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

[Bardof425*]

Seriously... trolling. But I'll bite anyway.

Last year, in 1017 minutes of play, he was on the ice for only 38 goals all season drawing some of the toughest matchups. Only 28.8% of his shifts began in the offensive zone. One goal every 26 minutes. Patrice Bergeron, the Selke Winner, was on the ice for 34 ES goals in 1154 minutes of playing time, also against tough competition. 47.6% of his starts in the offensive zone. One goal every 34 minutes.

Boyle was on the ice for only 10 goals against short handed in 163 minutes of penalty killing time. Compare that to Patrice Bergeron's 17 goals against in 146 minutes of pk time.

Boyle's defensive statistics are comparable to Bergeron's, although Bergeron is obviously the far superior all around player, which is who the Selke typically will go to. I'm just focusing on defense here. Objective stats say that Boyle is a standout defensive center.

I'm not a fan of Boyle as a third line player, but that doesn't mean I don't see where his value lies.

These stats are nice and if Bergeron and Boyle played on the same team it would matter alot more. The Bruins had some tough times last year while we were solid throughout. Having Hank and our top 4 D behind BB definitely helps. I think you'd have a hard time finding "bad" defensive stats for more than a small handful of last year's Ranger team. We just didn't give up that many goals.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I love the fact that everyone on this team can skate now. Stepan may be our worst skater. It's painful to watch Boyle skate. Not saying that's the most important part of the game, but I love having a team that can finally skate. No Boyles, no Rupps, no Bickels.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Exactly...

The team will lose a game or two in the future believe it or not. And when they do, they won't look very good and then Boyle is going to get another shot.

I like Boyle... He deserved to sit but he'll figure it out and has been a very good player for this team. He's great in the lockeroom and that does mean something no matter how it contradicts the video game mentality.

And to disagree with something above, Guastad is not a legit heavyweight on any planet... He's a better fighter than Boyle but so are a lot of people.

That's assuming that we lose due to a lack of Brian Boyle, rather some of the 99% of the players on this team that are important than a 4th liner.

 

[Tawnos]

These stats are nice and if Bergeron and Boyle played on the same team it would matter alot more. The Bruins had some tough times last year while we were solid throughout. Having Hank and our top 4 D behind BB definitely helps. I think you'd have a hard time finding "bad" defensive stats for more than a small handful of last year's Ranger team. We just didn't give up that many goals.

We were solid throughout? We played .500 hockey from the beginning of February through the playoffs. Not what I call solid throughout.

I specifically chose Bergeron because he plays on a very similar team to us. We had Hank, McDonagh, Girardi, Del Zotto and a half a season of Sauer and half a season of half of Staal. They had Thomas, Chara, Seidenburg, Ference and Boychuk. Their goaltending and top 4 D was just as good as ours. The Bruins gave 1/5 of a goal per game more than we did. Hardly justifies your statement.

 

[Bardof425*]

If that's the case, why over the off-season were there quite a few teams fans who specifically were asking about acquiring Boyle?

He does the little things that win games and aren't flashy. Every team needs those guys. Fedotenko is a similar style of player. They seem to do well in the playoffs when there is less space and the simple plays normally create chances.

why were teams asking for him? Maybe they needed an adequate 4th line center. Or maybe they see his size and figure he will improve?

Here's what's funny. I see him doing the little things poorly outside of effort; which he always gives. The blocked shots elevate him in many people's eyes because they can't imagine having to do that and it is right in front of their face.

Fedetenko is not all that similar. He cycles the puck with a purpose; knows how to finish a play and is much, much stronger on his skates than BB will ever be. He has become more defensive minded over the years but his skill set is far superior to Boyle.

 

[TankLarkin]

trade Boyle for Colton Orr.

 

[Bardof425*]

I love the fact that everyone on this team can skate now. Stepan may be our worst skater. It's painful to watch Boyle skate. Not saying that's the most important part of the game, but I love having a team that can finally skate. No Boyles, no Rupps, no Bickels.

And Stepan is crafty on his skates. He plays the angles well and manages to put pressure on the opposing team even with his skating short comings. And Step wins alot of 50/50 battles and is getting better in the dot.

 

[16 To Stanley*]

and i quote

For many of us he was never a hero. Just a big bungling clod that played over his head from time to time. The effort is usually there; the execution rarely. Torts has protected this guy long enough as did Pruster. With #8 gone he is being exposed for the AHL player that he is. Get used to it.

Pretty sure you're calling him an AHL player there

 

[NYROrtsFan]

That's assuming that we lose due to a lack of Brian Boyle, rather some of the 99% of the players on this team that are important than a 4th liner.

If it was that simple then you would never change out 4th liners...

 

[Bleed Blue 24 7]

trade Boyle for Colton Orr.

god damn I wish this would happen

 

[Bardof425*]

We were solid throughout? We played .500 hockey from the beginning of February through the playoffs. Not what I call solid throughout.

I specifically chose Bergeron because he plays on a very similar team to us. We had Hank, McDonagh, Girardi, Del Zotto and a half a season of Sauer and half a season of half of Staal. They had Thomas, Chara, Seidenburg, Ference and Boychuk. Their goaltending and top 4 D was just as good as ours. The Bruins gave 1/5 of a goal per game more than we did. Hardly justifies your statement.

I meant solid defensively. And even in Feb and March I never felt like the wheels were coming off. The only tough period was around the trading deadline and that didn't last long. Pretty solid. We were 5th in the league on the pk while they were 11th. We were much better in net which covers for alot of mistakes. How do you factor in that the Vezina trophy winner played for us and Tim Thomas was on his way out?

 

[Bardof425*]

and i quote



Pretty sure you're calling him an AHL player there

That's one tirade. Generally, I don't reference him that way.

 

[16 To Stanley*]

That's one tirade. Generally, I don't reference him that way.

So what do you really think he is. Most of your posts seem to generalize him as a borderline NHL player, which is absurd.

 

[Cmox]

Has anyone watched the first episode of Behind the Bench this season? If you remember what Torts said about looking down the bench and knowing the players, chemistry and losing some of that (depth)because of the trades and other things? I dunno, I think trading Boyle as some people are saying will screw with chemistry. He won't be traded.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Has anyone watched the first episode of Behind the Bench this season? If you remember what Torts said about looking down the bench and knowing the players, chemistry and losing some of that (depth)because of the trades and other things? I dunno, I think trading Boyle as some people are saying will screw with chemistry. He won't be traded.

He's not even playing right now. Unless you mean the players will pout because their buddy got traded. You're massively reaching then.

 

[Cmox]

I'm more so talking about depth.

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

Once the shine from Asham's goal wears off, please replace him with Boyle, Torts.

 

[Hire Sather]

god damn I wish this would happen

Do you really? Do you think its smart to trade a proven 3rd line defensive center for a 4th line goon? Seriously? You realize how absurd that is?

 

[NYR Viper]

Once the shine from Asham's goal wears off, please replace him with Boyle, Torts.

I don't think Asham will leave the line-up. He knows his role, good teammate, good skater, good shot, brings jam.

I know it may not be popular at this point but I believe Miller will end up doing back down to the AHL

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

I don't think Asham will leave the line-up. He knows his role, good teammate, good skater, good shot, brings jam.

I know it may not be popular at this point but I believe Miller will end up doing back down to the AHL

That's also a possibility, if not probable, but I think Miller has done more for our 2 game win streak than Asham has. Before last night I haven't really seen any of Asham's skating, shot, or jam besides that one fight he tied.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I don't think Asham will leave the line-up. He knows his role, good teammate, good skater, good shot, brings jam.

I know it may not be popular at this point but I believe Miller will end up doing back down to the AHL

Miller's fate is an absolute toss-up. Cant fault the organization with either way it decides to go.

Agree about Asham. The fact he can drop the gloves gives him a spot in the lineup. I think Halpern eventually breaks down and Boyle takes his spot. They are interchangeable parts as far as Im concerned.

 

[NYR Viper]

That's also a possibility, if not probable, but I think Miller has done more for our 2 game win streak than Asham has. Before last night I haven't really seen any of Asham's skating, shot, or jam besides that one fight he tied.

He played well in TB last time they played. Until recently he had been getting practically no ice time with Rupp on his line....

 

[TankLarkin]

Do you really? Do you think its smart to trade a proven 3rd line defensive center for a 4th line goon? Seriously? You realize how absurd that is?

guess you weren't born when Orr played for the Rangers. Goon is such an overused term these days. Steve Durbano and Jimmy Mann were goons.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I don't think Asham will leave the line-up. He knows his role, good teammate, good skater, good shot, brings jam.

I know it may not be popular at this point but I believe Miller will end up doing back down to the AHL

I will seriously riot if Miller gets sent down to the AHL for Boyle. We are supposed to be a cup contending team. I know he's 19, but unless he completely falls off Miller gives us a much better chance to win the cup that Boyle. We have no 3rd line with Boyle as center. It would be a DISGRACEFUL decision to send Miller back. I will go on record as saying that the Rangers will never win a cup with Boyle on the 3rd line, especially as a center. No cup contender should have Boyle as their 3rd line center. Hell, I'm wondering if Boyle should be on the team at all. Right now everyone on the team can skate. Put Boyle in and you have a slug on one of your lines.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

guess you weren't born when Orr played for the Rangers. Goon is such an overused term these days. Steve Durbano and Jimmy Mann were goons.

Are you implying that Orr added anything else to the Rangers besides his fists?