The Boylen Point Page 2 - The Hockey News

The Boylen Point

The Boylen Point: Pronger proving to be the best of a generation

by Rory Boylen - June 1, 2010 3:45 PM EDT

Chris Pronger has always been an elite defenseman, but in the post-lockout era he's been defining himself as the best of his time.
Love him or hate him, Chris Pronger is one mean son of a something-or-other and when it comes to who you’d want manning your blueline in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, there are few who rival his presence.

The Boylen Point: Yzerman learned the GM tricks before entering the trade

by Rory Boylen - May 25, 2010 3:20 PM EDT

Instead of jumping in before he was ready, Steve Yzerman learned how to become a GM and is now going to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Not that Steve Yzerman is a shoo-in to be the 2011 recipient of the newly created GM of the Year Award, but Tampa Bay Lightning fans can take great comfort in the fact the man most in demand to become a new GM this summer decided to ‘Go Gulfing.

The Boylen Point: Can Dale Tallon give the Panthers teeth?

by Rory Boylen - May 18, 2010 1:35 PM EDT

The once-promising franchise never built on its early success and has slipped into mediocrity, so Florida must give their new GM room and time to work.
The Florida Panthers were an early expansion success story. Three years into its existence, Florida shocked everyone by making it to the Stanley Cup final.

The Boylen Point: Sharks following Red Wings' long road to Stanley Cup

by Rory Boylen - May 11, 2010 12:55 PM EDT

Much like Detroit, San Jose has suffered plenty of playoff disappointments, but now looks to be ready to break through for an NHL championship.
In a pool of 12 guys, I was assigned about the worst place you could be picking for an NHL playoff pool: No. 8. Right in the middle. Too late to pick up Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin and too late to pick the top player from a team (Vancouver) I and everyone else – or so it seemed – wanted to load up on.

The Boylen Point: Why the NHL isn't big in the USA

by Rory Boylen - May 8, 2010 9:20 AM EDT

It's not about the refs, it's not about TV coverage and it's not even about the NHL: hockey isn't a natural fit in most places south of the 49th parallel.
Why isn’t the NHL a big deal in the United States? One of the game’s biggest stars is stationed in the nation’s capital. Another is in a great sports town built on steel.

The Boylen Point: Respecting the game first

by Rory Boylen - April 6, 2010 12:00 PM EDT

It's hard to argue player respect is lower in this day in age, but that's certainly not the case for respecting the sport.
In the latest edition of The Hockey News, the philosophy of the bodycheck was questioned and the subject of player respect broached. Both are touchy, but worthy subjects within the hockey community and rightfully so; they go hand-in-hand and are an integral part of each and every competitive game.