NHL Rumors: Insider Reveals Truth Behind LA Kings' Byfield Trade Talk at Deadline

There continues to be plenty of information leaking out from what really went on at the trade deadline. Many were shocked when they heard the Los Angeles Kings' blossoming forward Quinton Byfield's name out there. Insider Elliotte Friedman has revealed the truth behind it, and naturally, it all has to do with the Kings' ill-fated pursuit of Mikko Rantanen from Carolina.

According Friedman, on his 32 Thoughts podcast, in addition to the fact that Rantanen made it clear he wouldn't be signing an extension in LA, the price tag of the Hurricanes asking for Byfield in a return package for what would then be just a rental simply wasn't cutting it:

The ask was such that they said, 'We're not doing that.'... That's how I think Byfield's name got out there. Not because the Kings really had him out there, but because they were asked... I was curious how his name got out there, it didn't really make any sense.

In hindsight, that looks like a brilliant decision by the Kings. Since the trade deadline, Byfield, the former second overall pick (2020 Draft) has gone on a six consecutive game goal scoring streak, and now has 17 points in 17 games since the start of February.

After his first 20-goal season last year implied big things to come, Byfield is having that next breakout over the past couple of months, and is up to 17 goals in 66 games, on pace for a new career high of 21. He's in the first season of a five-year, $6.25 million AAV contract, and the Kings were not about to surrender him now.

“I think the confidence, you can see it,” said Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson, per Eric Stephens in The Athletic. “Just the way he moves out there. He touches the puck. He wants it on his stick. He makes some plays. Yeah, he’s been really fun to watch and someone we’re going to want to have keep going in that direction. It’s awesome.”

Is Byfield the difference-maker the Kings are looking for come playoff-time?

“Somebody can decide when he hits the threshold on that,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said. “I think he’s been a difference maker for us for some time.”