2010-11 Rink Wrap: Boyd Gordon

I was going to vote 4 because even though I didn’t expect much offense out of him I expected more than 9 points.

That said, I didn’t expect to get 60 games out of him (which is saying something), and I was impressed at how he really stepped it up on faceoffs once Steckel was gone. To get a higher rating from me he has to play in the same number of games, or higher, keep up his good work on the draw, and do SOMETHING on offense. I don’t think 15 points is too much to ask for from Gordo.

I am definitely in favor for bringing him back if the price is right – and I believe it will be.

Faceoffs and PK alone have him >7. Add what we got for the value. I gave him a 9.

He met my expectations; killed penalties well, did great on face-offs and was solid as a fourth-liner. I’m leaning towards raising his score a bit because of how much he improved once Steckel was traded. He got even better at face-offs, took a somewhat bigger PKing role and he was pinned with so many defensive zone draws in the playoffs. However, his offensive production was lower than I thought it would be, not that I expected it to be that high anyway. I also remember him having a rough February so that’s bringing my vote down a little bit.

I’d like to have him back at the same cost although $800 might be a little too high for someone who kills penalties but his face-off abilities make him somewhat valuable. Guess it depends if we can find another fourth liner with the same assets as him for the league minimum.

He did exactly what we needed him to do and did it well.

The offensive drop-off doesn’t bother me a lot, because that is mainly extra to me. I think Gordo was a huge help on the PK – which is where he needs to shine. His faceoff ability is still worth keeping him for, IMO. I don’t think I’d go much over $800K, because all he really brings is a 4th line center with excellent faceoff ability and good defense.

I could see him being replaced in the near future, but only if Beagle can step his game up. Until then, $800K is a good price for someone who brings what he does.

I’m either going 6 or 7. I’m surprised his back held up so well, I thought he played pretty well all year. But I can’t say it was too much more than what I expected. The health is the biggest thing pushing him above the 5/6.

I think he can be the 4C for another year or two, but unless he wants to take a bargain deal I doubt he gets more than 2 years. We have Cs coming, but none of his variety. Beagle isn’t ready to be that guy, and Kuz/Eakin aren’t going to be the shut down variety. To get a ten he has to put together a year that looks like he’s Manny Malhotra.

http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=2&f1=2010_s%202009_s%202008_s&f2=5v5%204v5&f3=BOYDGORDON&c=1+2+3+7+8+10+11+13+24+27+29+59+60+63#

Not sure if that helps anyone, but I had it, so I figured I’d post it.

I gave him a 7. He took on a bigger role this year with tougher competition and less ozone starts, but was able to improve his dzone faceoff percentage and generally play even hockey while out there. The fact that he did it consistently for 60 games was great to see.

Know Gordon, Know Win.

No Gordon, No Win.

6.

Perhaps a 5, the low side of expectations, might have been more appropriate. On the one hand, his offensive contributions were downright putrid. But his defensive play and faceoffs, particularly down the stretch, were very good. Of course, I expect that from BG, so I can’t really say he was much above expectations in that regard. So I have convinced myself while typing this, 4 was the correct vote :-)

The Discussion: Does the fact that he’s been a bargain signing year after year somewhat temper the fact that injuries are a recurring issue for Boyd Gordon? With Steckel’s departure, has Gordon solidified himself as the team’s fourth-line center for the foreseeable future – and would that be accompanied by a slightly lengthier contract this summer? Or does the team’s slew of young, up-and-coming centers in the pipeline mean that Gordon’s time with the organization is coming to an end? Finally, what would it take for Gordon to get a ‘10’ from you in 2011-12?

I think he is defintely pretty solidly locked in as the 4C, mainly because his faceoffs are so strong. But I doubt the caps will go long term on his contract, nor do I think they should. They can find another strong faceoff guy who is probably better at staying in the lineup and chipping in a bit more offense without much trouble in free-agency.

To earn a 10 next year, he needs to add offense and health to his strong D play and faceoffs. Say, 8+ goals, 20+ pts, and 70+ games.

I expected the injuries and good defense. He outdid my expectations for faceoffs, but fell short offensively.

For a 5.5 next year: this year, repeated.

For a 10: 63% or better on faceoffs, GAON/60 under 4 for the PK, and 18+ points

Whimsical +1 for using “slew” correctly in a sentence.

5

I feel I got what I expected. If he is back next year and takes a lion’s share of the def zone faceoffs I will give him a 20.

I had him at 61 games, 5-13-18, +8
He finished at 60 games, 3-6-9, minus-5

The offense projection was perhaps more hope than expectation, but still…nine points from a former first round pick in his seventh year with the club. But he is among the better defensive forwards in the league, and that’s a way he has, if not remade his game, then at least used that ability to stick around. He is what he is, an offense-challenged forward who does a lot of little things pretty well that do not show up in the score sheet. The Caps were 38-22 in games he played, 10-12 in games he didn’t. But if the Caps really do need to get a little more from the last two forward lines to carry a player with this skill set, who does not contribute much on offense.

6 (for the winning presence)

But if the Caps really do need to get a little more from the last two forward lines to carry a player with this skill set, who does not contribute much on offense

Agree completely. The lack of pretty much any offense from the third and fourth lines is killer and certainly played a part in the early playoff exit.

About what I expected. Solid defensive play, good on the dot, not much offense, injuries costing him a bunch of games.

A solid player and has a role on the 4th line/PK/face off must-win situation. I hope the Caps can find some room to bring him back. I can’t imagine after this season he’s going to suddenly jump to something over $3M.

To get a 10, well, he’d have to keep doing what he does defensively and get the goal total to 10 as well. Not a likely story, but he’s got a good shot, he just needs to bring it out more.

4. The problem Boyd Gordon points to is the lack of offensive depth on what is still regarded by many as a very offensively gifted team. Whether you look at box cars or offensive GVT, this team does not have enough depth of firepower on it’s roster, and so marginal NHLers like Gordon, Brads, Chimmer, MP, Hendricks, Stecks before the trade all end up getting meaningful minutes and contributing almost nothing. For the overwhelming majority of the season, MarJo contributed no offense either. I’m down with the TOI investment in MarJo for development and lack of better options reasons, but you simply can’t carry that many pop guns and expect good odds to win it all. What this year exposed was just how top heavy our roster is, and while you can win in the NBA with a couple stars and bunch of guys one step removed from the D league, in hockey you need a lot more depth than that b/c no 5 guys can skate 45 minutes a night.

Got what was expected from him in terms of offensive production (~10 pts) and penalty killing. Above-expected performance in the faceoff dot, particularly with the departure of Steckel, gets him the bump from five to six.

Despite the lack of offense (and consistent health), Boyd acquitted himself well in his role. He’s a good 4C and I can see him getting a slight raise to stay on with us. I’m not sure what sort of offers he will field from other teams, but I expect that at least one team to come knocking. Beagle offers similar skills, at a discount, so we’ll see.

As with F-16, I’d love to see this guy stay healthy and out of the doghouse for a full year should he re-sign with us. As with F-16, I don’t expect either to happen.

Honestly, I expected him to miss way more games. And his PK was great.

After the previous season I was concerned he would totally throw his back out and be sidelined a lot. He didn’t and he wasn’t, and when he played I thought he performed his role very well. I feel confident when he’s out there on the PK. There were times when he took or delivered a hit and I wondered if that would be the reinjury to the back. He’s pretty cheap, too.

Regular season score: 5

Playoff score: 7 (I thought he was really great in the playoffs this year)

Regular season may mean Nixon, but I’m going to average them and give him a 6.