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A torn pectoral muscle ended Boyd's season at 16 games played, though he had eight points in those contests. During his time with the Coyotes, the veteran center emerged as a Swiss Army knife, capable of playing up or down the lineup and with just about any other player on the roster. He's expected to be recovered in time for 2024-25, but after signing with the Wild, it's unclear if he'll be an everyday player. Boyd is likely to be limited to a fourth-line role, and his place in the lineup will depend on how well Marat Khusnutdinov adjusts to his first full NHL campaign. Boyd could also be a candidate for power-play time, but it shouldn't be expected for him to fill that role.
Boyd recorded a career-high 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 74 games during his first season with the Coyotes in 2021-22. He nearly matched that total last campaign with 15 goals and 19 assists in 82 appearances. Boyd managed to produce just three goals and two assists during a 33-game stretch from Nov. 17-Jan. 24, which played a significant role in his point-per-game drop. He spent the majority of his playing between Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz on the top line of the Coyotes for a second straight season, though he lost the spot to Barrett Hayton down the stretch. Staying down the lineup could prevent Boyd from securing his third consecutive 30-point performance in 2023-24. Given his usage, expecting much more than what he's done the last two years is probably asking too much.
Taking on a massively increased role on a rebuilding Coyotes team, Boyd arrived in the desert a season ago and immediately posted career-best marks in goals (17), assists (18), points (35), shots on goal (83) and average time on ice (16:31). Boyd's 19.3 percent shooting percentage suggests there is some regression forthcoming in the goals department. He signed a two-year contract extension in March at a cap hit of $1.75 million, and he should again be relied upon for veteran leadership in what projects to be a very young Arizona lineup.
Boyd had only 10 points in 24 contests for the Capitals last year and became the odd-man-out among the forwards. He was able to get a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs, but the center depth in Toronto will likely keep Boyd in the press box more often than not this season. The 27-year-old adds next to nothing in terms of physicality, and the lack of a guaranteed role makes Boyd easy to pass over in the fantasy game. He's most likely destined for the taxi squad or the minor leagues in 2020-21.
A lower-body injury delayed the start of his season, but Boyd was a serviceable depth forward for the Capitals in 2018-19. The 177th overall pick in the 2011 draft managed five goals and 20 points in 53 games - despite averaging just 9:50 of ice time. The 25-year-old will have some competition in the bottom six but owns enough offensive skill that he shouldn't be out of the lineup for long stretches.
After a productive career in the minors, Boyd is primed to challenge for a full-time role in the NHL. The 24-year-old center has shown plenty of offensive potential over the last four seasons with AHL Hershey, posting 53 goals, 112 assists and 165 points in 215 career AHL games while producing one assist in eight games with the Capitals in 2017-18. The sixth-round pick from the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has an excellent opportunity to earn a roster spot with the Capitals during training camp given the departure of Jay Beagle in free agency. However, consistent ice time could be difficult to come by given Washington's depth in the bottom six, and thus his fantasy value remains fairly limited unless he can move up the depth chart.
One of only four selections by the Capitals in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the 24-year-old pivot has taken tremendous strides with his development in AHL Hershey, posting 16 goals and 63 points in 76 games for the Bears in 2016-17 after finishing with a 53-point campaign the season before. Held back somewhat by his size (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), the Minnesotan's consistency at the minor league level has opened the door to a full-time NHL roster spot. However, it will be some time before he can carve out a meaningful offensive role even if he can make the Opening Night roster so his fantasy value (although having some upside in dynasty formats) remains in limbo for 2017-18.