New York Islanders 2016-17 Player Grades: Johnny Boychuk

After a bit of a down year, 2016-17 was a bounce back season for New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk.

Last season, I gave New York Islanders defenseman, Johnny Boychuk, a C+ for his yearly grade. As one of Boychuk’s biggest cheerleaders, it was painful but justified. This season was markedly better for Boychuk and that makes this year so much easier.

Numbers wise, Boychuk finished pretty much on par with last season with six goals and 17 assists. He finished on the plus side of the ledger and when diving in advanced stats he was the Islanders most consist defenseman.

With not much movement in the numbers, what makes this season different from the last when Boychuk was seen as a disappointment?

The Difference A Coach Makes

As with so many of the Islanders, once Jack Capuano was out the door, Boychuk’s fortunes began to change. Boychuk’s time on the ice increased as a top pair defenseman alongside Nick Leddy.

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When partnered with Thomas Hickey, Boychuk was steady. Once Doug Weight took over, he was steady with Leddy. He wasn’t just strong himself, though. He offered Leddy some kind of security to do the things that make him so effective and bolster the entire team’s game.

The fact remains that since Boychuk joined the Islanders, the team hasn’t fared well in his absence. Each season the veteran defenseman has gone down with any extended injury, the Islanders haven’t put together a winning record.

Never was that more apparent – or meaningful – than this past season. Boychuk’s absence during the Isles run towards the playoffs was tangible. Even their five wins during that time didn’t have a solid feel.

There continues to be an undervaluing trend amongst this organization and even its fans when it comes to Boychuk. It could be the size and length of his contract or his no-movement clause.

Watch him in warmups. Notice how he seems to just loosen people up, especially John Tavares.

Next: Defensive Core Needs to Improve

Boychuk brought consistency to the backend, a better Leddy, and intangibles that just aren’t replaceable. There’s little doubt the Islanders had a date with the Capitals in the first round had he not gotten hurt.

Though we’d like to see him hit the net with that rocket a little more, he’s right there alongside Leddy with a B+.