I commented on this in CBGB's Breakfast with the GM thread, but it got buried there, and the fanboi in me just can't let it go. The photo below (credit:
savemefromtears) seems to show that Lombardi has Boyle penciled in as the 4th line center, skating with Zeiler and (presumably) Ivanans, who isn't shown because the chart only tracks players 25 & under.
Based on Dean's comment the other morning about Boyle being ready to play head-to-head with Getzlaf, I'm inferring that he means that literally, matching up Boyle's 4th line as a shut-down line against Getzlaf's line. I can see the logic on Lombardi's part: who wouldn't want a huge 4th-line center who won't be physically dominated by any center in the league? Based on the little bit I've seen of him, though, that seems to be waste of Boyle's offensive potential. He's got a great shot, but it's unlikely he'd have a chance to utilize it skating a regular shift with Zeiler and Ivanans.
I was really hoping they'd audition Boyle to fill the 2nd line center role, as he seemed to have some chemistry when paired with Frolov. With Army and possibly Ellis in the fold next year, we certainly have no shortage of guys who can fill that 4th line center role.
He's been an offensive player his whole career. C'mon, Dean, give the kid a chance!
