Boyle update
A lot of people have been asking about Brian Boyle, and I've been holding off on posting anything until I heard something definitive, but unfortunately there's not much definitive to say. Word out of the Kings' camp today is that negotiations with Boyle have begun and that they're hopeful of getting a deal done. It doesn't seem that anything is imminent. The Jack Johnson deal took about three days to get done, but there was a sense of urgency there because both sides wanted to see him in the NHL before the end of the season. Boyle's comments in the Union-Leader indicate that he would like to play in Manchester this season, but it's far from crucial for either side. Boyle has talked about finishing his studies, so that's another factor.
Jeff Solomon, the Kings' director of hockey operations, is handling the talks, as he usually does. Dean Lombardi and Ron Hextall are keeping tabs, but both are headed to Russia for the World Championships and to keep an eye on the Kings' interests overseas. This also means that my sit-down with Hextall and/or Lombardi has been delayed a bit, but will take place when they get back in town.
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About Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
I could be wrong, but I just don't feel the new management team thinks Boyle is much more than a project, and only serves to remind them of the questionable decisions made by the old guard.
I think Boyle will be aa quality player and alot of people have jumped off his bandwagon early. He will definately need some time in the AHL but I think we will be happy we waited.
If the Kings do give up on him, I hope they at least not decrease his trade value to the level of the Boyle bashers on the boards.
Unless he becomes a standout at the NHL level, which seems unlikely, the selection of Boyle appears to have been a poor decision. If it takes him two years in the AHL before he is ready for the NHL (which certainly will be the case if he is converted to defense), that will be six years spent on a project. In such a deep draft as his was, there were much better options for use of that first round pick than Boyle.
If signed, we may end up only getting a couple years of him at the NHL level before he becomes a UFA under the new CBA.
Boyle signs ATO (Amateur Tryout) with the Monarchs and should be in the lineup for their final two games prior to the playoffs.
http://www.monarchshockey.com/fullstory.php?id=2688