Kings’ Warren Foegele Key to Quinton Byfield’s Transition

One of the biggest things the Los Angeles Kings had to look forward to this season was the return of Quinton Byfield to the center position. It was time, with Captain Anze Kopitar entering his 19th season. Rob Blake is still currently grasping at filling the void that would be left without a Kopitar replacement.

The hype over Byfield’s move back to center was further facilitated by the potential union of him and Kevin Fiala. Surprisingly, Fiala's tenure with the Kings has seen the Swiss player move up and down the lineup more than any other forward.

The Fiala-Byfield combo did not exactly work out as planned, as Fiala found himself back with Phillip Danault. Fortunately for Byfield, he found an excellent partner that was acquired in the offseason.

Warren Foegele might just be the third or fourth-best forward on the roster. While not putting up the same numbers as Kevin Fiala, he's been the team’s best depth piece and the best offseason acquisition by a country mile. With 15 points in 30 games and a +12, you couldn't ask for more from a depth signing.

Foegele has been paired with Byfield for most of the year, including in the young center's transition to the penalty kill. As a pair, they attack the opposition with their speed and range, becoming two-way threats and one of the best possession PK duos in the league.

The pair of Foegele and Byfield operate well enough at even strength (52.25% Corsi, outscoring opponents 10-8 and outshooting 92-87 in 223:04 via NaturalStatTrick). However, it is Foegele who, away from Byfield, is one of the best spark plugs in the lineup.

When away from Byfield, Foegele carries a 60.24% Corsi, outshooting opponents while he's on the ice 97-50, an almost two-to-one margin. On top of this, the team outscores opponents 9-1 while he's away from Byfield. It would appear that the team's play dips when the two are paired together.

That's not to say the pairing is poor, as they've done well together. It is more indicative of Foegele impact on the team in a holistic manner and might be starting to take hold of Byfield as the two continue to grow their chemistry.

This chemistry and growth were on full display against the New York Rangers in their last contest, when the duo, including Tanner Jeannot, put up more 'Foegele-like' analytics. In the 8:51 together, they carried a 62.50% Corsi, outscoring the Rangers 2-0. There's some merit to Jeannot's placement and effect on the line. But based on Foegele's underlying analytics, he's been the key to the cog wherever he's been placed.

So, while Byfield’s transition to center has been exciting for Kings fans as he takes steps towards taking up the mantle as 1C, not enough credit is given to the Foegele effect.

The Stanley Cup finalist from last season has excelled at playing with high-end talent, such as Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Byfield is neither of those two, but Foegele has proven to be quite the complementary player in his career.

Foegele isn't the overly dynamic type who would be defined as a game-breaker, high-end shooter, or one who should be lauded as the guy who prompted excellent production out of his former counterparts in Edmonton. However, he's been essential in the early onset of Byfield's attempt to reach his full potential.