proper development (which is an issue because development isn't legal in Rangers). But if the guy didn't have any strengths he never would've gone first overall.

Could u imagine if Laf, Kakko and Kravtsov were playing as good as Lundell, Jarvis and Wahlstrom? Lol

We wouldn't be having this conversation if that happened lol.

I don’t think Laf has been put in a position to succeed with the Rangers and K think any less of him than I did before the draft. It’s just that players like Byfield don’t come around often and 1Cs are much harder to find/develop than wingers.

Kopitar is going to be 35, Danault is a great 2C, and every other C prospect in the organization has 2C upside at best. You need a 1C to be a contender and Byfield can be a top 5 C in the league, unless it’s an insane overpay there’s no reason for LA to trade him. Laf and a late 1st wouldnt make the Kings better in the short or long term

Lafreniere still has potential. I'm not sure Kings are ready to do this yet.

It's because it can stunt their growth. And what that actually means is it can dismantle their confidence which is the biggest reason why people succeed. Look at zegras and how much confidence and swagger he has. Had he been brought up right away with a heavy weight on his shoulders as number one pick he might not be the same player. Or look at Pettersson in Van. His confidence is stating to come back and he now has 8 points in his past 5 games after looking like a borderline nhler for 40 games this year. The difference with peteys situation and laf is that everyone has seen Petey be a star so the whole world and himself knows he's capable but confidence needs nurturing. With Laf, he has shown he can play in the NHL but he hasn't shown the world or himself that he can be a star player and the longer that goes on, especially with the additional scrutiny of a 1st overall, the harder it is to gain that confidence and become a star.

I'm not saying Laf can't or won't do it but people need patience and he needs the right support around him.