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The Los Angeles Kings have emerged into one of the National Hockey League’s best teams since play resumed after the 4 Nations Face-Off — and 22-year-old Quinton Byfield has been a huge reason why.
The former second overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft has been on a heater as of late, scoring seven goals over his last 10 games. The Kings have won nine of those as they continue to surge over the last month of the season.
“[Byfield] has been our best player for quite a while now,” LA captain Anze Kopitar told NHL.com’s Tracey Myers earlier this week. “It’s really great to see him confident on the ice and doing all the things that he’s been doing. I guess we just had to wait a little bit longer than anticipated, but he’s been a force for this team. He’s been winning us games.”
“I think the confidence, you can see it,” echoed defenseman Mikey Anderson, per The Athletic’s Eric Stephens. “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.”
After breaking out to the tune of a career-high 20 goals and 55 points in 2023-24, Byfield has managed 44 points over 70 outings this year, while averaging over 18 minutes a night as the Kings’ second-line center.
Considering he didn’t score a single goal over his first 13 games, it’s an impressive tear for the youngster.
“I think my game is in a good spot,” Byfield told Myers.
Along with outstanding goaltending from Darcy Kuemper and a stingy defensive unit led by a now fully healthy Drew Doughty, the Kings are 40-21-9 and just five points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for tops in the Pacific Division — with a game in hand.
Quinton Byfield, Kings surging at perfect time
The Kings haven’t advanced past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since winning their second championship in three years back in 2014. But the roster is hungry to make some noise when the highly-anticipated tournament commences next month.
“There were a lot of doubters at the beginning of the year for whatever reason, but I think at the beginning of the year we knew what we had, and we know how good of a team we are,” Byfield told Myers.
“We’re really happy where we are as a team, but I think our home record says it all (26-3-4). We want to get better on the road so we have to figure that out, but other than that, we’re in a really good spot and excited for the playoffs.”
With 12 games left in their regular-season, there’s still a chance the Kings can leapfrog the Knights and win the division. If that doesn’t happen, it’ll be a fourth consecutive Round 1 date with the Edmonton Oilers.
And for the first time in years, they might actually be the favorites.
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Frank Seravalli Drops Concerning Update on Kyle Connor's Future with the Winnipeg Jets
NHL insider Frank Seravalli provided a grim update on the Kyle Connor extension talks with the Jets, stating that there appears to be no sense of urgency. Earlier this offseason, Winnipeg rumors suggested the Jets would make signing their top right-winger, Kyle Connor, who will become a UFA in 2026, their number-one priority. He reached July 1 eligibility to sign a new deal, but six weeks in, nothing much has materialized except for exploratory talks, says insider Frank Seravalli. The holdout, per Frank Seravalli, appears to be a case of indecision on Kyle Connor's behalf, as the 28-year-old weighs his options prior to the most pivotal portion of his career. It's understandable given his performance and worth to the market. Re Kyle Connor: 'I don't think they've had much by way of extension talks, my understanding is that the Connor camp is not in very much of a rush to get something done, and that they want to evaluate their options.' - Frank Seravalli In 613 games, Connor has 284 goals and 582 points, third and fourth in Jets/Thrashers franchise history. Connor has More Goals Than Some Incredible NHL Players Since He Entered the League Since joining the league in 2016-17, he ranks 12th in league goals ahead of stars such as Brad Marchand, Artemi Panarin, and Steven Stamkos. He registered 41 goals and a career best 97 points last season, pacing Winnipeg in scoring and receiving MVP consideration for the first time. He's been at a 41-goal clip in three of the last four seasons, including 34 goals in 65 games in 2023-24. For a Jets franchise heavily dependent on its first line, especially following the free-agency departure of Nikolaj Ehlers, Connor is essential. Depth scoring is in flux, with Cole Perfetti still learning the ropes and Jonathan Toews a wild card during his NHL comeback. Retaining Connor is also essential for a team that struggles to sign big UFAs. Even with a supposedly deep 2026 free-agency class, replacing his offense outside is far from a certainty. AFP Analytics values Connor's next contract at eight years and $12M annually, factoring in the projected 2026-27 salary cap increase to $104M. If he is genuinely committed to testing the marketplace, Winnipeg could need to push that number upwards to the $13-14M territory to keep him in Manitoba, which may not be in the plans of GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.
Green Bay Packers 4th Round Rookie Heralded As Steal Of The Draft
The Green Bay Packers’ front office has made a habit of unearthing underappreciated talent in the NFL Draft, and rookie Barryn Sorrell might be their latest gem. A fourth-round pick out of Texas, Sorrell has turned heads in training camp and delivered a standout performance in the Packers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets. It’s early, but the buzz is building—Sorrell could be the steal of the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s a closer look at Sorrell’s impressive week, why coaches are raving about him, and what his role on the team could look like as the season unfolds. Green Bay Packers Barryn Sorrell: Preseason Debut Though the Green Bay Packers fell short against the Jets in their preseason opener, Sorrell’s debut was nothing short of promising. Lining up on the defensive edge, the rookie flashed the explosiveness and technique that made him a standout for the Texas Longhorns in college. Pro Football Focus gave Sorrell a team-best pass rush grade of 87.9 for the game, showcasing his ability to generate pressure. While Green Bay didn’t record a sack as a team, Sorrell came close on multiple occasions, recording two quarterback hits and two pressures. On one notable snap, he effortlessly tossed Jets tackle Max Mitchell aside before delivering a clean shot on quarterback Brady Cook, demonstrating a pass rush technique well beyond his years. “He looked sharp out there—really sharp,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said after the game. “For a young guy stepping into this environment, his ability to impact the game with consistent pressure is what we want to see moving forward.” The Work Ethic That Sets Him Apart What has impressed coaches just as much as Sorrell’s on-field performance is his relentless effort and commitment to improvement. Practice reports continually highlight his hustle during drills and scrimmages. From chasing down plays to perfecting minor details in his technique, Sorrell has demonstrated the kind of mindset that coaches love to see in young players. “He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop,” linebackers coach Sean Duggan said. “When you see a guy like Barryn putting in that level of effort, it elevates the whole group. That’s been his reputation since he arrived in Green Bay.” That reputation has driven Sorrell to stand out during training camp and preseason, setting him apart despite a crowded defensive rotation. Why Sorrell Is Being Dubbed a Steal Draft analysts have been quick to call Sorrell one of the smartest picks of the 2025 Draft, though hindsight reveals just how much of a sleeper he was going in. Coming out of Texas, Sorrell had been productive at the collegiate level, showcasing a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. However, concerns about his relatively modest size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) for an every-down edge rusher caused him to slide to the fourth round. It’s now becoming clear that those concerns were overstated. General manager Brian Gutekunst, who has built a reputation for finding value in the mid-to-late rounds, once again seems to have struck gold. Sorrell’s early success highlights why many now believe that he should have gone much earlier in the draft. “There’s zero reason he should’ve fallen that far,” said one AFC scout. “The Packers got a guy with Day 2 talent in the fourth round, and it won’t take long before he proves it.” Eyes on the Future The Packers’ philosophy of building through the draft has rarely been more evident than in their approach to Barryn Sorrell. With veteran leadership guiding him and coaches invested in his development, the rookie appears to be in a near-perfect situation to succeed. For a team looking to solidify its defensive identity, finding a player like Sorrell is invaluable. His work ethic, playmaking ability, and high football IQ give him every chance of being a long-term cornerstone for Green Bay’s pass rush. Final Thoughts It’s far too early for definitive conclusions, but Barryn Sorrell’s introduction to the NFL has Green Bay Packers fans excited. His performance in camp and the preseason has already exceeded expectations, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be an immensely bright future. If his current trajectory holds, Sorrell won’t just be a steal of the draft—he’ll be a key piece in the Packers’ ongoing pursuit of greatness.
Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.
Giants force Jets' Justin Fields into familiar problem at joint practice
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was a little more accurate on Wednesday than he was in his "alarming" performance during joint practice with the New York Giants on Tuesday. Still, the fifth-year quarterback had a familiar issue pop up. Per Dan Duggan and Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic, Fields took several sacks against a Giants defense that brought the house on a shaky Jets offensive line. Via The Athletic: "On the other field, the Giants defensive front carried over its domination from Tuesday, giving Jets quarterback Justin Fields and his offensive line plenty of problems. Camp stats are subjective, especially when it comes to sacks, but the Giants appeared to get to Fields for four sacks. "Similar to Tuesday, there were moments when it was hard to tell exactly who was causing problems as the Giants sent multiple bodies in the backfield. Fields, who went 7-of-11 on the day, had a few overthrows on plays that likely were sacks." Fields did have a couple of long runs on a Giants defense that struggled against the rush in 2024. While Fields has a unique ability to add to the running game, the Jets need the 2021 first-round pick to push the ball down the field in the passing game. Fields has always had a problem with being indecisive in the pocket, leading to his taking too many sacks since entering the league. He led the league with 55 sacks in 2022 and has taken 151 in his four-year career. The Ohio State product took 16 sacks during his six starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. In camp, Fields doesn't have to worry about taking body blows from sacks that lead to injuries. That will happen in the regular season if he plays how he practiced on Wednesday.
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