Boyes lived the dream playing for his hometown Leafs last campaign, but for the first time in three seasons, failed to reach double-digit goal totals. He finished with eight goals and 24 points in 60 games, and his pedestrian showing did not warrant a contract extension. The 34-year-old can still shoot the puck, but is no longer fit for a top-six role and doesn’t play with the edge required of most bottom-six players. He’ll be a depth option for teams in need of secondary scoring.
Boyes had a nice season in 2013-14 tallying 21 goals and 36 points - his highest goals total since 2008-09. The veteran is in a nice position in Florida, surrounded by some young high-end talent who should mature around him and set him up for some nice seasons. Another 20-plus goal season should be easily within his grasp if the 31-year-old is healthy, which has been one of his enduring qualities in his career.
The streaky Boyes is a surprisingly effective retread who often returns positive value, if you happen to be shrewd enough to pick him up off the waiver wire. And this is exactly where you should look to find him after Draft Day. At press time Boyes remains an unrestricted free agent.
The Isles signed Boyes on the cheap to replace Pierre Parenteau, who signed a large free agent contract with Colorado. Boyes is on the downside of a career that saw him crack 40 goals five seasons ago; he will try to revive what is left of his career with the Islanders. The good news is that Parenteau played on the top line with John Tavares and Matt Moulson, so Boyes could be given a chance to ride shotgun with that productive duo. If Boyes starts scoring goals consistently again, he will make a savvy late round selection or waiver pick-up.
Boyes came to the Sabres at the trade deadline last year and busted out of the gates with two goals and two assists in his first three games with his new team. And that was as good as it got for Boyes in his new surrounding. He quickly became a whipping boy for fans due to his disappearing act in the playoffs where he was AWOL for the first six games of Buffalo's seven-game loss to Philadelphia. But you can't ignore his regular season numbers or his durability. Because of the trade, Boyes appeared in 83 games last year, notching 55 points (17 G, 38 A). If the Sabres can get that kind of production out of him in 2011-12 they will be thrilled.
Boyes is no longer considered St. Louis' top scorer after falling off to 14 goals in 2009-10. After posting 76 goals in the two seasons prior, he certainly didn't benefit from Andy Murray's tinkering with line combinations. But Boyes wasn't the same marksman he was, scoring on just 7.1 percent of his shots and just two power play goals. The Blues made him available late in the season, but there were no takers at $4.25 million over the next two seasons. Despite the precipitous drop from Boyes and other players, the Blues did nothing to help the offense, so they are counting on a bounce-back season. And that's not out of the question for the 28-year-old right winger. He'll likely start on the second line and will have a chance to find the scoring touch with Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie.
Boyes followed up his 43-goal season with a career-high 72 points (33, 39) in 2008-09 to lead the Blues in scoring for the second consecutive year. Last year's minus-20 (last on the team) was alarming, but he's still young (27), has improved his scoring game, and clearly is the team's most important offensive player. He led them in game-winners (11, second in NHL), power-play goals (16, tied-fifth) and shots (220). With a better supporting cast, Boyes shouldn't be as much of a focus for opponents. A return to 40 goals is possible for Boyes, who hasn't missed a game in two seasons.
The unsung Boyes broke out with 43 goals last season, which was good for fifth overall in the NHL. His nine game-winning tallies were far and away the best on the team (his closest teammate had three) and his 11 power-play markers were second only to Keith Tkachuk's 12. It's probably unrealistic to expect 43 goals again from him, since that was such an aberration over his previous career numbers and also considering that opposing teams will likely focus more on him this season than last. Still, Boyes is young (26) and entering just his second year in coach Andy Murray's system. He should also benefit from the added experience of the younger players around him. All things considered, another 40-goal campaign is within reach.
After struggling in Boston last season with only 34 points in 62 games, Boyes seemed to find his game following his subsequent trade to St. Louis, scoring 12 points in his final 19 games. This season, he will certainly be given a look on the Blues' top line alongside Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuk, and if he click with these guys-watch out. With the right linemates, Boyes could surpass the 69 points he scored back in 2005-06 with Boston, when he was part of the "BBS" line along with Patrice Bergeron and Marco Sturm. Put Boyes on your sleeper list and don't be afraid to take a chance on him in the middle to later rounds of your draft this year.
Last season, Boyes scored 69 points as a rookie and would have probably contended for the Calder Trophy was it not for that guy in Washington and that other guy in Pittsburgh. Boyes is blessed with hockey smarts, that intangible trait that has elevated the game of many an average player before him. His chemistry with Bergeron is electric, but he will face much tighter checking from opponents this season. We think he might take a small step back offensively as he prepares to ramp it up for a point-a-game 2007-08. Watch him carefully -- there should be a role for him on your squad this season and keeper leaguers should try to trade for him when he hits his first dry spell. You won't be sorry you did.
Boyes has second-line center written all over him, but he won't get that chance in Boston this year. There's a chance he'll make the Bruins as either the fourth-line center or as a third or fourth line winger, but it might be better for him to play 20 minutes a game in the AHL (not that he has anything to prove there). He carries with him an impressive load of hardware (most recently as a second-team AHL All-Star) so it's only a matter of time before he makes his mark in the NHL. Just don't count on any significant fantasy production this season.
