Goodness, some of these takes.
Byfield is a growing player who is still adjusting to his body. While put in a third-liner role, he played more of a checker expected of him by the coach.
I said others have compared him to Malkin, but I feel he's a lot more like Kopitar. He's a two-way player with a good deal of skill. But he inconsistently asserts himself. He's more of a shooter compared to Kopitar, who I think has better anticipation with the puck.
I still think Byfield got better as the tourney went on. He was never dominant, not even when he got 6 points in a game.
But he will do what the coach asks of him. When a young player is willing to learn and listen to the coach, it's huge.
I know some want him to demand more of himself and assert himself around the ice, but he's not there yet. He honestly may never. But that was the biggest drawback of his performance at the WJCs. Anyone saying he was worse than failing to assert himself is overstating his shortcomings.
