Prospect Info: Tyler Boucher (RW/LW) - Don`t sleep on Tyler Boucher

[Cosmix]

We really, really need a player like him.

Hopefully he eventually makes the NHL one day.

We really need a player like Chara in his prime.

 

[otown]

This isn't going to end well if Boucher has to change his role to a pseudo-enforcer, in an attempt to add another dimension to his game.

 

[PlayersLtd]

The Tyler Boucher metre appears to slowly be trending in the right direction. That's all we can ask for right? Healthy, playing physical, passable point production and successfully showing his strengths at the next level in competition. He seems to be putting up a decent number of SOG's in every game and he is getting pp time.

What we need to remember is that he was always a project. If he's showing signs of improvement right off the bat in the AHL after everything he has been through that is something to be optimistic about.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

This isn't going to end well if Boucher has to change his role to a pseudo-enforcer, in an attempt to add another dimension to his game.

Wait...I thought he was the next Tom Wilson! I was duped!

 

[BondraTime]

The Tyler Boucher metre appears to slowly be trending in the right direction. That's all we can ask for right? Healthy, playing physical, passable point production and successfully showing his strengths at the next level in competition. He seems to be putting up a decent number of SOG's in every game and he is getting pp time.

What we need to remember is that he was always a project. If he's showing signs of improvement right off the bat in the AHL after everything he has been through that is something to be optimistic about.

Pretty spot on.

 

[umma gumma]

The Tyler Boucher metre appears to slowly be trending in the right direction. That's all we can ask for right? Healthy, playing physical, passable point production and successfully showing his strengths at the next level in competition. He seems to be putting up a decent number of SOG's in every game and he is getting pp time.

What we need to remember is that he was always a project. If he's showing signs of improvement right off the bat in the AHL after everything he has been through that is something to be optimistic about.

BTW, dig the Greg Moore avatar.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

The Tyler Boucher metre appears to slowly be trending in the right direction. That's all we can ask for right? Healthy, playing physical, passable point production and successfully showing his strengths at the next level in competition. He seems to be putting up a decent number of SOG's in every game and he is getting pp time.

What we need to remember is that he was always a project. If he's showing signs of improvement right off the bat in the AHL after everything he has been through that is something to be optimistic about.

Still small sample size but can someone give a comprehensive report on Boucher's play since joining Belleville?

He is pacing ok and looks to be imposing himself physically, both noteworthy considering the adjustment period that we all expected. On top of that the team has been playing their best hockey since he joined. Not correlating but it counts for something.

I watched one game and he was largely invisible.

Anyone?

Did you watch a couple more games?

 

[Do Make Say Think]

This isn't going to end well if Boucher has to change his role to a pseudo-enforcer, in an attempt to add another dimension to his game.

He doesn't need to be an enforcer.

Just need a big strong winger to make things a bit harder for the other team. We are so, so soft as a team, he could add something we are missing without being considered an enforcer.

Fighting mostly is for dinosaurs and the best revenge is scoring goals, not throwing punches.

 

[Ouroboros]

This isn't going to end well if Boucher has to change his role to a pseudo-enforcer, in an attempt to add another dimension to his game.

Plenty of players have done it.

Boucher is not going to make it on his playing skills alone.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Plenty of players have done it.

Boucher is not going to make it on his playing skills alone.

He's not going to learn how to fight watching Chris Neal videos . If he want to learn how to fight he has to fight and get a fighting coach. As he gets in his groove in the AHL he will get in more fights because he'll get challenged after throwing big hits. A lot of these x-players that were fighters grew up with it a lot more than what is in the game today.

 

[OD99]

Most of the agitators aren't big fighters, anyway. They have to stand up for themselves a few times a year but don't go looking for fights.

He won' be an enforcer in any sense of the word, but if he can find his way to decent production and a larger role in the A then he could be a bottom 6 player for us.

 

[Larionov]

I have been critical of Boucher and his potential, or lack thereof, so I should be fair and acknowledge that he is making some contributions in Belleville. I am still skeptical that he will ever be a NHL regular, but there is some time - this is his first year of a three year entry level contract. Let's see where we are at with him a year from now and we should be able to say with more certainly where is is headed.

 

[PlayersLtd]

Did you watch a couple more games?

2 periods against the Marlies in the background of chaotic family life, so no not really. Just taking snippets from his game like his skating, positioning and ability to keep up.

Other than his shot and the odd physical play there isn a lot standing out but I put stock into basic fundamentals and one thing I've always liked about Boucher is that he is almost always on the right side of the puck, more specifically moving his feet in the right direction and thus keeping himself in the play. From the limited viewings I'm still noticing that at the AHL level and it gives me hope that he can at least play an effective checking role.

If it helps put this fundamental in context, it is what Sokolov lacks and why I've never been big on him. Frequently a step behind or turned around the wrong way in board battles etc... and not just because of skating but because of limitations to his hockey sense. On the flip side Smehkal was decent that way in his time with the big club.

 

[Cosmix]

He doesn't need to be an enforcer.

Just need a big strong winger to make things a bit harder for the other team. We are so, so soft as a team, he could add something we are missing without being considered an enforcer.

Fighting mostly is for dinosaurs and the best revenge is scoring goals, not throwing punches.

Generally I agree if you have a skilled team that can make the opponent pay for their buffoonery (Edmonton Oilers with Gretzky et al); however, having players on the team who can take care of business when a player on the other team targets one of our skill players is very useful. I remember players targeting Karlsson and the responses from Neil, Carkner, etc. This has been true for decades ever since I started watching hockey in the 50s. Personally I like having one 4th line forward being a giant physical threat.

 

[Icelevel]

He doesn't need to be an enforcer.

Just need a big strong winger to make things a bit harder for the other team. We are so, so soft as a team, he could add something we are missing without being considered an enforcer.

Fighting mostly is for dinosaurs and the best revenge is scoring goals, not throwing punches.

Just to add one thing. We currently have Macewen as our “fighter” in ottawa. I’ll tell you what…Boucher is already a better fighter than Macewen.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Just to add one thing. We currently have Macewen as our “fighter” in ottawa. I’ll tell you what…Boucher is already a better fighter than Macewen.

Mac had a great game last night. He’s trending well as a solid energy forth liner, which is what I was hoping for initially.

His balance isn’t great for fights, but he’s fearless and is starting to show that he can play an important role on the team.

For that I’m willing to cut him some slack on the fighting front. It’s funny, from the looks of things the guys fighting are just dudes now, not many fighters with lots of experience, and very few who can fight like Brady, let alone a guy like Neiler, or a true heavy from the past.

I have to admit I have always preferred the reactionary fights when tempers boil over, over the set ups, so this kinda works. Plus more falling over often means fewer punches to the face so win win! Lol

 

[PlayersLtd]

BTW, dig the Greg Moore avatar.

Thanks. My childhood hero of sorts , I'm currently building a tribute car to him.

 

[BondraTime]

Just to add one thing. We currently have Macewen as our “fighter” in ottawa. I’ll tell you what…Boucher is already a better fighter than Macewen.

Boucher has 5 fights in his career, 4 in junior, 1 in pro, and he has never fought a guy over 195 pounds, and he has never looked extremely adept at fighting, he just got wiped in his first pro fight against Cameron Gaunce, whom MacEwan wiped up when they were both in the AHL

MacEwan has 55 fights in his career, and regularly drops with guys who are 225+

MacEwan is definitely not a great fighter, but there is no way Boucher is a better fighter, and there is absolutely nothing to back that up

 

[Alf Silfversson]

Boucher has 5 fights in his career, 4 in junior, 1 in pro, and he has never fought a guy over 195 pounds, and he has never looked extremely adept at fighting, he just got wiped in his first pro fight against Cameron Gaunce

MacEwan has 55 fights in his career, and regularly drops with guys who are 225+

MacEwan is definitely not a great fighter, but there is no way Boucher is a better fighter, and there is absolutely nothing to back that up

If Tyler Boucher fought Zack MacEwen he'd likely missed significant time with injury. If he went with a guy like Reaves (who MacEwen can at least defend himself against) Boucher could very easily get Dziurzynski'd.

 

[Larionov]

Dziurzynski

oof - I remember that fight, if you want to call it that. Talk about getting knocked the @#$# out....

 

[Alf Silfversson]

oof - I remember that fight, if you want to call it that. Talk about getting knocked the @#$# out....

It's what can happen when a non-fighter tries to take on a true heavyweight. The NHL has very few true heavyweights anymore and Tyler Boucher certainly won't want to try it on with any of them.

Poor DD though. He had guts but that fight was brutal.

 

[Bileur]

He just needs Chris Neil to help coach him a bit. The big thing with fighting is maintaining balance. It is part of the fundamentals of boxing.

Look at Neil's old fights. He has tremendous balance. He can take some punches and roll with them, deflecting them off his shoulders, and get himself set up to to land some powerful punches back. Boucher has tried to land a hard right cross in both fights and nearly did. He just losses his balance before he can get himself set up to really start throwing back in return. If he can maintain his balance and set up his punches like Neil, he will give himself a good chance to win many fights.

This isn't going to end well if Boucher has to change his role to a pseudo-enforcer, in an attempt to add another dimension to his game.

It’s not about turning him into an full on enforcer but rather teaching him to defend himself. Neil and McGrattan apparently benefited from the mentorship and tips of Dennis Bonvie, only makes sense for them to pass on the information to Boucher. Pezzetta also apparently trained a lot with Laraque in the summer and he looks better fighting this season.

The way Boucher hits, fights will be inevitable he should be prepared. Adding a bit of fighting acumen also inevitably makes him more intimidating if ever he does have to answer the bell or defend a teammate.

It would also be nice for him to have the confidence he can easily take out trash like Gallagher when they try to bully Timmy instead of having out 8 million dollar captain have to address it.

 

[Icelevel]

Boucher has 5 fights in his career, 4 in junior, 1 in pro, and he has never fought a guy over 195 pounds, and he has never looked extremely adept at fighting, he just got wiped in his first pro fight against Cameron Gaunce, whom MacEwan wiped up when they were both in the AHL

MacEwan has 55 fights in his career, and regularly drops with guys who are 225+

MacEwan is definitely not a great fighter, but there is no way Boucher is a better fighter, and there is absolutely nothing to back that up

Boucher didn’t get “wiped” by gaunce. That’s a lie by you. He got hit in the helmet a bunch got a couple good shots in himself dropped to his knees and skated away. Thats as good as I’ve ever seen Macewen fight and I’m expecting Boucher to improve.

 

[BondraTime]

Boucher didn’t get “wiped” by gaunce. That’s a lie by you. He got hit in the helmet a bunch got a couple good shots in himself dropped to his knees and skated away. Thats as good as I’ve ever seen Macewen fight and I’m expecting Boucher to improve.

You said he was already a better fighter, he’s had 1 pro fight and lost. Mac has 40. That’s a completely, and utterly, ridiculous statement.

Announcers themselves said Boucher was getting unloaded on and it was a mismatch.



He’s never going to turn down a fight, he’s a tough SOB, but he’s not a fighter.

 

[dumbdick]

If this kid makes it, crows are going to go extinct from the amount y'all gonna be eating.