Kings Sign Quinton Byfield to 5-year Extension – Hockey Writers – Los Angeles Kings

The LA Kings signed Quinton Byfield to a five-year extension worth an average annual value of $6.25 million. The 21-year-old free agent had his breakout year in 2023-24, scoring 20 goals and 55 points.

Byfield was the second overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, and after a stint in the Kings organization, made the jump to a full-time NHL player last season. Byfield played parts of three seasons before making that switch, but it looks like it will pay off in his long-term development.

As a 6-foot-5 center, Byfield had undeniable talent, but mixing that with his size and other skills, taking an extra year or two is common for a player with his toolset.

Kings Can Benefit From This Deal

Inking Byfield in the five-year agreement kept the price lower than it would have been in the eight-year maximum period. Byfield, who has played a major role as the season has progressed, is scratching the surface of what he can do. His offensive prowess, whether it’s his dangerous shot or skill play, should take another step as soon as the 2024-25 season.

Paying a young, talented forward $6.25 million with the realistic expectation that he’ll be a point-per-game player throughout the five years of the deal is an incredible amount. As mentioned, the five-year term helped keep the rate lower than it otherwise would have been, and this contract buys one year of unrestricted free agent (UFA) rights.

Related: Predicting Quinton Byfield’s Next Contract With Kings

When the contract expires, Byfield will be a 26-year-old UFA, which could be a red flag when analyzing the contract, but all signs point to Byfield liking the Kings organization and that’s not something to worry about. at the moment.

Byfield is a natural center but could end up winning in the top lineup next to Anze Kopitar for the bulk of his contract. The Kings’ center depth is one of the best in the league, and with Phillip Danault holding down the shutout spot, Byfield would be more effective in the wing than deep in the middle.

Kopitar has two seasons left on his contract, making him 38 years old. This will be the perfect transition time for Byfield to prove himself as a star and take over the center role for the Kings. The mid-term deal wasn’t what most people were predicting, but there’s a lot to take from the five-year deal. A bridge deal to allow him to prove himself more would cost the team more than $3 million in his next contract, while a long-term deal comes with a lot of risk, but it could pay off.

Both the Kings and Byfield should be happy with this deal, as should the fans. Again, the only red flag is that it brings him into UFA status, but that’s not something to worry about five years ahead.