Could Boyle play as a forward?

[Alwalys]

Just a little thought experiment, could Mr Boole be a good forward? Maybe a St Louis type, smaller guy but quick, shifty and great hands?

The moves I see him put on in shootouts make me go Hmm. Judging by how much more often Burns gets to use his skills as a forward, Boyle might be wicked good in the role. Just as long as he doesn't get clocked too much. Might be something to see at least once before he retires

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[NWShark*]

Of course. He probably has the slickest hands on the team. He likes to hang onto the puck a little too much though which could be a problem in the offensive zone. He doesn't have the big body to ward big D men off like thornton.

 

[rangerssharks414]

I think he could play decently at forward, but I'd rather have him play 22 minutes or so as a defenseman rather than 18 minutes or so as a forward.

 

[The Ice Hockey Dude]

I don't think he's that "quick" as a forward, a little on the smallish side also. I agree it might be fun to watch.

My idea of fun is Jumbo on defense..

 

[Alwalys]

Well I meant, play at forward at a high enough level so as to be worth playing him as forward, like Burns. Obviously anyone can "play" forward, just put them as forward lol

Jumbo as defense ... I cannot even fathom it. Unpossible!

 

[WTFetus]

Well I meant, play at forward at a high enough level so as to be worth playing him as forward, like Burns. Obviously anyone can "play" forward, just put them as forward lol

Doubt it. He has the hands and the agility, but he isn't that fast, he's small, and his boardwork isn't great. In my opinion, he could be a 2/3 line tweener, but definitely not a first line winger like Burns.

 

[slocal]

Dammit, juan! This is what happens when you're sleep-deprived

 

[ChubbChubby]

Boyle is too small and doesn't excel at boardwork. He won't do as well as Burns who is about as physically gifted as they come.

Also I don't think Boyle can handle forward minutes and would get way too exhausted on the forecheck every shift.

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

Boyle-Marleau-Havlat would be entertaining, but realistically speaking? I don't think it would work out long term.

 

[Alwalys]

Beast Burns is truly an animal. Animal!

Dammit, juan! This is what happens when you're sleep-deprived

Hey I just think Boyle probably has the most creativity with the puck on the team. He uses it for underrated defensive plays all the time, to escape tight situations near or behind the net.

 

[OldAsianSharksFan]

Doubt it. He has the hands and the agility, but he isn't that fast, he's small, and his boardwork isn't great. In my opinion, he could be a 2/3 line tweener, but definitely not a first line winger like Burns.

This. Also, Burns' shot > Boyle's shot

 

[Alwalys]

This. Also, Burns' shot > Boyle's shot

I don't know if I can say that. Boyle has a great shot and is super accurate. He can go top shelf from a couple feet out too. Burns definitely has more power though, but Boyle has quite a bit for a little guy.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I don't know if I can say that. Boyle has a great shot and is super accurate. He can go top shelf from a couple feet out too. Burns definitely has more power though, but Boyle has quite a bit for a little guy.

Different kinds of shots. Burns has a wicked wrister, which is important for a forward. Boyle's is a slapper, not quite what forwards need.

 

[lsx]

Different kinds of shots. Burns has a wicked wrister, which is important for a forward. Boyle's is a slapper, not quite what forwards need.

What are you talking about? Boyle has scored a ton of goals with wrist shots from the hash marks on the PP. They run a cycle and he drops in for a cross ice pass, it's a common set play of theirs.

 

[OldAsianSharksFan]

I don't know if I can say that. Boyle has a great shot and is super accurate. He can go top shelf from a couple feet out too. Burns definitely has more power though, but Boyle has quite a bit for a little guy.

I think that Burns' shot is pretty accurate too. Not as accurate as Boyle's, but still pretty accurate. That's why I think Burns' shot is better.

Different kinds of shots. Burns has a wicked wrister, which is important for a forward. Boyle's is a slapper, not quite what forwards need.

I think it's the other way around. Boyle scores most of his goals wristing shots to the top of the corners from below the top of the circles. Burns' one-timer is second-to-none on the team.

 

[Juxtaposer]

What are you talking about? Boyle has scored a ton of goals with wrist shots from the hash marks on the PP. They run a cycle and he drops in for a cross ice pass, it's a common set play of theirs.

I'm not saying Boyle doesn't have a wrister, but that it's not as good as Burns'. Burns' wrister is so good, he uses it from the point. Boyle has the better slapshot.

 

[WTFetus]

Burns' one-timer is second-to-none on the team.

Burns does one-time wristers though. I think he scored like 3 goals off slapshots in his career.

 

[Alwalys]

Boyle says yes

[Mod]

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

Burns does one-time wristers though. I think he scored like 3 goals off slapshots in his career.

That's how I scored literally every single goal in NHL 12 though

 

[WTFetus]

Boyle says yes

He scored because he was playing D there. If he was a forward waiting for a breakout pass, he wouldn't have the time or space to walk into the zone.

 

[Audio Outlaw]

Could He: Yes

Should He: No