LA Kings Draft: Two-round mock draft 2.0 (with trade)

In our second installment of an LA Kings mock draft, we look at the organization moving back into the first round to grab a high-end defenseman.

If you missed our first mock draft, I’d suggest revisiting that first before proceeding. Quinton Byfield has widely been projected as the consensus number two pick that I will actually be shocked if the LA Kings take Tim Stutzle in the first round. Byfield would fit so well with other taller Kings’ centerman such as Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter, and deviating from that plan would seem like a letdown.

I say that loosely because Stutzle is such an amazing talent, and he’s already being compared to Patrick Kane. Having a winger with that kind of speed and stickhandling for the next decade, at least, would be a major victory. That said, I am sticking with Quinton Byfield until I hear otherwise. Let’s jump into the next version of our two-round mock draft-this time, trading back into the first round.

Round 1, Second overall: Quinton Byfield (Center)

Measurements

• Height: 6′-4″
• Weight: 214 pounds
• Age: 18
• Shot: L

Production

• 2019-2020: 32 G, 50 A (82 points) in 45 games for Sudbury Wolves of OHL
• 2019-2020: 0 G, 1 A (1 point) in 7 games for Team Canada in World Juniors
• 2019-2020: 3 G, 2 A (5 points) in 5 games for Team Canada in Hlinka Gretzky Cup
• 2018-2019: 29 G, 32 A (61 points) in 64 games for Sudbury

Rankings

• #2 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• #2 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
• #4 by ISS HOCKEY
• #3 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
• #3 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• #2 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• #2 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
• #3 by TSN/McKenzie

Breakdown

Byfield has deceptive speed for a guy his size. He’s an excellent skater with even better vision. The Newmarket, Ontario native exhibits terrific puck-handling abilities, navigating his way through and around defenders to create his own shot. As noted, he’s a big-bodied forward that isn’t easily phased by contact.

Byfield leads rushes down the ice or provides support, flying down the ice and camping out in front of the net. He can make passes that are seemingly impossible, and he’s terrific around the edges. There’s really not much more I can say about Byfield that I already haven’t said before. Take him with the second overall pick and don’t think twice.

Quotables

“Byfield possesses the immense potential to be a rare and special type of player. A center so large and skillful that matchups will cease to phase him. A kingmaker of a man. The way he can manipulate his body with possession and under duress is wildly impressive, and he’s barely 17 years old. And while his explosiveness can appear less-than-stellar due to his length, he generates so much power in his stride that it does not take long for him to get up to high gear. His game continues to evolve each day, week, month.” – Cam Robinson/DobberProspects

Pro Comparison

Evgeni Malkin (NHL.com)

Although I see similar traits as Nathan MacKinnon, the latter is exhibiting more of a power forward behavior in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, thus far.

Videos

https://twitter.com/MGOBlue_25/status/1054029302004629504?s=20