Byfield is a winger and will be in their top 6

Isn’t kopitars contract up after this next season? He’s also like 35 so time is running out

Byfield has been playing wing since mid last season.

He’s looked much better on the wing than he was at C, so he’ll likely stay there for the time being, at least until Kopi retires.

I think the thing to remember with the Kings is that Anze Kopitar only has one more year left on his contract. Also that Byfield isn't bad on the wing, and he'll be a center at some point he's still very young. It is good to be a versatile player too, management and coaches like players that offer them more options than just one position.

Kopitar is about to be 36. Are you expecting him to play into his 40s lol?

He'll be playing wing until Kopitar retires, then the Kings will role some combo of Dubois, Byfield, Danault down the middle.

Nfg about Byfield. Didn’t care for him coming out of junior and think he’s going to have a super average career in respect to his projections.

Also, the Wings aren’t giving up assets to acquire him, and the Kings aren’t even trading him (as you can see by the PLD trade)….
So this post is obsolete and moot point

It's possible with where his game is at but that just gives Byfield time to develop into a an NHL C. Kopitar turns 36 and Byfield 21 in August, so by the time Kopitar is 39/40, Byfield will need to be ready.

If he's unable to make the transition to C, then there's Dubois (maybe).

Would Danault be available I think is the question

I don’t really care for Byfield even if he was made available. He’s an underachiever and my impression is that there’s a good chance he will be that for his entire NHL career.

I mean guys playing in their 40s is extremely rare. We've had 3 centers play that long in the last 15 years and that was Thornton, Marleau, and Modano. All were in 4th line roles at that time.

I dont know why your laughing ,some guys are playing till 38-42 now . Not that I’m pretending to know in what physical condition kopitar is in but I don’t recall him having any major injuries . Your telling me you can’t see ovechkin and Crosby playing 40+ ? I can see kopitar playing another 4-5 yrs if he’s still producing and his heart is in it

Thanks for the replies on byfield I figured he was being made as a winger as I can see dubois kopitar danault down the middle for at least 3 more yrs possibly. On a side note Guessing turcotte is officially a bust and will be dealt soon

From the previous comment

I mean guys playing in their 40s is extremely rare. We've had 3 centers play that long in the last 15 years and that was Thornton, Marleau, and Modano. All were in 4th line roles at that time. Those guys also barely played.

"guys are playing till 38-42 now"

We have 1 guy in his 40s. That's Craig Anderson.

He’s 20 lol wouldn’t write him off just yet

We just had chara retire that I can recall and Crosby and ovie will join the group I’m sure possibly pavelski if he keeps producing. I can see kopitar being one but again I don’t know his condition and maybe he’ll think to himself hes had his cups and he’s had enough.

Just saying I can see him playing at 40

I’d sign him or trade for him still because of his still existing upside but I wouldn’t give up anything significant for him.

That's true but just I mean even if he just plays up to 40, that's 3 seasons after this one. In terms of type of player Kopitar is similar to Bergeron who has a strong 2-way game and is still producing. Bergeron seems like he's more likely to retire because he's bored than because of age. Kopitar's production could drop off but it's not farfetched that he would still be a lock for 3C at the least.

You're talking about 2-3 guys the last 15 years and acting like all good players can do it. It's extremely tough to play in your 40s.

Only 3 centers the last 15 years with a ton of good centers playing in that time.

Chara also isn't a center. Any guy that has played that long also isn't in a top role. If Kopitar does make it to his 40s he likely will be a 4C.

Doesn’t matter if kopitar isn’t in the top 6 anymore maybe he can play 40-41 as a 3 c 35-40 pt guy who knows ... all I said is I can see him being one of them he’s an elite 2 way #1c. Aging yes ... but usually it’s the players at the top who play past 40. He got his cups so he can always say he’s had enough , all depends on the player look at jagr not in the nhl but like 52 and still playing lol

We’ll see what he does within 4 yrs