Los Angeles Kings Call Up Top Prospect

The Los Angeles Kings have called up Quinton Byfield. He is also expected to play in Thursday night's game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Byfield sustained an ankle fracture during the preseason and was unable to make the NHL roster because of it. Since recovering from it, he has played in 11 games with the Ontario Reign, where he has four goals and two assists. Although he certainly hasn't been dominant offensively, it's clear that Los Angeles has liked what they are seeing from him - hence the call-up.

The 2020 second-overall pick played in six games with the Kings last season and had an assist. He primarily played with the Reign, though, and did well. In 32 games, he had eight goals and 12 helpers. That wasn't bad production at all for the kid's first taste of professional hockey.

Although drafted almost two years ago, Byfield is still 19 years old, and his birthday doesn't come until August. Thus, whether he finishes the year in Los Angeles or back with Ontario, he will still be a teenager getting used to professional hockey. With this, it's important to practice patience with him. The 6-foot-4 center has the tools to be a very good NHLer but is still very young.

Alas, Kings fans should be excited to see what the kid can do this go-around.