2nd overall pick Byfield demoted by Kings

The team Canada star's NHL career doesn't get off to quite the start he had hoped for.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 3 years ago
2nd overall pick Byfield demoted by Kings
Zuma Press

This just in, the Los Angeles Kings have demoted Team Canada standout Quinton Byfield to the Ontario Reign of the AHL. Joining Byfield will be Team USA sniper Arthur Kaliyev.

Check it out:


Byfield, of course, was selected 2nd overall by the Kings in this past offseason 2020 NHL Entry Draft and shone for Team Canada at this past month's World Junior Championships. Byfield was bested by his now teammate though as Kaliyev and Team USA managed to get by Canada in the gold medal game. Suffice it to say, the Kings have a lot of young talent on their AHL roster now and that's saying nothing for the injured Alex Turcotte who is expected to join them at some point.

In any case, today's demotion has to come as a disappointment for both players but particularly for Byfield. The 6 foot, 4 inch, 215 pound 18 year old has the physical and mental maturity to handle the NHL, but it seems as though Kings head coach Todd McLellan would prefer Byfield to get some AHL reps before playing in the big league. Can't say I agree with that assessment though as, like I said, Byfield has all the tools to be a good NHLer this season. Don't be surprised if the kid ends up getting recalled sooner rather than later.