The Hockey News: Special Features: Analysis: Grabbing Boyle from Tampa a Dan-dy move by the Sharks

Analysis: Grabbing Boyle from Tampa a Dan-dy move by the Sharks

Dan Boyle is moving from one coast to another. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ryan Dixon
2008-07-04 16:04:21

Hopefully fans of the teal didn’t spend too much time feeling blue over the team’s defense.

Just days after saying goodbye to Brian Campbell, the San Jose Sharks have signed Rob Blake and brought in Dan Boyle via trade from Tampa Bay.

Forgetting about Blake for the moment, let’s just examine the exit-Campbell, enter-Boyle aspect of the story. The two defensemen are similar in style, both relying on speed, smarts and vision to be dependable puck-movers. In Boyle, 31, the Sharks are getting a slightly older, slightly better version of Campbell, who’s 29.

Even those who would contend the two are of equal talent have to acknowledge San Jose came out ahead when you factor in Boyle, at $6.6 million per season, is also slightly cheaper than Campbell.

A freak accident that saw a skate drop from a stall and cut Boyle’s wrist limited him to just 37 games last year. In 2006-07, Boyle notched 20 goals and 63 points while playing in all 82 games. That’s one more than the 62 points Campbell put up last season.

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Another boon for San Jose in landing Boyle is the fact his points tend to be built more equally on goals and assists, while Campbell is more of a set-up guy from the point.

Boyle’s past is also consistent with that of Blake’s and new Sharks coach Todd McLellan in that he’s got his name etched on the Stanley Cup. San Jose GM Doug Wilson has obviously decided that, since his team can’t turn the championship corner, he’s going to turn the Sharks into a team comprised of champions.

As for the 38-year-old Blake, Wilson is counting on him being rejuvenated by one last Cup run after playing a mentoring role with the Kings’ young defense corps. The fact Blake can go out and do his thing on the second or third defense pair should alleviate any unrealistic expectations that would have been placed on him had he been San Jose’s sole blueline acquisition this summer.

Wilson deserves credit for acting fast on this one.

Where not long ago his team had a hole, now it’s got some rings with a good chance to win more thanks to an enhanced defense corps.

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COMMENTS (25)

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Alexandre Bouchard Posted
(2009-04-30 06:39:44)

Lidstrom has 4 stanley cup. 9 nominations to the norris trophy in 10 years. And he won 6 of them. Nad a Conn Smythe. You can talk about Boyle and Campbell but Lidstrom is the best defenceman of his generation.

Tackleberry Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:45)

Please do not judge TB fans by what Lady Bolt wrote. Some TB fans are upset at the WAY the Boyle deal was handled. Is Boyle the BEST D-man, no. Is he well above average? Yes. Was he TB's best D-man? Yes. Boyle was paid the $6.6mil by the soon-to-be-ex GM, Jabba the Hut Feaster. He was ranked 30th in the NHL by The Hockey News. Now, TB has the old Carle and the young Wishart. Plus a 1st Rd pick in '09. The Bolts still have a huge hole in the D for most teams to take advantage of. As a TB fan, I am hoping this is not all that will be done for the blue line in Tampa. Scores will look like baseball or low scoring football games. Time will only determine who will have obtained the better trade.

rinkratt Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:13)

ya thanks TB for another heartless player in danny boy. best D-man in hockey get real. You should watch the game befor you speak. Norris will never knock on danny boys door. What was his plus/mins last year, let me think, -10000000000000000 or so. Thanks wilson for a great skater with no brain. The sharks are waiting for the wizard of OZ , no heart, no brain, and no courage to play the game of hockey past the reg. season. Go sharks, i will still suport u no matter how dumb Wilson is, can't help it i am a fan.

Brian Kemp Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:08)

Good pickup on Dan Boyle. I'm not sure if Blake really has anything left, but Boyle will look pretty good on the Sharks PP. He's better than Campbell (at least before the skate injury), having actually won something before, and is being payed closer to what he's worth. TB overpaid him, but only by .5 to 1 mil, so all in all, not too bad of a deal. They gave up a lot for him, but now they don't have to make another deadline deal for a high end defenseman. Carle and Wishart will do well in Tampa. At least Carle won't have to worry about being shipped down to the minors every time he does something to displease Ron Wilson. He'll have the chance to learn in the NHL.

neilw Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:06)

The Sharks taking Boyle erased a HUGE payroll mistake for the Lightning. Wilson needs to win the Cup this year or he's done. After this series of moves, I am poised to become a Lightning fan. They've taken huge steps in the right direction. LadyBolts, get a grip: You don't know frustration until you've walked a mile in an Islander fan's moccasins.

Jean Beliveau Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:04)

There has been too many accidents that have happened to players like Boyle and the rest of their careers have never been the same. Such a cut on a wrist has happened before Boyle to Donald Audette, whose career went down spiral afterwards. Nothing against Boyle (actually I believe that before getting injured, he was superior to Campbell), but I am one of those believers who think he'll never be the same player again. Hopefully I'm wrong, because, if Boyle gets back to his former shape, with the addition and leadership of Blake, maybe, just maybe, the Sharks will finally stop teasing every expert and their fans once playoffs season begins!

nor cal Posted
(2009-04-30 06:33:02)

boyle, cambel, both five foot nothing and a hundred and somthing, who cares anyway no nobody's gona beat detroit any way, doug wilson got raped on tha cambel deal

Hawks76 Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:58)

How much is a puck moving D-man worth? It cost San Jose 2 first round picks, Bernier, Carle, a d prospect , and a 4th rounder to finally land a guy making 6.67 who only played 30 something games last year. Thanks for making Campbell look like a total steal Dougie. Campbell repeatedly said he was gonna test the market, maybe you should have listened.

Nicole Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:57)

Before judging this move let's wait until the season starts and see how the Lightning play. After several years of this team doing nothing to get better they are at least trying something. Is it a gamble? Sure. But time will tell. They look solid at forward and I agree the D looks very shaky and young. They have not had a decent minor league team in years and a lot of these moves have addressed that as well. If nothing else with the Melrose connection the Lightning may get an occasional mention in the news (good or bad). Wish all the best to Boyle an his family and have certainly enjoyed watching him over the years. He will be missed.

Smack Yourself Stupid Posted
(2009-04-30 06:32:54)

Awww, so the little bolt babies are crying in their pina coladas because they traded an overpaid, underacheiving "defenseman"??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? You'd think Dougie Wilson would know better!! Matt Carle has a decent upside and plays harder to boot. Boyle is definitely no Brian Campbell...

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