Quote:
Originally Posted by ruckus
There's obviously a few ways to look at this but I think if you don't understand the importance of the roles that Prust and Boyle play on and off the ice then you're understating their importance. Boyle has been brutal offensively this year and I'm one of his biggest critics, but that doesn't mean he's not a vital part of the team. Especially when you consider he's Torts' go to guy late in games defensively. You can't act like that isn't important. Unless of course it doesn't matter to you that if we give up late leads in games.
Prust's style of play and how he stands up for teammates is huge. Huge. There's a reason that Torts refers to him as becoming part of the core. He's a good fourth line player and he can make some plays in the offensive zone as well.
|
Prust is similar to Langdon in how he's a fighter and a well-loved team guy, and he's better in his utility as a PKer, as well as being really strong on the boards and capable of tying up a good opposing line in their own zone. He will get re-signed this offseason, especially since he isn't going to command a huge paycheck.
Boyle is a go-to guy late because he's solid defensively and he's good on faceoffs. He's theoretically replaceable as a checking line center who can win faceoffs and PK, but he fits the team identity and he's signed for a few years.
That being said, neither is irreplaceable if they were to be out long-term due to injury, but they're a great part of the team now.