Brian Boyle (The "He just plain sucks" Edition)

[The Sweetness]

The Rangers had no bodies at that point. Stu Bickel and Eminger were dressing at forward.

I doubt Tortorella saw Kreider play more than a game or 2 before he was up in the playoffs. While thats enough for the experts here to make a judgment on a players, its not enough in the real world.

And despite that Kreider played more minutes than someone like Brandon Prust who spent the entire season with the Rangers. We've seen Torts has no problems limiting playing time heavily if he doesn't trust someone, but he had enough confidence in Kreider to play him ahead of someone like Newbury who'd averaged a ppg in the AHL and who knew how to play a pro game.

I think that shows a certain degree of trust in Kreider.

 

[NYR Sting]

I thought he played WAY too much, and playing Callahan on his line really took away from Callahan's potential offensive production.

 

[NYR Viper]

I thought he played WAY too much, and playing Callahan on his line really took away from Callahan's potential offensive production.

I totally agree. Unfortunately, considering Richards can't seem to play with anyone, Nash seems to play his best with Hagelin, and Callahan and Gaborik don't play well together, that leaves limited line combinations.

 

[Ice Hockey]

the only major beef i have with torts is how much he plays this guy. he's what, 240 lbs? and softer than redden. the guy is a turnover machine. never, under any circumstances, should he be on a line with gaborik or ANY elite player. his body checks are soft. you'd think with his size, he would sacrifice for the team's advantage or maybe plow some D over in their endzone and CREATE a turnover or two. not to mention his stone hands. he is a big ***** and is hurting this team. should be traded or sent down.

 

[Thirty One]

his body checks are soft. you'd think with his size, he would sacrifice for the team's advantage or maybe plow some D over in their endzone and CREATE a turnover or two.

I don't understand your complaint.

He doesn't sacrifice his body for the team? I guess you know what it's like to block 83 shots, throw 236 hits and fight Jody Shelley.

If you want to say his hits aren't effective, that's one thing. It can't be proved or disproved, which makes it a very appealing argument for the anti-Boyle crowd. To say he doesn't sacrifice his body suggests make you seem a bit dim, IMO.

 

[JCrusher*]

I like Boyle as a 4th liner

 

[Trxjw]

I thought he played WAY too much, and playing Callahan on his line really took away from Callahan's potential offensive production.

I think he earned his ice time last night. He was one of the few forwards who really seemed engaged on every shift.

Cally shouldn't be on his wing, but where else is he going to play with Stepan/Nash and Richards/Gaborik as our C/RW combinations? He's not comfortable on the left, so unless we find a 3rd line center who he can gel with and move Boyle to wing or the 4th line, I don't see an alternative.

 

[OverTheCap]

I thought Boyle played well last night. But I have zero confidence in his offensive ability.

I could tell he was trying, but no amount of effort is going to force those weak backhanders into the net.

 

[NYR Sting]

I think he earned his ice time last night. He was one of the few forwards who really seemed engaged on every shift.

Cally shouldn't be on his wing, but where else is he going to play with Stepan/Nash and Richards/Gaborik as our C/RW combinations? He's not comfortable on the left, so unless we find a 3rd line center who he can gel with and move Boyle to wing or the 4th line, I don't see an alternative.

I don't know, he took a bunch of shots, most of which didn't really result in serious scoring chances. He landed a lot of hits, I guess. He was on the ice for the Boyes goal, and I thought he was way too aggressive against a phenomenal puckhandling and skating defenseman in Visnovsky, took himself out of position, and wasn't there to help out on the play that resulted in the Boyes goal.

The problem I have with a guy like Boyle is that no matter how hard he plays, no matter how engaged he is . . . what comes of it? The best you get from him is the kind of thing you want or are happy with from your fourth line: Keeping the puck pinned in the other team's zone. You expect some offensive contributions from your third line. You need them if you're a top team.

Absolutely, I believe Boyle needs to be moved to the 4th line. Unfortunately, with Richards and Stepan not exactly playing their best, the club can't afford to use Callahan in a role that will diminish his offensive production. They need it.

The team needs a real third line center. Miller needs to go back to Hartford where he can continue his development. It might be time to make a move for a player that is responsible defensively but can contribute more offensively than Boyle.

 

[Trxjw]

I don't know, he took a bunch of shots, most of which didn't really result in serious scoring chances. He landed a lot of hits, I guess. He was on the ice for the Boyes goal, and I thought he was way too aggressive against a phenomenal puckhandling and skating defenseman in Visnovsky, took himself out of position, and wasn't there to help out on the play that resulted in the Boyes goal.

The problem I have with a guy like Boyle is that no matter how hard he plays, no matter how engaged he is . . . what comes of it? The best you get from him is the kind of thing you want or are happy with from your fourth line: Keeping the puck pinned in the other team's zone. You expect some offensive contributions from your third line. You need them if you're a top team.

Absolutely, I believe Boyle needs to be moved to the 4th line. Unfortunately, with Richards and Stepan not exactly playing their best, the club can't afford to use Callahan in a role that will diminish his offensive production. They need it.

The team needs a real third line center. Miller needs to go back to Hartford where he can continue his development. It might be time to make a move for a player that is responsible defensively but can contribute more offensively than Boyle.

Eh, I can't entirely fault him on the Boyes goal. He's picking up two players because we were short a man in the defensive zone while Pyatt was getting a new stick. I thought he was really good on the forecheck and was really using his body effectively. That's the kind of game I want to see from him on a regular basis.

We're on the same page. I'd be just fine with Boyle as a 4th line option if we had someone better. Unfortunately there just isn't that two-way 3rd line option on our roster. We'll have to look elsewhere for that. Lars Eller maybe? Can't seem to find a spot on the Habs roster but he has some upside offensively and can play in both ends. Not a great faceoff guy, and his boardwork is mediocre, but giving him the right wingers might take some of the expectations off of him there.

Of course ROR would be ideal, but that's not happening with all the cap concerns about next season and his seemingly unreasonable demands.

 

[16 To Stanley*]

the only major beef i have with torts is how much he plays this guy. he's what, 240 lbs? and softer than redden. the guy is a turnover machine. never, under any circumstances, should he be on a line with gaborik or ANY elite player. his body checks are soft. you'd think with his size, he would sacrifice for the team's advantage or maybe plow some D over in their endzone and CREATE a turnover or two. not to mention his stone hands. he is a big ***** and is hurting this team. should be traded or sent down.

WHAT! He was nailing guys left and right last night. I agree, he was overplayed and shouldn't have been on a line with Gaborik. But to say he doesn't sacrifice his body is asinine. You clearly don't watch the games and if you do, you've got on some majorly tinted glasses.

 

[NYR Sting]

Eh, I can't entirely fault him on the Boyes goal. He's picking up two players because we were short a man in the defensive zone while Pyatt was getting a new stick. I thought he was really good on the forecheck and was really using his body effectively. That's the kind of game I want to see from him on a regular basis.

We're on the same page. I'd be just fine with Boyle as a 4th line option if we had someone better. Unfortunately there just isn't that two-way 3rd line option on our roster. We'll have to look elsewhere for that. Lars Eller maybe? Can't seem to find a spot on the Habs roster but he has some upside offensively and can play in both ends. Not a great faceoff guy, and his boardwork is mediocre, but giving him the right wingers might take some of the expectations off of him there.

Of course ROR would be ideal, but that's not happening with all the cap concerns about next season and his seemingly unreasonable demands.

I'd give Eller a chance. I always felt he had some untapped offensive potential. Yes, I'd love ROR, too. Him and Callahan on one team...wow.

I hate to say it, because I'm not a huge fan, but maybe Antropov would be a decent idea.

 

[Trxjw]

I'd give Eller a chance. I always felt he had some untapped offensive potential. Yes, I'd love ROR, too. Him and Callahan on one team...wow.

I hate to say it, because I'm not a huge fan, but maybe Antropov would be a decent idea.

To be completely honest, I'd almost be okay with getting ROR and rolling 3 #2 centers (assuming Miller ends up at that level) and ditching Richards. Almost... yeah, almost.

Antropov wouldn't be awful, but he's really lost the little speed he had to begin with.

 

[Kershaw]

I thought he played WAY too much, and playing Callahan on his line really took away from Callahan's potential offensive production.

Callahan has himself to blame for his lack of offensive production. The only player that had chemistry with him was Dubinsky. I think he plays his best playing with other grinder types, hence how a line with Richards-Callahan or Stepan-Callahan looks awful 90% of the time.

 

[NYRKindms]

WHAT! He was nailing guys left and right last night. I agree, he was overplayed and shouldn't have been on a line with Gaborik. But to say he doesn't sacrifice his body is asinine. You clearly don't watch the games and if you do, you've got on some majorly tinted glasses.

Brian Boyle did throw some decent checks last night and did use his size in a few circumstances. But those games a few and far between.

He plays the game of a man much much smaller than he is. As we saw last night HE CAN impose his size on other teams when he sets his mind to it. The problem is that he rarely does. Yes he blocks shots but he is on the slower side for skaters and is an offensive blackhole

The guy cannot create at all. The few chances he got last night were him trying to bull his way to the net. He didn't try to utilize his teammates on that line and when he did get to the net he either lost the puck or it was a weak shot.

Boyle needs to be playing 4th line and PK. He isn't a 3rd line center but the rangers don't have any other options.

 

[NYR Sting]

Callahan has himself to blame for his lack of offensive production. The only player that had chemistry with him was Dubinsky. I think he plays his best playing with other grinder types, hence how a line with Richards-Callahan or Stepan-Callahan looks awful 90% of the time.

What lack of production? That's absurd.

We're not talking about last season, when he played primarily with Richards, a guy that isn't a good fit for him, and still had a very good year offensively.

We're talking about the game against the Islanders.

And if you don't like the fit with Richards or Stepan, you might want to consider that both of them aren't very fast, where as Callahan is. It's not about grinding style; it's about speed.

Playing him with Boyle is a waste, because playing with Boyle. there is hardly any offense to speak of.

 

[Callagraves]

What lack of production? That's absurd.

We're not talking about last season, when he played primarily with Richards, a guy that isn't a good fit for him, and still had a very good year offensively.

We're talking about the game against the Islanders.

And if you don't like the fit with Richards or Stepan, you might want to consider that both of them aren't very fast, where as Callahan is. It's not about grinding style; it's about speed.

Playing him with Boyle is a waste, because playing with Boyle. there is hardly any offense to speak of.

Did you even check to see who you were replying to? Kershaw thinks that all Callahan is good for is stopping pucks and being a "media darling".

To him, playing Cally with Boyle will stifle Boyle's offensive production.

 

[Ice Hockey]

I like Boyle as a 4th liner

exactly. /thread

 

[McSauer]

Sooooo everyone’s favorite player around here has been pretty terrible since returning; what a shocker!

4 GP, 0 Points, -2, 3 blocks and 2 PIM that absolutely killed us last night and cost us 2 points.

The only area you can say he is ‘making a difference’ is in the hitting department (24 hits in those 4 games); even then, his weak follow through hits have no difference whatsover. He still plays like he is a foot shorter than he actually is.

And PLEASE don’t give me the ‘Oh, but he had 5 SOG in his first game back, and hit a critical post in the Montreal game!’; he has 3 SOG since that first game. He is an offensive black hole, and just brings the players around him down offensively. He has no business getting the minutes he gets; his best role on this team is the 13th forward, plain and simple.

Will all of the Boyle lovers here PLEASE enlighten me on his contributions to this team?? We were playing out best hockey of the season those games he was scratched, and then Boston gets a couple of lucky bounces to tie a game late and all of a sudden he is Torts’ savior again? I just don’t get it, I really don’t…

 

[Vitto79]

I am starting to agree Boyle is looking like the underachiever he was on the Kings when the Rangers dealt for him. He had one good year and besides that he's been a good PKer but nothing more

Time to move on from him, other teams will still see value at this time. I would package him in a deal to Winnipeg for Antropov. Jets can justify it by getting a player with another year on his deal . Rangers save cap space for next yr and get a guy who can atleast score a little back

 

[McSauer]

I am starting to agree Boyle is looking like the underachiever he was on the Kings when the Rangers dealt for him. He had one good year and besides that he's been a good PKer but nothing more

Time to move on from him, other teams will still see value at this time. I would package him in a deal to Winnipeg for Antropov. Jets can justify it by getting a player with another year on his deal . Rangers save cap space for next yr and get a guy who can atleast score a little back

Yup, he has one fluke half of a season, one hot week in two years since, and everyone thinks he is a top-9 player...NOPE. Can't believe he was a first rounder, bet you the Kings wish they could get a do-over on that one!

Would do that deal in a heartbeat...

 

[FATCHAMALA11]

This guy is useless dead weight. We bench him and win every game. He comes back and we suck. He has naked pictures of Torts for sure.

 

[Bardof425*]

I am one of the biggest proponents of limited Boyle's ice time because he is really bad with the puck. He not only can do nothing when he has it but he destroys scoring opportunities created by others with poor vision, instincts and positioning in the offensive zone.

However, today I am more upset at Richards, MDZ and Girardi. Danny G was responsible for both goals against last night; the first one obviously, and the second one he panicked left his position to block a shot he has not business trying to block leaving the weak side wide open when we are down a man. Two terrible decisions gave Ottawa two goals they never should have had. the other two are just skating in mud and playing very scared.

Yes, Boyle needs to be a 4th liner at best and Torts refuses to get that through his thick head. Although he did use Halp with Pyatt and Cally last night and that line played well so maybe, maybe Boyle will start getting the few minutes at ES that he has earned. btw, if not for the refs Halp would have scored last night. I think the writing is on the wall; this team is better when Brian Boyle sits.

 

[surf]

His bodychecks are pathetic..More like leaning on someone,once in a blue moon he will drill somebody but thats rare..He has zero offensive talent,and can't fight to save his life.I have never liked him and knew his 20 goals were a fluke.He will never sniff that again..If we can get a second for him this off season sign me up.

 

[surf]

....and ship Pyatt with him please