
Quinton Byfield returns for the Ontario Reign along with other news and notes around the National Hockey League.
After being sidelined with a fractured ankle for just over two months, Kings’ prospect Quinton Byfield suited up for his first game of the 2021-22 campaign with the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League.
Byfield didn’t record any points, but the Reign won 4-2 over the San Diego Gulls, and he looked very poised and solid.
“He looked good. Being off for that long, and as a team, we started a little bit slow, and as the game went on, you could see his talent, skating, and ability to make plays. Little things, like him and Akil as a pair on the penalty kill. They were able to end a lot of plays and play well with detail. It was obviously nice to have him, and again, I thought he played well,” interim head coach Chris Hajt said on Byfield’s play.
It’ll be interesting to see how quickly Byfield can get back to Los Angeles at the NHL stage.
- The Arizona Coyotes have been in a lot of the news for the wrong reasons. A couple of days ago, Katie Strang of The Athletic even reported that they might be locked out of their home stadium at the Gila River. However, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that the team is not moving anywhere outside of Arizona.
Bettman says there’s no issue with the Arizona Coyotes. Downplayed the concerns. “The Coyotes aren’t going anywhere,” Bettman said addressing rumours of the team moving to another market.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 10, 2021
- Bettman also told the media that the league would be meeting with the Quebec government regarding a potential franchise in Quebec City in the future. However, he reiterated that the Coyotes would not be relocated for Quebec and said that the league does not want another expansion.
- In World Junior hockey news, the Winnipeg Jets have loaned Cole Perfetti to Team Canada, while the New Jersey Devils allow Alexander Holtz to represent Team Sweden. You’ve got to wonder if Byfield is loaned to Canada or not.
- Sidney Crosby and the Penguins bested Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals in their 60th career head-to-head meeting. I will miss that rivalry when those two hang up the skates.
THREE WINS IN A ROW! 👏
The Penguins defeat the Capitals on the road, 4-2. pic.twitter.com/j8gb4ipxuz
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 11, 2021
- The Colorado Avalanche has become the first team since the 1995-96 Penguins to score 7+ goals in three straight games. They took down the Detroit Red Wings 7-3 last night.
- Also, this is just fun!
Avs fans all singing Blink 182 is the highlight of the night pic.twitter.com/GQHrQMoZn9
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 11, 2021
- Max Pacioretty is on a five-game goal-scoring streak, tying Erik Haula and William Karlsson for the longest in franchise history. He has SEVEN through that span.
Max Pacioretty with his 9th goal, 2nd of the game on a rocket from his office on the PP. One of the best pure goal scorers in the NHL. #PatchOn🔥 pic.twitter.com/kx2uXFNTBk
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) December 11, 2021
- The Ottawa Senators placed defenseman Michael Del Zotto on waivers. He has two goals, six points through 10 games played this season. He signed a two-year contract worth $2 million annually this past offseason.
- John Tortorella had some interesting words regarding that beautiful set-up from Trevor Zegras to Sonny Milano the other night. “I’m just not so sure it’s good for the game,” Torts said. “I’d have a talk with the people after the game, and again I’m not trying to be difficult about it, it’s fun to watch, it’s really cool, but I just think our game has gone so far away from what the game should be, a hard game, an honest game.
"I'm just not so sure it's good for the game"
John Tortorella gives his opinion on the Milano/Zegras goal that shook the hockey world earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/gQWDV67UMA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 11, 2021