Article: Quinton Byfield Checks All The Boxes Of An Eriksson Ek Contingency Plan

[Kalisha Turnipseed]

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[FredJohnson]

But will he hold up against the big teams in the playoffs? (Snark)

 

 

[MrCheatachu]

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Charlie Stramell will finish his college career at Michigan State University. The 21st pick in the 2023 draft could become Eriksson Ek’s successor, but he’s not NHL-ready. 

Stramel spent his first two seasons at Wisconsin, where he had 20 points in 67 games. If he had been more productive with the Badgers, the Wild would likely be signing him to his Entry-Level Contract (ELC) this season. Still, Byfield’s more skilled and has a better ceiling than Stramel and Eriksson Ek. 

Stramel (one 'l' not two) is currently a Junior at Michigan State, what does his production with the Badgers have to do with his current likelihood of signing an ELC?

He's also put up 25 points (9g/16a) in 34 games this season for Sparty.  Not the production you want out of your first rounder, considering his linemate Isaac Howard leads Big Ten scoring with 46 points (23g/23a)

 

[Imyourhuckleberry]

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The Wild can also explore free agency because the salary cap will increase... For instance, old friend Alex Tuch is available this summer.

Alex Tuch is set to become a free agent in 2026 if he is not extended this summer, just like Kaprizov.

[Citizen Strife]

Tampa got Gourde and Bjorkstrand got the Kraken TWO first round picks (with all money retained, but still)

Suddenly, a 2nd for Nyquist at 50% doesn't sound so bad.

[SkolWild73]

44 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

Tampa got Gourde and Bjorkstrand got the Kraken TWO first round picks (with all money retained, but still)

Suddenly, a 2nd for Nyquist at 50% doesn't sound so bad.

I thought I read a second round pick also this year

[Citizen Strife]

Oof, you're right.

[Protec]

Minnesota should hold on til the off-season unless it's really a perfect deal. 

Byfield for Rossi could be okay down the line, maybe? Right now, Rossi is a solid offensive player but not dominant or assertive in a 6'5" way. Byfield hasn't become an amazing player yet either but could the Wild's future prospects fit better with size down the middle? 

Guerin should be careful this close to the end of the penalties. No unforced errors. Do a trade at the draft or post-season when timing and pressure isn't amplified like at the deadline. Sign Nelson in the off-season and keep assets available for a trade in the Summer. 

Byfield does have cost-certainty. Will Rossi cost more now in 2025 and based on his production? Byfield is signed for the coming years. It's interesting but would LA be interested in Rossi? What would MN have to give up? I don't see it happening, better for Guerin to stick to what he's said about being conservative at the deadline. 

[mnhockeyfan03]

Byfield is a stud.  It’s going to cost more than Rossi though.  I would trade Rossi, Ohgren and a 3rd.  Then if wild can sign Nelson in offseason for 3years x 4mm we have a great center depth.  Byfield, Nelson, Ek as top 3 centers.  We have size and speed.  Just then would need a large top 6 RHF like Tuch to complete the team along with Yurov. These trades likely happen after the season.  Please find a way to offload Hartman, trenin, Spurgeon purely for the cap space. 

[TCMooch]

Byfield would cost a shit ton in blue chip prospects and current players.

 Size, position and draft position means you’ll need to overpay. I don’t really see the Kings getting rid of him unless it’s a lopsided deal in their favor

[Dango]

He hasnt proved hes a better points producer than Rossi yet so i wouldnt risk the gamble at this point 

[1Brotherbill]

Ok, lets look at this objectively.  2020 draft had some pretty good players taken in the top ten.  Lafreniere 1, Byfield 2, Stuetzle 3, Raymond 4, Sanderson 5, Drysdale 6, Holtz 7, Quinn 8, Rossi 9, Perfetti 10.  Of those ten players Rossi is currently 4th in Points per game behind Stuetzle, Byfield and Raymond.  Rossi is also 4th from the bottom in games played out of the top ten.  

Rossi is turning out to be one of the best players in that draft.  I would say you keep him regardless of his size.  He is going to be leading the team in scoring in a few games unless Boldy starts scoring more. 

I seriously doubt that LA will trade Byfield being that his is playing well and the team is in the playoff mix.  But if they do, the best option would be to get him without giving up Rossi.  If you have to trade prospects not named Wallstedt, Yurov, Buium or Ohgren.  I would do it.  Maybe toss in a Hartman, Foglino, or Gaudreau as salary filler. 

[1Brotherbill]

Just now, Dango said:

He hasnt proved hes a better points producer than Rossi yet so i wouldnt risk the gamble at this point 

Byfield scores at a .62 points per game pace, Rossi at a .56.  The difference isn't much but he scores as well and a bit better than Rossi.  However Rossi has played almost half the amount of games Byfield has.  So you are right the gamble is there.  I would try and trade for him while keeping Rossi.  That would solidify a lot adding him to the roster. 

[Enforceror]

We'd need 12.2 just to get Byfield and Nelson. Tuch is currently 4.8m. So 17m total.

Hartman is 4, trenin is 3.5, Spurg is 7.5. Rossi and Ohgren, roughly 2mil. 

I guess this would work from a cap perspective.

That being said, if I were the Kings I would not make this trade. Ohgren is too much of an unknown and Rossi is good but you're trading similar ppg while giving up that coveted size. A 3rd doesn't amount to much in my eyes.

Nelson has a few years left possibly but always a danger of a decline. Pass for me.

Tuch, hell yes though I suspect his value will shoot up when time to re-sign. I can see a solid 8m, which we could probably afford when the time comes.

Small sample size but Vinnie H seems to be effective and a possible Hartman replacement for not a lot of money. We can find a Trenin for less as well.

Overall, I like it. Just not sure if it's do-able.

 

[mnhockeyfan03]

6 minutes ago, Dango said:

He hasnt proved hes a better points producer than Rossi yet so i wouldnt risk the gamble at this point 

I have watched a fair amount of Kings games and he is worth Rossi plus whatever other 2 prospects they want such as Ohgren and lambos.  He is very solid 2 way player with alot of speed and young on a good contract.  I just dont see the Kings trading them without a wow but you have to try

[SkolWild73]

26 minutes ago, mnhockeyfan03 said:

I have watched a fair amount of Kings games and he is worth Rossi plus whatever other 2 prospects they want such as Ohgren and lambos.  He is very solid 2 way player with alot of speed and young on a good contract.  I just dont see the Kings trading them without a wow but you have to try

If he becomes available he is definitely worth the look.  A year younger than Rossi with a decent contract.  Obviously will not be until after the season.  Would be an odd player for the Kings to want to get rid of, but you never know.

[Dango]

The Wild haven't really had much success against the Kings and Rossi has 2 assists in 7 career games  VS  LA   so i dont think LA has been blown away by Rossi   Maybe they have scouts that watch other teams and seen more of him 

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[X44X]

Rossi for Byfield would be a horrible trade.

[Jakub K.]

I absolutely love Byfield he's a stud.

Byfield is much bigger than Rossi, faster than Rossi, has brought more value both offensively and defensively than Rossi in the last two seasons and is on a better contract than what Rossi will likely end up getting.

Yeah, that's not Rossi + Kumpulainen value, but rather Rossi + Ohgren/Yurov value, I'm out on that.

[MacGyver]

Byfield is going nowhere. The Kings have not given up on him nor should they. They are 4-3-3 in their last 10 including a ot loss to the Blues last night. They are buyers not sellers.  The Kings are not going to blow the team up by getting rid of Byfield at this stage of the game. They would need something back that we don't have like a Rantanen before they would even consider moving him.  Maybe we can get FiFi back? 😊 

[mnfaninnc]

18 hours ago, Citizen Strife said:

Tampa got Gourde and Bjorkstrand got the Kraken TWO first round picks (with all money retained, but still)

Suddenly, a 2nd for Nyquist at 50% doesn't sound so bad.

I guess the Kraken took the loss to the Wild rather hard.

[mnfaninnc]

I like Byfield a lot as a player, but in what universe is he even remotely available? MacGyver's right, unless they're getting a Rantanen type player, why would they even entertain such a thing? 

And if you're talking Rossi + Kumpulainen, what makes anyone think that their GM is still on the other line, unless he forgot to end the call and is laughing so hard at the offer. There isn't much of a market for Kumpulainen (even though I think the logic of adding him is flawed). Rossi likely commands attention, but I think the Kings are pretty happy with Byfield. You can see by what the Kings have done that they really value strength down the middle, and I don't see how Rossi would fit into their plans.

Kopitar is pretty old and will likely be winding it down soon. That's when Byfield gets his chance to play with the really skilled guys. 

Now, for the sake of argument, let's just say the trade was the other way around and we had Byfield. Would we be excited about trading Byfield to get Rossi and Kumpulainen? Yeah, I don't think so either. In fact, I'd see pitchforks heading towards Guerin's office if he did that. 

As for the PPG stats, Rossi appears to be in better shape currently than Byfield. While Rossi had a hard start to his career, he is looking like an elite point producing center. Points aren't everything, but he's also doing this without having Kaprizov around which makes it more impressive. He was a consistent producer earlier in the year, but that consistency has dropped off a bit with the injuries. Will Rossi ever truly be appreciated with his shortness? I do think he's higher than the 182 listed. 

I like the trade ideas, but one thing that is lacking is how this looks from the other side of the table. Throwing in a 3rd doesn't really move the needle from the other side. We need to be realistic on these things, and it seems like some of the ideas overrate what we have to offer. Sure, it works in a video game, but not in real life. 

[Spence6727]

Heavens NO! Byfield would only answer one need: size. And to consider trading Rossi for him? Good Lord NO! Rossi has the heart of a lion, and is undeterred by guys 6 inches taller and 40 pounds heavier. Light years ahead of Byfield with the puck.