I'm a Winnipeg Jets fan who would love to be a GM in the NHL. I have no experience, references or insider contacts. I do have a love for the game, a knack for research and analysis... as well as too much free time. This is my first post so I expect no mercy and some abuse so here goes.
The subject today is the Jets need to add scoring punch by acquiring a top 6 forward. That means at least 20+ goals with potential for 30+... not easy to find especially without giving up something significant. The UFA market is pretty thin and Cheveldayoff would have moved on anyone left that interested him. So... trade for Brad Boyes in Buffalo.
Brad Boyes #22 – RW/C - Buffalo Age: 29, DOB: 1982/04/17, POB: Mississauga, Ont, Canada. Height: 6-0, Weight: 200lbs, Shoots: Right, NHL Seasons: 7 Drafted by Toronto in 2000 (1/24)
| Year | Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | PIM | Shots | PCT | Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | Buffalo | NHL | 21 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 46 | 10.87 | 11 |
| 2010-11 | St. Louis | NHL | 62 | 12 | 29 | 41 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 132 | 9.09 | 56 |
| 2010-11 | Total StL/Buf | NHL | 83 | 17 | 38 | 55 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 178 | 9.55 | 67 |
| 2009-10 | St. Louis | NHL | 82 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 197 | 7.11 | 76 |
| 2008-09 | St. Louis | NHL | 82 | 33 | 39 | 72 | -20 | 16 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 26 | 220 | 15.00 | 49 |
| 2007-08 | St. Louis | NHL | 82 | 43 | 22 | 65 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 20 | 207 | 20.77 | - |
| 2006-07 | St. Louis | NHL | 19 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 43 | 9.30 | - |
| 2006-07 | Boston | NHL | 62 | 13 | 21 | 34 | -17 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 139 | 9.35 | - |
| 2006-07 | Total Bos/StL | NHL | 81 | 17 | 29 | 46 | -17 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 182 | 9.34 | - |
| 2005-06 | Boston | NHL | 82 | 26 | 43 | 69 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 30 | 203 | 12.81 | - |
Why Buffalo does it: Boyes was acquired 2011/2/27 from St. Louis for a second round pick in 2011. He was available because the Blues wanted more defence from him and his offence suffered leaving him with a lack of confidence. The media referred to him as a sniper coming to Buffalo to add scoring in the playoff push. He started off hot with 5g 3a in his first 10 games but cooled quickly with only 6a in the last 11 games. He scored only once in 7 games in the playoffs, on the power-play.
His time in Buffalo has gone poorly with injuries to line-mates and too much time playing C. The playoffs arrived and he received shortened ice-time moving between the 3rd and 4th line. Obviously not what either the Sabres or Boyes wanted to have happen, his fragile ego badly bruised and their losing confidence in him. His slide down the depth chart leads me to believe he could be available.
Boyes is also in the final year of his contract this season for 4 million, quite a bit for a guy demoted to your bottom six forwards. The real motivation for the Sabres to move him...being $3,595,357 over the salary cap this trade gets them under the required 64.3 million cap prior to the season starting.
Why Winnipeg does it: Boyes is only 29 and an UFA after this season. Looking at his stats he has put up pretty good assist numbers throughout his career but his scoring production has decreased in the last two seasons to 14 + 17 from the previous two of 43 + 33. His 43 goal season included 32 at even strength, only Corey Perry had more last season with 36.
His best position is as a shooter at RW although he has played C. He is capable on face-offs and it's always nice having another guy to take draws. He is a PP threat, takes few penalties and with shootouts deciding games adding one of the best in the league on penalty shots is a plus. He will likely be available in OT since he has played 492 consecutive games putting him 3rd in the NHL and in this era of tight cap management an Iron-man is a nice perk. Consistency, not effort, has been his only real issue and if the Jets help him find it, he's a steal.
Winnipeg would only have to give up a pick since Buffalo doesn't want to take back any salary. Buffalo cannot expect to recoup the 2nd rounder they gave up for him with Boyes drop in the depth chart. Throw in the dire need for cap space and finding a suitor for a 4 million dollar reclamation project... offer Buffalo a conditional pick... a 3rd rounder if he re-signs in Winnipeg or a 5th rounder if not.
Coach Noel telling him just shoot the puck, he'll get plenty of ice-time and PP minutes may be just the encouragement he needs. No doubt he would relish a real opportunity to re-acquire his scoring touch. I'd like to see how he would work on a line with a really good set-up man at C like Burmistrov and a big power forward on LW like Kane. Moving to a young, hungry team with available minutes might be his best chance to resurrect his career as well as to establish his value for his next contract.
This is a low risk trade with a potential for a high reward. Best case scenario... Boyes is rejuvenated and has 35+ goals, 40+ assists and is a contender for comeback player of the year. The Jets sign him to a respectable deal and we have a game breaking scorer in the fold for the next few years. Sadly, if he even scores 25ish goals with 35ish assists it's a win for the Jets since 60 points would have been tops on the team last season. Worst case... his game doesn't rebound and he's looking to score 15 goals and 25 assists so we trade him for a 6th rounder and bag of pucks at the deadline to anyone thinking they can still turn him around.
