Thread: SJ Trades Heatly to Minn for Havlat

Originally Posted by Kubrick

I still don't like their defense. Burns and Boyle are both supremely talented but neither can be considered #1 defenders.

Name 30 Dmen better than Boyle.

You can't.

He's a #1 Dman.

Originally Posted by jt

Name 30 Dmen better than Boyle.

You can't.

He's a #1 Dman.

Right, and Jarret Stoll is a #2 Center. I've seen this game before...

A 35 year old Dan Boyle is not the #1 d-man I'd choose to build my team's defense around. The only difference between Boyle and Visnovsky, Markov or Mike Green is the ring he won in 04/05.

So you're right, he is a #1 and, thankfully, he's the Sharks #1.

Originally Posted by jt

Name 30 Dmen better than Boyle.

You can't.

He's a #1 Dman.

I can name about 179 other dmen that didn't shoot the puck into their own net . . . in the playoffs

I think it was a 50/50 spilt. Losing Heatley and adding space for a depth defenseman, all while retaining a high skill level is a great move.

But the Burns trade, I dunno. If they can retain him next year, and I'm not sure that they can without moving one key top-6 forward, then its a wash. Either way they didn't get anything that they didn't already have.

Handzus was just a great signing for them. He is going to wonders for a guy like Torrey Mitchell, and finally given them the matchup centerman that they badly needed. If they can grab one more defensively sound blueliner with the space created in the Heatley deal, they are going to be very difficult to deal with.

Originally Posted by Mondo Blando

I think it was a 50/50 spilt. Losing Heatley and adding space for a depth defenseman, all while retaining a high skill level is a great move.

But the Burns trade, I dunno. If they can retain him next year, and I'm not sure that they can without moving one key top-6 forward, then its a wash. Either way they didn't get anything that they didn't already have.

Handzus was just a great signing for them. He is going to wonders for a guy like Torrey Mitchell, and finally given them the matchup centerman that they badly needed. If they can grab one more defensively sound blueliner with the space created in the Heatley deal, they are going to be very difficult to deal with.

i wonder how much they intend to rely on Vandermeer in that role?

Fair trade. Will still choke.

Originally Posted by Kubrick

Right, and Jarret Stoll is a #2 Center. I've seen this game before...

A 35 year old Dan Boyle is not the #1 d-man I'd choose to build my team's defense around. The only difference between Boyle and Visnovsky, Markov or Mike Green is the ring he won in 04/05.

So you're right, he is a #1 and, thankfully, he's the Sharks #1.

Well done and when you change your criticism like you did, I agree with you.

Although as a Caps fan, I think there's a world of difference between Boyle and Green. I would trade a 25 year old Green for a 35 year old Boyle TODAY.

Originally Posted by gescom

i wonder how much they intend to rely on Vandermeer in that role?

I forgot about Vandermeer. I guess they just have to decide if they want to re-sign Nichol or go with Desjardins.

I still doubt that even an enhanced supporting cast will be enough to make up for their top talents lack of fortitude, but they are in better shape to give it a run now.

Originally Posted by jt

Name 30 Dmen better than Boyle.

You can't.

He's a #1 Dman.

Nick Lidstrom
Zdeno Chara
Shea Weber
Dan Hamuis
Duncan Keith
Chris Pronger
Mike Greene
Mark Streit
Brian Rafalski

those guys outright are better...
Hell..and you could make an argument for these guys..

Drew Doughty
Tyler Myers
Brent Seabrook
Brooks Orpik
Dion Phaneuf
Jay Bouwmeester
Victor Hedman
Erik Johnson
Christian Erhoff
Brent Burns
etc. etc.

Dan Boyle is a fantastic defensemen. But to say "name 30 defensemen better then him"? I could name 9-10 off the top of my head and 20 if I REALLY thought about it.

Boyles defensive game isn't that great, and he gets muscled off the puck fairly easily