Despite a strong season on the top line, helping both Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe to fantastic seasons, many fans weren't satisfied with Quinton Byfield.
He posted a career-high 22 points and four points in six playoff games. But a lot of focus was placed on him scoring just three goals through 53 games. It's fair for fans to want more from Byfield, but it's important to note the nagging injuries he dealt with last season. Injuries that weren't revealed until after the season had ended.
During exit interviews, it was revealed that Byfield was sick for a month early in the season and lost 20 pounds. Weight he never fully put back on.
"Honestly, I don't think I ever fully recovered throughout the year," said Byfield. "I got close to where I wanted to be, but I was still a little lighter than what I came to camp at last year."
Byfield then confirmed he had regained, and even added, some weight this summer.
But, more importantly, Byfield revealed to THN that he played almost all of last season with two sprained wrists.
"I only got three goals last year, that's definitely what everyone is talking about," said Byfield. "But you don't realize what issues and stuff people are dealing with. You know, second game of the year I sprained my wrist and the whole year didn't miss any time (from that injury) and same with the other wrist. So, I couldn't really feel my hands out there the whole year."
While these aren't excuses, and Byfield made a point of that, they do put into perspective some of the goal-scoring issues Byfield had.
It was more than fair to criticize Byfield for his lack of scoring last season and still is to an extent. But what he was battling through can't be ignored either.
It's also one of the reasons to be optimistic about Byfield heading into this season. It's the first year of his NHL career that he's fully healthy. In his rookie season, he fractured his ankle and last season he had a few issues. Now those issues are behind him.
It's never been a question of skill for Byfield, even in the goalscoring department. He's been prolific at every level before the NHL. Scoring 61 goals in 109 OHL games and 21 in 59 AHL games. Now, he's beginning to adapt to scoring in the NHL.
"I find you get your goals in different ways," said Byfield when discussing some of the challenges of translating OHL and AHL success to the NHL. "There's more stuff around the net in the higher levels, there's not as many rush chances as there was in juniors. It's more free-flowing (in juniors) guys don't really know defense, not backchecking fully. Each level you go up, it definitely gets harder, the competition gets better, the defense gets better. It's just trying to find the right spaces and watching as much video as possible to find the right spots I should be going too."
Outside of health, the other big reason for optimism with Byfield is his role. Adrian Kempe has often said that one of the biggest reasons he was able to fully break out was finding a defined spot and role on the team.
When he stopped jumping from different lines and positions, with different duties each time, he was able to fully come into his own. Now, Byfield has the chance to do the same on the first line.
"It feels good, just being able to come into camp each day knowing where I'm at," said Byfield. "Just knowing where I'm at. It does feel really good, all the other camps, coming in, I don't know if I'm going to play center, what line, who my wingers are. So, it's definitely a good feeling. The comfort level is there and that's very important."
Byfield's also impressed the coaching staff during camp, and they're expecting a strong season from Byfield. But, head coach Todd McLellan did warn that Byfield can't get too comfortable in his spot.
"There's good and then there's risk with Q," said McLellan. "The real good part is that he left last season with confidence and that's a real good thing. He approached the summer and looks more like a full grown man, he's bigger and stronger. He fits a role on a line right now. All of those things are positive. He's picked up where he left off with his tenacity and his forecheck. He scored a couple goals in practice today he maybe wouldn't have last year. Those are all the real positives. The risk is, he gets comfortable and starts to give it back. Some of those kids have to break through and elevate and we think he can do that. I think he believes he can do that and so far, signs indicate that he is doing that. But it's early."
McLellan hit the nail on the head at the end there. It's early and it's important not to overreact to a few good showings in training camp.
However, for the first time in Byfield's young career, everything is going right for him. He's 100% healthy, in the best physical shape of his career and has a defined role that should enable him to produce.
The onus is on Byfield now, but there's plenty of reason for optimism. And all signs are pointing toward a big season for the former second-overall pick.