LA Kings: Quinton Byfield will be out indefinitely with a left ankle fracture

The LA Kings have announced that forward Quinton Byfield will be out indefinitely with a left ankle fracture. The former 2020 second overall pick left Tuesday’s game after getting his foot stuck awkwardly against the boards early in the third period.

Here was the Byfield injury. Let's hope for the best. pic.twitter.com/sarrXHF4CX

— Hockey Royalty (@Hockey_Royalty) October 6, 2021

Byfield immediately tried to get up but returned to the ice before he was helped off and down to the locker room. The Kings recalled Alex Turcotte, Rasmus Kupari, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Arthur Kaliyev earlier on Wednesday, so the odds seem favorable for one of them to make the Opening Night roster.

The Newmarket, Ontario native was on track to make the final 23-man roster after surviving the roster trim down to 34 players but really 27 when you factor in the players on waivers and Akil Thomas’s injury preventing him from being assigned.

When Byfield is healthy enough to return, I would imagine that he begins the year in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, with the hope that he can join the NHL club shortly after that.

With Quinton Byfield out for an extended period, who should be the opening night fourth line center?#GoKingsGo

— Hockey Royalty (@Hockey_Royalty) October 7, 2021