Quinton Byfield trade rumours surface in Los Angeles: Three potential teams emerge
Photo credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Kings may be open to moving young center Quinton Byfield, according to NHL insider David Pagnotta.
Speaking on the October 28 episode of DFO Insider alongside Jeff Marek, Pagnotta floated the idea that Los Angeles could revisit its past interest in Vancouver's Elias Pettersson, with Byfield serving as the centerpiece going the other way.
Importantly, this was a scenario he raised, not a reported negotiation or a formal offer.
Why Byfield Is Part of the Conversation
The 24-year-old, drafted second overall in 2020, is signed at a $6.25 million cap hit through 2028-29. Production has been the issue this season, with just one goal and one assist through nine games.
Los Angeles needs more offense, and Byfield's contract and upside make him one of its most valuable trade chips.
The cap math is the hurdle. Pettersson carries an $11.6 million cap hit through 2031-32 and a no-movement clause, leaving a $5.35 million gap that would require salary retention or another contract heading back to Vancouver.
Three Teams That Could Land Byfield
These landing spots are projections, not reported interest.
Vancouver Canucks: The most obvious match. A 24-year-old center with size and a cheaper contract fits a team that may want to get younger, though the Canucks would want strong value for Pettersson.
Detroit Red Wings: With Dylan Larkin's future in Detroit unresolved, the Red Wings could need a long-term answer down the middle. Byfield would give interim GM Shawn Horcoff a young center to build around.
Utah Mammoth: Utah has a deep prospect pool and a young core, giving it the assets to pay for a 24-year-old center without gutting that group.
For now, this is trade market chatter rather than a done deal. Byfield's slow start could lower his value in the short term, and the Kings must decide whether his upside outweighs the offense they need right now.
Any real movement would likely need a follow-up report confirming talks between clubs. Keep an eye on whether Byfield finds his scoring touch, because that will shape his market.
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