1. Hat trick alert?
Okay, we’re going to go all out here and finish with a bang by predicting that Quinton Byfield will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Auston Matthews by absolutely exploding onto the scene in the National Hockey League and recording a hat trick in his first career game.
So that could be setting pretty unfair expectations for Byfield who has yet to take a single shift in the NHL yet, but it isn’t that bold of a prediction when you really sit down and think about it. For starters, he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and is an absolute stud prospect with a scary amount of talent.
He’s also a freak of nature given that he’s an absolute specimen that not only boasts a hulking frame, but he also has speed and skill in abundance, making the 18-year-old a unique talent that is built to succeed at a high level in the NHL.
Byfield has all the talent, all the skills, all the weapons and the IQ needed to become an elite center at the highest level, and while it is unfair to expect too much too early, he will have chances to carve out one hell of a debut tonight.
As we’ve mentioned in previous slides, Byfield will see time on both the power play and on the penalty kill, thus increasing his opportunities to light the lamp and he’ll also be playing on a line with two playmakers in Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe, two players who could certainly help to make things happen for Byfield.
When you also consider that the Anaheim Ducks aren’t a great team and currently rank 25th in Goals Against Per Game (3.22), there will be opportunities for Quinton Byfield to wreak havoc and cause some damage, and he has the talent to score a hat trick on his NHL debut if the chances arise.
Whatever happens, though, there is no doubt that LA Kings fans will just be excited to finally see their highly-skilled and highly-rated prospect in action after having to wait a long, long time for this day to come.