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About This Page: This is a discussion on LA Kings Talk within the LetsGoKings.com forums, at Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum. 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
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?
__________________ I'm the All American Bullet Headed Saxon Mothers Son.
I thought our 3rd line center was Michael Handzus or Trevor Lewis?
Boyle as a 4th line center is pretty good. Yea, its not what you want with a first round pick, but if he isn't as good as Kopitar, Stamkos, and Lewis/Handzus, then thats where he belongs.
He still has time to improve, of course. We have to remember he played all four years of college. This is only his first pro season.
His size would make him a perfect fit as a 4th line center. If he can transition his AHL level of play to the NHL, then he would definately be considered one of the better 4th line centers in the league because of his rare scoring touch for such a big man. He isn't one of the most aggressive players for his size, but he isn't shy either. Overall it would be a good fit, if his game is NHL ready.
I think Boyle's future with the Kings depends almost entirely on the performance of Handzus. If Handzus can play like the 2nd line center that everyone expected, then Boyle can potentially center the 3rd line. If not, Boyle's stuck on the 4th line which doesn't really seem like a good fit for him. I don't really see Boyle centering the 2nd line, but anythings possible, especially now that he can just focus on one position.
Boyle is developing with each game, we might even seen some of him down the stretch in a Kings sweater. The more NHL games he can be exposed to the easier the transition will be.
I think Boyle's future with the Kings depends almost entirely on the performance of Handzus. If Handzus can play like the 2nd line center that everyone expected, then Boyle can potentially center the 3rd line. If not, Boyle's stuck on the 4th line which doesn't really seem like a good fit for him. I don't really see Boyle centering the 2nd line, but anythings possible, especially now that he can just focus on one position.
i actually think the 4th line would be perfect for him... if you're looking to give him some more offense-forward ice time, fine, stick him on the second power play unit.
no matter what happens, as long as Marc Crawford is coach, Brian is also going to have to learn to kill penalties at the NHL level.
For as much time and effort that has been put into BB I say go for the moon. When he looks ready for NHL ice time play him with the Top Six guys as well as 3rd/4th lines guys.
I mean, who knows? What if the guy just has great NHL hockey sense and mad skills when given the opportunity to play with talented linemates.
I just want to remind you that power forwards develop a bit later than the normal skill forwards. Just like Bertuzzi and Brown, If Boyle becomes a power forward in the NHL, dont expect him to be at his prime until he is around 27...
aWith the numbers that BBoyle is putting up in Manchester the Kings have to be happy. He's a third line Centre at worst I think and second liner at best. He's LA's heir apparent for MHandzus. And if the Kings bring up Boyle(he's earned the right) look for the Kings to put him on LW next to Handzus so that he can learn the finer aspects without too much responsibility. When he's ready the Kings will jettison Zus to another place. To really make the line work though LA must find someone with grit,toughness and determination...and a finisher too.At any rate look for the Kings to have a fire sale come Feb 26. I see as many as 8-10 leaving our fair club in seasrch of the holy grail...Stanley...
Some Thoughts on Boyle 
Bandit
Boyle,top 9 At Worst 