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The Los Angeles Kings experienced somewhat of a facelift this summer, attempting to change their culture and identity with new additions.
Joel Edmundson, Warren Foegele, and Tanner Jeannot were key additions in that attempted change by Rob Blake. While the spotlight should and undeniably will be on those players, it will come down to the two future cornerstones who will have massive opportunities to do so.
Quinton Byfield’s potential is as clear, and it’s a beacon of hope for the Kings’ future. His return to center, after a period of significant growth and development, is a major win. Even if he doesn’t reach elite levels of performance this season, his return to center is a game-changer. Offseason speculations hinted at a potential partnership between Kevin Fiala and Foegele on the wings, and the preseason has only confirmed what could be one of the most dynamic lines in the Kings’ offense.
It has been the best line for the Kings throughout the preseason, for what that’s worth. He has carried the run of play while on the ice, and while he is a traditional natural playmaker, he scored a hat trick against the Boston Bruins. The 6’5 youngster has been showcasing his hands and footwork while operating at top speed, something many NHL defenders struggle to handle. This was seen in glimpses over the last season and a half while a winger on the top line primarily working the forecheck. Now, Byfield carries the puck in the zone more regularly as the center, crossing over lanes and forcing defenders to open up.
He’s finally showcasing the tools he displayed to get drafted second overall. If he can continue his run of play from the preseason into the regular season, the Kings might be in good shape to make another run at a playoff berth. In many ways, Byfield is looking to be that missing center the Kings have been looking for, being a potential upgrade to the hole Pierre-Luc Dubois left.
Unlike Byfield, who has had a full season of NHL action plus the addition of two playoff series, Brandt Clarke is about to embark on his first real opportunity for full-time work in the NHL. His potential is a source of intrigue and excitement for fans, as they eagerly anticipate full-time action from Clarke in the NHL.
Nonetheless, Clarke is going to be must-watch hockey this season. The Drew Doughty injury opens up a massive void on the back end. Jordan Spence is the more seasoned player and is already aligned with Mikey Anderson to fill Doughty’s immediate ‘shoes.’ Spence will only be expected to be able to handle part of the level of responsibility that Doughty had as one of the premier shutdown defensemen in the game.
Clarke has been paired with newcomer Edmundson, whose addition to the team was a necessary element of grit and physicality on the backend due to last season’s reliance on Andreas Englund. The pair early on has looked to be a reliable, offense-invoking, with a defensive anchor in Edmundson when needed.
During the preseason, Clarke has been dynamic with the puck, unafraid to move laterally and take on opposing forwards in the offensive zone one-on-one to make plays. Clarke’s shiftiness and hockey IQ were prevalent in the Florida game alone when looking for high to low redirects from cycle plays, almost culminating in an Anze Kopitar goal.
Clarke also has been a mainstay on PP1 over Spence, which should boast excellent primary and secondary assist numbers should he stay there.
These players in Byfield and Clarke are pre-designated to take the reigns over the next few years from two future Hall of Famers. It’s a mammoth task, but one that they both are well equipped to at least cement themselves at the top of their positions on the roster. While Byfield is here and now, ready to take that next step after playing 179 NHL games, Clarke sits at 25 total. Defensemen traditionally take longer to develop, but Clarke isn’t your traditional defenseman, and the Kings need him to take a massive leap this year.
Both players will be tantalizing to watch on the ice this season, having a significant stake in the next phase for this franchise.