One team’s loss is another team’s gain. For the New York Islanders that gain has been Johnny Boychuk, the Boston Bruins’ loss. For the cap strapped Bruins, the move was made out of necessity – not want.
“I’m sure the guys are bummed, and they’re probably a little bit bummed at me for doing it,” said Peter Chiarelli in a quote from the Boston Globe “But it’s about making the team better now, tomorrow, the next day, the next day. Arguably this doesn’t make us better now, obviously.”
Definitely sounds like a man that didn’t have a choice but to make a trade. The 30-year old Boychuk was shipped to the Islanders for two second round picks as well as a conditional third round selection.
The rugged defenseman joined an Islanders blue liner without a clear cut number one defender, but loaded with young talent. Brian Strait is the player drafted the latest his draft year and that was in the third round. With the inclusion of Nick Leddy, the Islanders had four first round picks patrolling the blue line.
With his experience, they all have turned their heads to the grizzled veteran and he in turn has led the charge to their early start.
Known more for his physical play and his reliability in his own end – Boychuk has shown an offensive upside that the lack of opportunity prevented him showing in Boston. His career high in points is 23-from a year ago, and just five games in he has six.
While never getting a real opportunity on the power play in Boston, Boychuk is among the team’s leaders (tops for defenseman) in ice time with the man advantage, already doubling his power play goal output over his entire career. His five points overall paces the team overall.
Two years ago the Islanders gave the top seeded Pittsburgh Penguins a run for their money in the opening round of the playoffs giving fans hope of a truly contending team for years to come. Last year they quickly came crashing down, finishing with the fifth fewest points in the entire league.
Loaded with talent up front, the Islanders lacked depth on the blue line as well an answer in net. Boychuk, as well as Leddy and goalie Jaroslav Halak appear to be the answers they were looking for.
The Islanders lost their first game of the season against the same Penguins who knocked them out of the playoffs two years ago, but they showed that they are closer to that team than the one they fielded a year ago.
New York will always be led by John Tavares, but Boychuk may have well been the missing link and his potential contributions the rest of the way out will certainly not go unnoticed come free agency.
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