His subpar wjc didn’t helpByfield has somehow managed to become underrated on here. Only on hfboards.
Byfield has somehow managed to become underrated on here. Only on hfboards.
What confuses me is that from what I saw of the WJC, Byfield was pretty good for being 17. Like I just went back and I'm watching Canada vs Switzerland, and Byfield is good here. He looks smart and engaged, and his skill is evident. He's done a good job of setting up his teammates for scoring chances, has forechecked hard to keep possession alive, and hasn't been a problem defensively.His subpar wjc didn’t help
What confuses me is that from what I saw of the WJC, Byfield was pretty good for being 17. Like I just went back and I'm watching Canada vs Switzerland, and Byfield is good here. He looks smart and engaged, and his skill is evident.
Are people just looking at his numbers?
I mean, were we expecting a 17 year old to take over? We probably shouldn't have been. Nathan MacKinnon had a similar type of WJC where he didn't really get to play a lot.He wasn’t very noticeable in that tournament, and definitely never ‘took over’. Didn’t see any end to end rushes or dominance on with the puck in the offensive zone.
But whatever it’s one tournament.
I mean, were we expecting a 17 year old to take over? We probably shouldn't have been. Nathan MacKinnon had a similar type of WJC where he didn't really get to play a lot.
Barkov must has been livid when MacKinnon went #1 over him, despite having the much better WJC that year. Drouin and Jones, too, now that I think about it.Probably not but those are some expectations for a top-2 pick, even if they’re unfair
While, I'm not going to hold the WJC heavily against Byfield, there situations weren't quite the same. Spott gave MacKinnon no opportunity to move up the line-up. He basically started as the 13th forward and ended as the 13th forward.I mean, were we expecting a 17 year old to take over? We probably shouldn't have been. Nathan MacKinnon had a similar type of WJC where he didn't really get to play a lot.
True, but it's not like Byfield played a ton. 10 min a game, +/- 2 min.While, I'm not going to hold the WJC heavily against Byfield, there situations weren't quite the same. Spott gave MacKinnon no opportunity to move up the line-up. He basically started as the 13th forward and ended as the 13th forward.
Byfield got a shot in the top 6 during the preliminary games with Barrett Hayton and lost the spot.True, but it's not like Byfield played a ton. 10 min a game, +/- 2 min.
Is the fact that it was Hayton specifically supposed to be significant here? Admittedly, I'm not a Hayton fan.Byfield got a shot in the top 6 during the preliminary games with Barrett Hayton and lost the spot.
The point was, MacKinnon never got any such opportunity.Is the fact that it was Hayton specifically supposed to be significant here? Admittedly, I'm not a Hayton fan.
So, okay. He got a shot in the top 6 with a player who is, shall we say, difficult to play with at times, and didn't make anything of it. I'm not sure what that proves. Sometimes players don't have immediate chemistry. Sometimes players don't have chemistry at all.
Okay, so Byfield got 1 opportunity, MacKinnon didn't get any. I don't think that should change our opinions much.The point was, MacKinnon never got any such opportunity.
He got the warm-up games with a good chance to earn a top 6 role. I'm not saying overly punish him for it. He didn't capitalize on the opportunity, something MacKinnon never got. But, I will say people overhyped him entering the tournament, and not people are pushing back because he didn't live up to expectations. Not saying its fair, the truth obviously lies in the middle.Okay, so Byfield got 1 opportunity, MacKinnon didn't get any. I don't think that should change our opinions much.
Barkov must has been livid when MacKinnon went #1 over him, despite having the much better WJC that year. Drouin and Jones, too, now that I think about it.
I mean, were we expecting a 17 year old to take over? We probably shouldn't have been. Nathan MacKinnon had a similar type of WJC where he didn't really get to play a lot.
So what was your opinion of LaFreniere putting up the same type of performance last season??Probably not but those are some expectations for a top-2 pick, even if they’re unfair
Exactly, people are acting like Laffy just stepped right into the WJC and dominated.. As you just reminded people, this was his second go round...Lafreniere didn't do squat at his first WJs when he was 17. Lucky for him he missed the NHL draft by a few weeks and got one more kick at the can as a 18 year old. He made the best of it. I came into the season thinking Byfield had a shot at overtaking Lafreniere for 1OA, just because I prefer big centers who can skate, score and make plays, but Lafreniere is the legit #1 and Byfield is #2. Nothing wrong with that.
If Byfield were to get his 2nd shot at the junior team next year he'd be in the running for tourney MVP. but that's not likely going to happen.
but fingers crossed, you never know.
So what was your opinion of LaFreniere putting up the same type of performance last season??
Lafreniere was in his draft-1 year and didn't have much of a role on the team, yet I still believe he had a better tournament regardless. I'm sure Byfield will be great and he is lighting up the OHL, I think that most people get to watch him when he's on national TV (WJC, Top Prospects Game, etc) and he has been underwhelming in that small sample size, so naturally he will be a bit underrated compared to those who see him in the OHL regularly.