NHL Buzz: Byfield makes debut for Kings against Ducks

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2020-21 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

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Los Angeles Kings

Quinton Byfield made his NHL debut against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday (BSW, KDOC, BSW+, NHL.TV).
"Everything is up in the air, nothing is guaranteed here, so I was just trying to stay focused on the task," Byfield said after practice Tuesday.
The center, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, took part in the morning skate on a line with Adrian Kempe and Trevor Moore.
"I'm going to call his number and let him play," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "I don't know how many penalties there will be or anything like that, but he'll see some power-play time. I don't know where he'll fit in on the penalty kill. … We're not playing him to hide him. We're playing him to let him experience things so he should be able to handle a regular shift. We expect him to."
Byfield scored 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 30 games for Ontario of the American Hockey League this season.
"The first half of the season I wasn't the greatest player but I kind of just got more comfortable, more confidence and started to develop, so I think it helped me quite a bit over there," Byfield said.
The Kings (18-22-6) were seventh in the eight-team Honda West Division, eight points behind the fourth-place St. Louis Blues for the final Stanley Cup Playoff berth. The Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild have qualified from the division.
"He's worked hard to get here," McLellan said. "We don't want to overload any individuals, certainly not an 18-year old coming into the League, so I'm going to use that cliche of, 'Play the game, enjoy the moment, take everything in'. … I think he'll create some excitement for our hockey club as well."-- Dan Greenspan

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Chicago Blackhawks

Adam Boqvist is out for the season with a broken right wrist.
The defenseman was injured when he was hit by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak 5:03 into the second period of a 7-4 loss Tuesday. He scored 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 35 games this season.
"I don't think he's going to need surgery," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said Wednesday. "Obviously that's a positive. At this point, it's going to put a bit of a crimp in his workout plans, but he'll do everything he can to improve his conditioning so he can play at his highest level for longer. He's improved a lot this year, I think it's just the overall fitness that he can bring. That's going to help him a lot."
Boqvist missed 11 games from Jan. 26-Feb. 15 because of NHL COVID-19 protocol and three games from April 15-19 while in concussion protocol.
"I do think that he's improved," Colliton said after the game Tuesday. "Certainly it's been unfortunate that his momentum has been stopped a few times by having him miss time when he's been rolling and playing well. But that's part of his development as well into a pro, finding a way to be a bit more durable and play more games. But he's improved away from the puck, his confidence on the puck, and I like the direction he's headed. Just unfortunate he's going to miss some games here."
The Blackhawks (22-22-5) are sixth in the eight-team Discover Central Division, seven points behind the fourth-place Nashville Predators for the final Stanley Cup Playoff berth. The Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Lightning have qualified from the division.
Chicago hosts the Florida Panthers on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NBCSCH, NHL.TV). -- Tracey Myers