Top 2 NHL draft picks in 2020 proving that being a high pick doesn’t make you a star

Top NHL draft picks Alexis Lafrenière and Quinton Byfield haven’t lived up to expectations. Lafrenière was the first overall pick in 2020, and Byfield was right behind him at number 2. As for Lafrenière, he hasn’t met the expectations placed on him after being compared to the next Sidney Crosby. For Byfield, he hasn’t been able to eclipse 60-points yet in his career.

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Who is in a better situation to succeed?

Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) skates against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Both players have talent around them. Artemi Panarin has joined the Los Angeles Kings and will be playing on the same line as Byfield. Byfield has been getting top minutes, and he earned the most ice time this season (20:01). His point totals haven’t been what the Kings fanbase has probably asked for. All seasons have been under 60 points, and for the majority of his career, he has been healthy.

For Lafrenière, he has a great coach, Mike Sullivan, and has a new winger to pass the ball to with Pavel Dorofeyev. When Panarin was dealt to the Kings, Lafrenière exploded and turned heads. When Lafrenière entered the NHL, he wasn’t getting top minutes right away, which hurt him. Prospects don’t do well with playing with bottom-six players. If he can continue the play that he ended off with, he could be in for a strong year.

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Both teams need more from their top picks

Apr 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield (55) reacts during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images

With the Kings, Quinton Byfield is their number one center, which means lots of responsibility and playing with Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin; then the Kings should look to get 70-plus points out of their first-line center. Peter Laviolette is their new bench boss, and if young players learn anything, you need to be a star in it, and you will get rewarded under Laviolette’s system. If not, Byfield may be getting bounced around the Kings’ lineup.

Alexis Lafreniere is going to be playing big minutes for the Rangers, and they need him to produce. J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Alexis Lafreniere’s expectations are going to be high. Then you supplement Gabe Perrault too. Mike Sullivan has weapons and Lafreniere’s playmaking ability; the goal should be 70 points for him. His career high is 57 points, and playing with Dorofeyev and Zibanejad can help Lafrenière have an enormous season.

Quinton Byfield and Alexis Lafrenière are still young, which is good, but Lafrenière got a big contract. Alexis Lafrenière is signed to a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension and now needs to play very well. Byfield’s contract is big too. He signed a five-year, $31.25 million contract on July 15, 2024 

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