Islanders should re-sign Brad Boyes

[OlTimeHockey]

Boyes is scoring at a .78 PPG clip thus far on line one his first season. Parenteau scored at a .65 PPG clip his first year and a .83 PPG clip his second. Given that we ALL thought PAP's defense was awful and he had to go the first few months, I will say Boyes' defense has been better than PAP's and his job on the line is to score and JT has been quite good on the defensive assignments.

Now can anyone play that role? PAP was a shooter but gained chemistry with MM and JT so they knew where each would be, and in time we saw some stunning playmaking.

Okposo has had plenty of time with JT. Awful. Some games decent but zero chemistry and fit wise, he just didn't belong there.

Nielson would look great there but he would have to shoot far, far more to fit. It would also greatly weaken a line, making us that much easier to beat.

Bailey....he's a great passer whose shot needs work. End of discussion.

So who? We pick up a Semin and he's a good fit, not great. We WANT a cherry picker, someone who hangs and can keep the puck in play. Someone who will fight off checks and keep possession but who can shoot quickly and with smarts.

The only other guy we have fitting that aside from Brad Boyes would be Colin McDonald. No thanks. I'd rather use Martin and just change the dynamics a bit, hoping Martin would shoot more {he has a very good shot/release}.

So....Boyes fits. Find a similar player you like out there whose game fits JT and MM with size and skating and defense and I'll bet he costs us about $6M/yr.

 

[steveat]

I think C.McDonald would surprise a lot of people if he were put on the first line. He's a hard worker and plays his game well for the limited role he is in. This is a guy that plays a lot more minutes in the A...he is making the most of his few minutes per game. Playing with more minutes on a line with JT....I think he could outscore Boyes AND also play a more complete 2 way game.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Boyes is scoring at a .78 PPG clip thus far on line one his first season. Parenteau scored at a .65 PPG clip his first year and a .83 PPG clip his second. Given that we ALL thought PAP's defense was awful and he had to go the first few months, I will say Boyes' defense has been better than PAP's and his job on the line is to score and JT has been quite good on the defensive assignments.

Now can anyone play that role? PAP was a shooter but gained chemistry with MM and JT so they knew where each would be, and in time we saw some stunning playmaking.

Okposo has had plenty of time with JT. Awful. Some games decent but zero chemistry and fit wise, he just didn't belong there.

Nielson would look great there but he would have to shoot far, far more to fit. It would also greatly weaken a line, making us that much easier to beat.

Bailey....he's a great passer whose shot needs work. End of discussion.

So who? We pick up a Semin and he's a good fit, not great. We WANT a cherry picker, someone who hangs and can keep the puck in play. Someone who will fight off checks and keep possession but who can shoot quickly and with smarts.

The only other guy we have fitting that aside from Brad Boyes would be Colin McDonald. No thanks. I'd rather use Martin and just change the dynamics a bit, hoping Martin would shoot more {he has a very good shot/release}.

So....Boyes fits. Find a similar player you like out there whose game fits JT and MM with size and skating and defense and I'll bet he costs us about $6M/yr.

Exactly this.

 

[blinkman360]

Boyes is scoring at a .78 PPG clip thus far on line one his first season. Parenteau scored at a .65 PPG clip his first year and a .83 PPG clip his second. Given that we ALL thought PAP's defense was awful and he had to go the first few months, I will say Boyes' defense has been better than PAP's and his job on the line is to score and JT has been quite good on the defensive assignments.

Now can anyone play that role? PAP was a shooter but gained chemistry with MM and JT so they knew where each would be, and in time we saw some stunning playmaking.

Okposo has had plenty of time with JT. Awful. Some games decent but zero chemistry and fit wise, he just didn't belong there.

Nielson would look great there but he would have to shoot far, far more to fit. It would also greatly weaken a line, making us that much easier to beat.

Bailey....he's a great passer whose shot needs work. End of discussion.

So who? We pick up a Semin and he's a good fit, not great. We WANT a cherry picker, someone who hangs and can keep the puck in play. Someone who will fight off checks and keep possession but who can shoot quickly and with smarts.

The only other guy we have fitting that aside from Brad Boyes would be Colin McDonald. No thanks. I'd rather use Martin and just change the dynamics a bit, hoping Martin would shoot more {he has a very good shot/release}.

So....Boyes fits. Find a similar player you like out there whose game fits JT and MM with size and skating and defense and I'll bet he costs us about $6M/yr.

Boyes fits, but IMO it would be hard to find someone who doesn't fit playing on that top line. The problem, though, is that when Tavares is off or getting shut down, that line is basically non-existent. IMO it's because no one else on that line can A) carry the puck into the zone, or B) win puck battles in deep during the dump and chase. The best option at RW would either be a high-end skating playmaker who is good at entering the zone, or a PF who can be a nightmare behind the net and bury the puck.

On paper, Strome seems like a perfect fit. Some people here don't think he has the size to excell as an NHL center in the present/near future, but as a winger he could end up working out nicely. He's a smooth, powerful skater. Has tremendous vision and high-end playmaking ability. Not to mention he can bury the puck when given the opportunity.

One possible option would be to give Nelson some NHL time to end the year, groom him to become the 2C, and move Strome to Johnny's RW in 2013-14. Keep Nielsen as the current 2C if you aren't too confident with Nelson getting top-six minutes right off the bat, and roll some kind of 2A and 2B situation.

I just don't see Boyes returning. Even if the Isles want to bring him back, he's going to want a decent raise(assuming he keeps this scoring pace) and he will absolutely want more than a one year deal. Something like 3/3M per. IMO, it's not gonna happen.

 

[doublechili]

The easy solution within the organization would be to put Strome on JT's RW next year. His skillset would be a nice fit, and it would be an easier transition for Strome to the NHL to be JT's RW than to be 2nd line C.

Assuming Strome eventually becomes the 2nd line C in another year or two, IMO the best fit from within the organization for JT's RW would be Kabanov. From what I've seen of him he's got good size (or will in a couple of years), good playmaking ability and can be good along the boards. And having him ride shotgun with Mr. Work Ethic couldn't hurt. Of course, the big IF is whether he'll be good enough to be a 1st liner....

 

[redbull]

While I can get what you're saying, I don't know what else he could have said. "Sure, I'd love to improve the team, but thanks to Chuckles, we have to use phantom cap space just to reach the floor!" More professional to give the non-answer than it it to stage a coup you can't win, I think.

can't disagree here. Especially with media. They are parasites at the best of times.

So....Boyes fits. Find a similar player you like out there whose game fits JT and MM with size and skating and defense and I'll bet he costs us about $6M/yr.

Good post OTH. And you're right about the $6MM. I'd love Joe Pavelski or Ryan Callahan or Rick Nash or even Phil Kessel as a winger on the top line. Boyes is probably the best $1MM you can spend for a pts/$ - if that's the goal.

I truly believe a line of Moulson-JT-Bailey or Moulson-JT-Martin or even Bailey-JT-Martin or Bailey-JT-Boyes would be better than what we have though. They get points, of course, but GOD are they awful defensively. Their +/- only tells part of the story. Look at how often they are pinned in their own zone, how Moulson/Boyes do the one-handed stick waive while defending - it's shameful. I'd keep them on the PP - no doubt. But Martin/Bailey on the top line is better. I'd love to see Cappy try it. Just for fun.

I think C.McDonald would surprise a lot of people if he were put on the first line. He's a hard worker and plays his game well for the limited role he is in. This is a guy that plays a lot more minutes in the A...he is making the most of his few minutes per game. Playing with more minutes on a line with JT....I think he could outscore Boyes AND also play a more complete 2 way game.

He's becoming a very likable player, but he's just not close to top six material. Admittedly, his energy and consistent effort is more than I expected but he just doesn't have the offense to play on the top line. I feel the same about Ullstrom for that matter.

The easy solution within the organization would be to put Strome on JT's RW next year. His skillset would be a nice fit, and it would be an easier transition for Strome to the NHL to be JT's RW than to be 2nd line C.

I think Strome plays a PURE centre role - that's his game. He's a middle-of-the-ice player with great vision, elusive puck carrying and smart, quick passes. In the NHL, especially on the wing, he'll probably struggle. He's more of a puck-carrier & distributor where I believe JT needs a big, north-south winger who can forecheck hard, cycle, play strong defense. If Moulson is Bossy, JT needs Gillies (or Tonelli, or D. Sutter or Nystrom)

Now, Strome's style would complement JT nicely, no doubt about it, however, the other winger cannot be Moulson. Similar to why Boyes-Moulson doesn't work. Could

Martin - JT - Strome work? (I think so)
Bailey - JT - Strome? (maybe too many passers and not enough size & toughness)

I'd like to get Clark Gillies and John Tonelli back. We need two players like this. (oh, and Potvin, Bossy, Smith wouldn't hurt.....oh and Trottier would make a great #2 C to JT )

 

[Richie Daggers Crime]

Wow. Fans do love their feckless poltroons. No wonder the Isles are full of them. The team continues to flounder in lottery-land year after year, but it's cool... Boyes can score 50 points a season while going -47 on the top line.

 

[LAPPY13]

The hole point of this thread is to point out that Boyes is a better offensive winger than any of the current young players on our roster. Okposo had his chance with JT this year and he could not handle it. Boyes is a better goal scorer than Bailey. El Nino is a huge question mark for me. Re-sign Boyes for a year or two until a kid can prove he can knock Boyes off the first or even the second line once that happens you can move Boyes.

 

[blinkman360]

The hole point of this thread is to point out that Boyes is a better offensive winger than any of the current young players on our roster. Okposo had his chance with JT this year and he could not handle it. Boyes is a better goal scorer than Bailey. El Nino is a huge question mark for me. Re-sign Boyes for a year or two until a kid can prove he can knock Boyes off the first or even the second line once that happens you can move Boyes.

This is really inaccurate. All Boyes has proven is that he can put up points playing next to Tavares. As has everyone before him. Okposo would have as well if he came into camp ready to play NHL hockey. Just look at his production last year with Tavares. Up until this point, those are the only two players to have gotten a chance on that line. Bailey hasn't. Grabner hasn't. Ullstrom. Nino. Martin. etc.

Boyes having 18 points(5 goals) in 23 games doesn't mean he is our best RW. I'd bet my life that if Boyes and Bailey were switched at this moment letting Bailey finish the year playing with Tavares, he would absolutely finish with more points than Boyes. Boyes' PPG will take a nose-dive while Bailey's will skyrocket.

The Tavares effect.

 

[LAPPY13]

This is really inaccurate. All Boyes has proven is that he can put up points playing next to Tavares. As has everyone before him. Okposo would have as well if he came into camp ready to play NHL hockey. Just look at his production last year with Tavares. Up until this point, those are the only two players to have gotten a chance on that line. Bailey hasn't. Grabner hasn't. Ullstrom. Nino. Martin. etc.

Boyes having 18 points(5 goals) in 23 games doesn't mean he is our best RW. I'd bet my life that if Boyes and Bailey were switched at this moment letting Bailey finish the year playing with Tavares, he would absolutely finish with more points than Boyes. Boyes' PPG will take a nose-dive while Bailey's will skyrocket.

The Tavares effect.

Islander fans really overrate there young kids! (I do it as well) Bailey has never even scored 15 goals in the NHL and Boyes has at least 3 plus 25 goals or more seasons. Okposo is a 3rd liner.

 

[LAPPY13]

My bad Bailey onced scored 16 goals in NHL. Still Bailey is not the goal scorer that Boyes is. Maybe in a year or two Bailey might prove to be a better player than Boyes but not yet.

 

[Islander Prophet]

no they should most definitely not

 

[blinkman360]

Islander fans really overrate there young kids! (I do it as well) Bailey has never even scored 15 goals in the NHL and Boyes has at least 3 plus 25 goals or more seasons. Okposo is a 3rd liner.

Bailey is 22 and out-produced Boyes offensively last season. He also has twice the defensive game.

Okposo could be considered a 3rd liner. I think he's more of a 2nd/3rd tweener. Either way, I don't know how that's really a knock on him in this conversation, considering Boyes is probably a 3rd liner as well on most teams.... or a member of their AHL affiliate.

 

[doublechili]

I think Strome plays a PURE centre role - that's his game. He's a middle-of-the-ice player with great vision, elusive puck carrying and smart, quick passes. In the NHL, especially on the wing, he'll probably struggle. He's more of a puck-carrier & distributor where I believe JT needs a big, north-south winger who can forecheck hard, cycle, play strong defense. If Moulson is Bossy, JT needs Gillies (or Tonelli, or D. Sutter or Nystrom)

Now, Strome's style would complement JT nicely, no doubt about it, however, the other winger cannot be Moulson. Similar to why Boyes-Moulson doesn't work. Could

Martin - JT - Strome work? (I think so)
Bailey - JT - Strome? (maybe too many passers and not enough size & toughness)

I'd like to get Clark Gillies and John Tonelli back. We need two players like this. (oh, and Potvin, Bossy, Smith wouldn't hurt.....oh and Trottier would make a great #2 C to JT )

I don't disagree with any of that. I know they're friends and all, but I think Moulson and JT on a line together is redundant in that they're the team's 2 best garbagemen, and Moulson's physical and defensive weaknesses are a hinderance to JT. They should split them up. I'd do this for the rest of this year and then see how the chips fall next year (sans Boyes):

Martin - Tavares - Boyes
Moulson - Bailey - Okposo
Cizikas - Neilsen - Grabs

 

[blitzkriegs]

Wow. Fans do love their feckless poltroons. No wonder the Isles are full of them. The team continues to flounder in lottery-land year after year, but it's cool... Boyes can score 50 points a season while going -47 on the top line.

+/- is a subjective stat...

 

[Disgraced Cosmonaut]

i don't think the brad boyes of the world are justification for Garth to rest on his laurels. i don't think he's a bad value, fwiw but i still think Garth doesn't have this team to a place where he should shirk questions about what's missing (hint: top six player with top quality size). seriously? brad boyes is your answer to a question about size??? on what planet?

but i've digressed. anyway, as long as we're on the shoestring budget, fine. great value. (i'm still not impressed.)

 

[Jester9881]

This team doesn't need wingers for JT nearly as much as it needs a second line.

Moulson - Tavares - Boyes
???????????????????????????
Grabner - Neilsen - ??????
Martin - Cizikas - Ullstrom

Bailey and Okposo should be let go, trade bait to bring in whatever.... then parlay the rest of the assets into a second line, through either call ups or trade. This team isn't going to attract UFA's as is, but there's still options out there via trade, and we have plenty of chips to offer. A viable second line would open up a lot of options, and give JT all the space he needs to flourish.

 

[OlTimeHockey]

This team doesn't need wingers for JT nearly as much as it needs a second line.

Moulson - Tavares - Boyes
???????????????????????????
Grabner - Neilsen - ??????
Martin - Cizikas - Ullstrom

Bailey and Okposo should be let go, trade bait to bring in whatever.... then parlay the rest of the assets into a second line, through either call ups or trade. This team isn't going to attract UFA's as is, but there's still options out there via trade, and we have plenty of chips to offer. A viable second line would open up a lot of options, and give JT all the space he needs to flourish.

I'll entertain the deviant rookiephiles on this one, lone idea. Strome with Bailey and Boyes looks just fine if we get a sniper with size in UFA. But that means we spent money to get him, so I expect to see a midget Elvis singing in a smoky haze coaching the team with sorcery with that kinda acid trip.

Since we're not spending, I have Martin on line 2 with Strome and XXXWAIVERWIREXXX next year. Bailey and Okposo will likly stay put as we don't care about anything but cap evasion.

I would, again, keep Bailey for line 3 defensive work.

 

[blitzkriegs]

Bailey is 22 and out-produced Boyes offensively last season. He also has twice the defensive game.

Okposo could be considered a 3rd liner. I think he's more of a 2nd/3rd tweener. Either way, I don't know how that's really a knock on him in this conversation, considering Boyes is probably a 3rd liner as well on most teams.... or a member of their AHL affiliate.

Okposo is pretty useless this season. IMO, he's regressed bc he's scared on getting hurt and Wanger paid him so he decided to float. The consequence? Nothing.

Okposo would benefit from a true NHL coach/leader, but Wanger don't want that. So, Okposo and Bailey will be the "core" first rounders turned 3rd/4th liners due to Wang's desire to focus on cap hits, not production.

 

[LAPPY13]

I was 100 percent incorrect when I started this thread a while back wanting the Isles to resign Brad Boyes. Since than I now see our young kids such as Bailey, Okposo, Grabner, Martin, Cizikas etc all playing much better than Boyes. Signing Boyes for this season was fine for 1 year at 1 million but Snow needs to let Boyes walk this summer.

 

[PK Cronin]

I was 100 percent incorrect when I started this thread a while back wanting the Isles to resign Brad Boyes. Since than I now see our young kids such as Bailey, Okposo, Grabner, Martin, Cizikas etc all playing much better than Boyes. Signing Boyes for this season was fine for 1 year at 1 million but Snow needs to let Boyes walk this summer.

He really has no choice, there's the potential for a log jam this next training camp. I expect Boyes, Aucoin, Boulton, and Reasoner to all be gone. And even that would only make 2 team spots available. The team will have to battle for roster spots, which is nice for a change.

 

[Macch]

I was 100 percent incorrect when I started this thread a while back wanting the Isles to resign Brad Boyes. Since than I now see our young kids such as Bailey, Okposo, Grabner, Martin, Cizikas etc all playing much better than Boyes. Signing Boyes for this season was fine for 1 year at 1 million but Snow needs to let Boyes walk this summer.

Aren't you glad Garth waited

He really has no choice, there's the potential for a log jam this next training camp. I expect Boyes, Aucoin, Boulton, and Reasoner to all be gone. And even that would only make 2 team spots available. The team will have to battle for roster spots, which is nice for a change.

The only one i can see them bringing back is Aucoin. He's done well in his role. That said I hope guys like Ullstrom, Lee, Nino, Strome, and Nelson have great camps and make him expendable.

 

[LAPPY13]

Aren't you glad Garth waited





The only one i can see them bringing back is Aucoin. He's done well in his role. That said I hope guys like Ullstrom, Lee, Nino, Strome, and Nelson have great camps and make him expendable.

Keith Aucoin is a intersting resigning option for Isles this summer as a cheap one year stop gap until Brock Nelson or Ryan Strome prove they can play center at the NHL level. Aucoin knows his role with team and does whatever is asked of him. As Islanders are making there playoff push I see Aucoin working his ass off and Boyes just looking to score goals and pad his stats for a better contract.

 

[Fantom]

I would not have a Issue with Boyes on the same contract personally.

 

[bigtim1988]

Boyes is a talented player, but I'm not crazy about him on the first line . I'd bring him back for a year, but that's about it