Brian Boyle, now with the New York Rangers after the summer trade, had some thinly veiled tough words for Kings coaches/management in the New York papers today. “It hamstrung me last year,” Boyle said in one story. “It paralyzed me, looking over my shoulder wondering if I could stick in Los Angeles. It’s a fresh start here.”
I think I’ve made my opinion about Boyle fairly clear over time. I thought the way the Kings treated him, moving him to defense and then back to forward in a short period of time, only hurt his development, but also that Boyle simply didn’t do what he needed to do in order to stay in the NHL. If you read the quotes from John Tortorella in these stories, Boyle is still going to have to play that tough, gritty game in order to stick with the Rangers.
I’m curious to see how long he lasts in NY.
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He’s on the 4th line there too so it’s not like he’s planned on to be a scoring guy. He’ll get 6 minutes a game and is expected to be high energy and hit people.
That’s not his game so his hamstrung comment can be applied to the Rangers as well. At least they haven’t put him on Defense yet.
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Always liked Boyle. I wish him the best of luck in the NHL
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waaaah! sour grapes for the guy, if he had what it took he would still be in L.A
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I too liked Boyle. However, it doesn’t appear as if he is getting the “fair shot” in NY. He is still merely a 4th liner. If he gets his head on straight and does what is asked, he should stick.
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he’s going to get a bit more playing time on the fourth and maybe the occasional special teams shift…but he STILL is a project and hasn’t even come close to what many have thought he would turn out to be…
i wish bebe (i don’t think he could shop there – no plus sizes) all the best…seriously, i do…
and although i agree with yr commentary, rich, on how the kings didn’t necessarily make it any easier on bebe, he still has much of the burden to carry on his awfully big shoulders for not making management’s decision for them by playing up to his so-called potential and forcing d.l./t.m. to implement him in their plans…
maybe a guy like torts can get through to him…bebe still has an o’fer on the season, so he’s not stealing any shifts from gabby///but it’s somewhat nice to see him get some dap in new york…
bebe should be quickly reminded, though, things could change for him in a new york-minute…and again, he has an opportunity to step up…let’s see what he does with it this time…
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Harrrold has more fight in him that Brian Boyle. It’s a shame though as I liked the big guy too and I wanted to see him make it. Imagine if he could have developed into the 2nd line center we all hoped for, Stoll would not be here. His size alone could do wonders, but he doesn’t have the drive unfortunately to make things happen.
I wish him all the best. I hope he plays mediocre tonight, but if he could just learn to get pissed off once in a while, he’d become that commodity we all thought he would.
Maybe hanging out with Sean Avery will fix that.
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Seriously Boyle? If you were looking over your shoulder in one of the most laid back hockey markets in the world, then you are in for rude awakening in NY.
I don’t think he has any idea what he’s gotten himself into. Tortorella said it best. He’s a man-child.
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Before this year, everybody would say “if you couldn’t make it in LA, you can’t make it anywhere”. It’s kinda like a reverse-Frank Sinatra (“If I could make it there, I’ll make it anywhere” –”Theme from ‘New York, New York’”).
I wish Boyle the best of luck in the future, but looking at the past, he simply didn’t do what he needed to do to stay with the Kings. What does that say about his skill? It’s nowhere near where it needs to be to be an impact player. He needs years of development still.
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Good guy but he definitely didn’t play up to the potential that he showed in his college days. He has nothing to complain about either; borderline guys never get a blank ticket to play a half season and show what they can do… that’s the nature of pro sports. Make the most of the tiniest opportunities, like Quick did in nets last year.
His size is obviously appealing to any team but quite frankly, Schenn can skate circles around him and Loki has much better puck control, so I think our future looks pretty good in the middle…
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For a first round draft pick he really didn’t live up to his potential, especially when another guy we drafted that same year is now our team captain. I’m more than happy that Dean was able to get a 3rd rounder for him.
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Can’t think of anyone bigger that played smaller. Good luck in NY, you aren’t missed.
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Yes, right, sure, he was “hamstrung” by having to “look over his shoulder.” What a bunch of nonsense. Everyone has to look over his shoulder, rookies, veterans, everyone. The guy has played 42 NHL games and has ten points. He sucks defensively and — despite being one of the biggest players in the league — doesn’t play a physical game. His QUALCOMP numbers are just about the worst on the team, which means he’s getting the easiest assignments possible. His quote suggests that everyone should just have faith in him, but there’s absolutely no reason for anyone to do this. He’s never shown anything at the NHL level, but for a couple of games two years ago when he got a couple of nice goals on a team that sucked.
So far this season, he’s got exactly zero goals, zero assists, zero points, and (wow) three shots. You know who has fewer shots than that on the Rangers? Rozsival (he has two). That’s it. Yeah, a fresh start. So far he’s even worse for the Rangers than he was for the Kings.
I liked Boyle previously, on the condition that he didn’t act like anyone owed him anything.
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I like Boyle as well but the facts are he had his name penciled in last season and got beat out by 2 kids in Moller and Simmonds who showed more game. Not rocket science.
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Boyle…kiss our collective Kings arce you wuss!
I hope someone puts his pacifier (or punch) directly in his mouth tonight. I can’t stand people who whine because they think they got shafted.
He was looking over his shoulder…tell them why Baby Boyle? Because you refused to go into the dirty areas and fight for loose pucks. You felt more comfortable sticking your 6’7″ waste of a body on the outside just like Sully.
Now you’re being asked the same thing by the Rangers. I guess the Kings did know best.
Wait until they start losing (tonight) and the media starts looking at players stats…I’m sure Boyle will be doing his best Linda Blair impression with his head then.
Ahhhh love Hockey!
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Grow up BB…if you can’t prove you are nhl player, why would a team just give you a spot in the line-up. wrong attitude to have if your trying to crack the LA line-up TM and DL want passion from their players. geezz
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We picked this guy AND Tambellini ahead of Corey Perry! That’s why drafting is sometimes like throwing dice. A prospect is just a hope and a prayer until he proves himself. What a letdown. Was “hoping” to see Boyle freight train his way down the middle knocking down d-men like bowling pins. oh well.
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Contrast Boyle’s comments against those of Ryan Smyth, who said recently in an interview (I forget with whom — was it Rich?) that you *always* have to remember that in the NHL, there’s *always* a younger guy who wants your job. And play accordingly.
Obviously.
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Why is it that the Kings draft a guy based on the talent he has and then try to make him into something else? They’re doing the same thing with Frolov. I bet once they trade Frolov he going to score 50 goals for his new team.
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Two Words sum him up……..Big Pussy
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Boyle just needs a fair shot at making the top 2 lines. The guy’s got the skills and now, the desire (although, many may still disagree) to be a legitimate force in the league if someone can overlook his 6’7 frame.
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I liked this guy when I saw some interviews after we drafted him, but my opinion of him is entirely different after this interview. They guy obviously is a little slow and I am not talking about his skating. If the Rangers have any Center prospects that are on par with Lewis, then Boyle should make sure his suits are pressed.
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I always liked Boyle, and am a big fan of his, and I do agree with him. The move from offense, to defense, back to offense, really stunted his growth.
The biggest problem I have with how he was handled was that you can’t make someone into something they simply are not.
Boyle is a scorer, and trying to make him into a grinder, a fighter, just wasn’t going to happen. It’s not going to happen in NY, and it didn’t happen here in LA.
It’s not a knock on Boyle…it’s jut not him, and who he is as a person. Some people just aren’t born with the dickhead gene.
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Lombardi jerked this kid around and has shown a propesity for bailing on just about everyone that wasn’t “his”.
Boyle is still a good prospect and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him figure it out for someone else.
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Hipcheck – You’re still around?
Maybe I should make a triumphant return to LGK.
Nah.
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if scoring in the AHL or Juniors was correlated with NHL success, then Gary Shuchuk or Lonnie Loach would be Hall of Famers. My advice to Boyle: skate hard, use your size to your advantage, shoot the puck, and most of all, shut up and play the game.
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Boyle on playing the Kings tonight:
http://rangers.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=765&id=48678
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I think it’s clear to most that Boyle’s role and responsibilities as well as expectations were clearly defined to him by Kings (and affiliates) management over the course of several years. He failed to deliver any noticeable progress over that span. The Kings decided to cut their losses and instead concentrate on others who did show progress.
When he says he’s scored at every level and he expects to score in the NHL, it’s also clear that Boyle still doesn’t understand what he is being asked to do.
It’s unfortunate but this is Boyle’s personal limitation. Once he matures and eventually gets it, it will probably be too late.
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Spin it however you wish, Boyle rarely used his size and lacked the hustle the play a two-way game.
Dude is a naturally gifted lazy bastard. I really wished he would have worked for us, but now that he is a blue-shirt I hope someone smaller and more motivated runs him through the boards.
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In regards to Boyle being ‘jerked’ around from forward to defense, I believe Kings staff were just trying to round out his game; an attempt to get him to understand the defensive side or responsibilities after trying to teach him the defensive side from a forward’s perspective failed.
It appears to me that any attempts to teach him any other aspect of the game to round out his personal game failed.
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Brian Boyle needs to look up Gary Roberts career and then copy….he showed scoring ability on his way to the NHL but broke into the league with his grit and fists, before earning his trade as a scoring power forward…as for LA and Boyle, there just wasn’t a spot for him after awhile…looks like he has a real shot in NY….don’t blow it kid.
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The ironic thing is that tonight will probably be Boyle’s best NHL performance. It sounds like he has a fire in his belly and something to prove to the Kings. It will probably translate into a bit of grit and a higher compete level, which is exactly what the Kings wanted from him.
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basically, the way I see it is that Boyle was not the player that the Kings hoped that he would be … however, his size and success in college and the minors suggested that they (the Kings) might be able to mold him into a consistent, dependable player. since he (Boyle) was not going to be the type of center that they wanted or hoped for, who would not love to have a BIG, brusing defencemen or at least one that could manage the defensive zone? the center position is more aligned with defencive play than the other forwards so this was not a leap .. or at least should not have been. Lets face it: Boyle did not perform the way a player of his success or size should have – whether it was a center or defence. If a trade to the Rangers wakes his butt up and he reaches his potential, great! But “he” did not reach it here and that should not all be put on the Kings.
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there are many players in juniors, college, and minors who have a nice touch and scoring ability but realize that to make it and stay in the NHL their style of game has to change. you have to give the GM and coaches what they want because there is always someone else who is willing to run through that brick wall for them.
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Boyle need not look very far for the reason things didn’t work out with him and the Kings. Not many get a chance to be called up to prove themselves in the NHL level. Guys like Simmonds and Purcell did it and got over. I think he is fooling himself if he believes he was “hamstrung” by the Kings or anybody. So if it doesn’t work out with Tortorella, what’s Brian’s excuse going to be next?
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mrbrett
Boyle wasn’t talking about the center-to-d-back-to-center thing. That was the year before last. What he was talking about, re last year, was having to play on the 4th line. Which is where he’s playing now.
As far as Boyle being a scorer: not in the NHL he’s not. That’s the whole point.
Nobody, not the Kings and not the Rangers, are saying “hey this guy is an ideal fourth liner.” What they’re saying is, to be successful in the NHL, you have to be able to play a two-way game, play defense, play physical, play in the corners. You don’t learn that by being thrown onto the first two lines and playing against the best the other team has to offer, where you get your ass handed to you. Boyle got the easier assignment of learning to do those things against weaker opponents, on the 4th line, and he still couldn’t do it. Underline: he didn’t fail because he didn’t put up points on the fourth line. He failed because he didn’t play defense on the fourth line, didn’t go to the blue paint on the fourth line, didn’t play a physical game on the fourth line.
And those are the things you need to do if you have the skill set Boyle has and you’re going to turn into a top-six scorer in the NHL. This is not a guy with amazing speed or amazing moves or or an amazing shot or amazing finish. He’s got amazing size. Which meant he was hard to stop in college, when he was playing against children.
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I want to back off my hostility re Boyle a bit. Just watched the clip linked above. The quote from Boyle re the Kings isn’t that bad when you watch it. He’s just responding to the question and giving a more or less stock answer. I think he also says “a little bit” hamstrung, which is a little less pointed. He seems much more balanced and reasonable (and not angry) in the whole interview than the quotes make it seem. (not that Rich was cherry picking quotes, just that that’s the nature of reading somethiing instead of seeing it.) Also, if you watch what Tortella says after (as Rich mentioned), it’s clear that the Rangers are on EXACTLY the same page as the Kings were re Boyle.
Basically all Boyle was saying was, “hey I just want to show my old team that they made a mistake.” I believe he says something about it “being about pride.” I think that’s totally fair and not really snarky at all.
not that this really changes anything I said about what Boyle has to do; but I don’t think he’s having an attitude about it, or thinking things should have been handed him.
I kind of overreacted to reading the quote. I still wish him well. Just not tonight.
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I still hope we kick his ass!
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“That’s the nature of reading something instead of seeing it.”
To a certain extent, this is very often true. However, the title of this post is very clear:
“TOUGH” words from Boyle
After watching the video, they weren’t “tough” words at all. The whole interview was actually kind of wimpy. I feel like the guy’s confidence is ready to shatter at any moment.
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he never got a fair look… i bet if he was put in Calders slot for every game calder played on the top two lines last season he wouldve scored and ‘broken’ into the nhl… you cant break into the nhl playing 5 minutes a night…
i bet he’ll go to a place like phoenix or atlanta or florida and get 20 minutes a game on a 2nd line and end up scoring 60 70 pts a season
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guys, you must check out how his ass got plastered along the boards…its on nhl hits of the week.
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When Brian Boyle was with the Kings I didn’t mind him. I was pretty upbeat about how Brian Boyle will turnout to be for the Kings down the line. He would still be with the Kings indeed if not only he play solid two-way hockey, but use his 6’7″ 252lbs size to his advantage damn it. If I recall correctly while back at one point I remember him mentioning that he is not the type of player to play physical an all.
If I was him at 6’7″ 252lbs playing in the NHL I would be that player who not only play solid two-way hockey, but making it hard for others to play against me by being physical, dropping the gloves and etc…
That is why he got traded acourse from the Kings to the Rags because coaches, players and etc.. know that with for who he stands as a person at 6’7″ 252lbs that he should be playing physical, aggressive, and by playing hard to play against type of player, but that is not the case with Brian Boyle. He is a soft hearted guy that plays like a lil’ boy still and always will too. So when he gets bounced at one point out of the Rags line-up, he just better expect to know why.
But it’s good to know he is not being a hater about being traded by talking down harshly like some players would about their ex-team after them being traded.
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I would think he would feel very happy about now with that game-winning goal against the Kings. ‘Nuff said.
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