 Some Thoughts on Boyle | |
Since Boyles move back to center hes avg about a point a game in the AHL and to date has 20 goals and 21 assist in 45 Games. The rule of thumb is going from the AHL to the NHL generally results in about a 50% drop in point production. With that old rule of thumb would we be happy with a 3rd or 4th line center who can pot 15 goals a year and provide some toughness?
Brings me to the next point-Boyle was involved in a couple of scraps early in the season and by all accounts looks to be more Steve McKenna then Zdeno Chara in the fight dept but-since those early scraps has very few fighting majors at all. Maybe Dano can provide some insight if players are avoiding him or hes choosing to not fight. Either way Im interested.
So while it looks like Boyle may not be the next Todd Bertuzzi or Cam Neely hes certainly no worse then a Brad Ibister/Rob Neidermayer type. Funny how we mentioned the Joel Otto comparison and it really looks likes it really on the mark and quite frankly Im fine with that. Big strong 3rd line centers win hockey games too, if Boyle is a young Rob Niedermayer type player is that the worse thing in the world? Considering the depth we have w/scoring forwards a big tough checking center fits into the plans nicely not to mention Boyles MO of standing in front of the net on the PP.
Thoughts? |