Murray's thoughts on Boyle

By Rich Hammond on January 3, 2009 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) |

Here's what Terry Murray said this morning about Brian Boyle's return to the Kings and what Boyle needs to do better this time around. Boyle will center the Kings' fourth line, between Raitis Ivanans and John Zeiler...

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Question: It seemed like things went well for Boyle in Manchester. What does he need to do in order to stay here?

MURRAY: ``The reports we got from Manchester are that he went down with a great attitude and worked at the areas of the game that he needs to dig in on. That's using size and strength as a trump card for himself. The reports are indicating that that's what he's been doing, along with the scoring. He's deserving of another opportunity and that's why he's here, so I hope that everything works out for him. I'd like to see a big man like this be successful. If it's going to be on the third line or the fourth line, he needs to be able to have a presence with his skill. We can use him in other situations, on special teams, on the power play. He can be a force each time he's out on the ice. He can be a great addition to our team.''

Question: Do you think he has enough skill to be a top-six forward.

MURRAY: ``He has enough skill, yes, absolutely. The other part of the game is something that's been talked about this year, several times. That's what he needs to be able to figure out.''

3 Comments

Anonymous said:

``He has enough skill, yes, absolutely. The other part of the game is something that's been talked about this year, several times. That's what he needs to be able to figure out.''

He forgot the, "but I'm not going to give him the opportunity like I did with Moulson, Purcell and Lewis."

I guess I don't understand how a player could have much time with the puck if he's on the ice for such limited amounts of time as Boyle was given. I'm glad that Boyle has a good attitude about this.

January 3, 2009 1:52 PM

wavesinair

said:

Rich, I see that Murray frequently says things like, "The reports we got" and "The reports are indicating" etc. regarding players coming from Manchester.

Question: Are these "reports" from MM to TM directly? From the the assistant coaches to assistant coaches? Written report? Verbal report? Both? Video? Meeting with all coaches? What's the procedure?

I would think TM would actually watch specific video showing Boyle doing the things he mentioned and say he saw it. But I guess he just doesn't have the time to do that...?

January 3, 2009 4:41 PM

Nick

said:

I guess I don't understand how a player could have much time with the puck if he's on the ice for such limited amounts of time as Boyle was given. I'm glad that Boyle has a good attitude about this.

Lewis earned that time after starting on the 4th line. If Boyle works hard, he'll get his shot.

January 3, 2009 6:43 PM

J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey. E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra
@inlandnewspapers.com.

Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
.com.