The Los Angeles Kings announced that centreman Quinton Byfield is sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury following a pre-season matchup on Oct 5th between the Kings and the Arizona Coyotes.
Further update from LA on Byfield. Shame to see, was going to start the season with the Kings. pic.twitter.com/8kPUyQYrC3
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 6, 2021
Quinton Byfield Injured
Byfield was taken into the corner boards by Arizona’s Christian Fischer, where Byfield awkwardly collided with the wall. Byfield was soon after helped off the ice as his left leg was unable to bear any weight. Later to be announced as a left-ankle fracture, this injury will place Byfield on injured reserve, ensuring he misses the season-opener plus some.
Following the pre-season, top prospect Byfield was set to start the regular season with the Kings as a centre in the team’s bottom six. Only appearing in six NHL games during the 2020-21 season, Byfield posted one point in the form of an assist, adding two PIM and nine shots.
After being drafted second overall to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the 19-year old Byfield has spent a majority of his professional games within the system on the Ontario Reign. With the Reign, Byfield had 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists), 24 PIM, and a plus-minus of -9.
Coach Todd McLellan spoke out following the 4-1 loss to Arizona, saying “It was a clean hit. It was unfortunate”. McLellan went on to address the nature of the play, saying “he went into the boards. One skate went one way and one the other. It’s in a corner. If it is in a straightaway, he would have got away with rolling off but there was nowhere to go. Not a dirty hit.”
When Byfield does rejoin the lineup, he’ll have to fight again to solidify a spot in the bottom-six after Los Angeles’ addition of Phillip Danault this offseason.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
