The Leaf Blog: Examining The Boyd Devereaux Effect
Some time in 2008, Brayden Schenn’s name appeared on the ISS top ten for the first time. Minutes later, hordes of Leaf fans were campaigning for Toronto to draft him.
The fit seemed natural, for the rebuilding buds to structure their franchise around a couple of rugged Canadian brothers — one centre and one defenseman. The Leafs were hovering around Brayden’s projected draft position, but there was still time for a shift up or down in the standings.
On April 11th, 2009, the last day of the regular season, the Leafs were sitting in the seventh draft slot. If the Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings were to win that day, and the Leafs were to lose, Toronto would drop two places in the standings, giving them the fifth overall pick.
The unlikeliest portion of that scenario played out, as the Coyotes pulled off a 5-4 shootout victory over the Ducks, and Los Angeles toppled the Western Conference Champion San Jose Sharks.
With the stars aligning in the Leafs’ favour, fans could only hope for a loss in order to secure a top-5 draft position, but an eager 30-year-old from Seaforth, Ontario couldn’t contain himself.
Journeyman forward Boyd Devereaux scored a hat trick, the second of his career, helping the Leafs to a 5-2 victory over the Senators.
Sigh. Great timing Boyd.
The victory made the goal of acquiring Brayden Schenn a lot more difficult.
As the Leafs were officially slated to choose in the seventh slot after the draft lottery, the talk of trading up began. And it didn’t stop, either. From Burke publically identifying “Jonathan Tavares” as his target, to later lowering his goal, adjusting his aim to that of a top-5 draft position. Leaf fans realized that nabbing Tavares or Hedman was far-fetched, but the hope remained that Burke would come away with the younger Schenn.
Unfortunately for Leaf fans, no team ahead of them in the draft showed interest in trading down, unless Luke Schenn were to be included in any trade scenario. The Elder Schenn, who has been dubbed by hardcores as “OLAS” (Our Luke And Savior), was deemed untouchable by Brian Burke and Leafs Nation.
Although Burke gave Leaf fans one of the all-time greatest “Take that, Ottawa!” moments they’ve ever had the pleasure to chew on, he left the Bell Centre that day having selected Nazem Kadri instead of Brayden Schenn.
‘And just think, this was all because of Boyd Devereaux’, Leaf fans thought.
The Devereaux hat trick might go down in Leaf history as another horror story, but there does exist the possibility that ol’ Boyd will become a Leaf folk hero instead.
Why?
Not many experts have Schenn pegged as a number one centre. He is supposed to be an excellent number two man, a rugged checking centre, who will one day be a quasi-star in the NHL, but probably not a top-line talent.
Nazem Kadri, who wasn’t as highly touted as Schenn, has been identified as a player with an array of offensive skills, who may one day develop into a Marc Savard-type playmaker. He draws opponents to him and creates space for his linemates, with speed and a slick stick.
The thing is, as a 17-year-old, Brayden was by far the more physically mature of the two. At 6′0”, and close to 200 pounds, he had been competing at the physical dimensions that won’t be too far off from his NHL body. He may put on 10-20 pounds of muscle, yes, but scouts were able to look at a player who more closely resembles his future NHL self.
Kadri on the other hand stands 5′11”, and had been playing junior with an undeveloped frame at 165 pounds, with very little strength. Sure, you could use those observations to label him as lazy, but Nazem has since been developing his strength and building his body in the image of an NHLer. You could argue that Kadri producing points without the benefit of strength says more for his potential.
Kadri may also be just the type of player the Toronto franchise needs. Year after year, for one to find a Leaf on the list of the league’s leading point-getters, you’d have to scroll down far enough to find Mats Sundin’s usual tally of 78.
One look at Kadri during his recent rookie tournament games hints at his tremendous skill and offensive potential — the type of potential that may one day see him post big numbers.
Of course, if Boyd hadn’t potted three that night and lifted the buds to victory, no one would be complaining about Brayden Schenn in blue and white. However, Brian Burke still managed to leave the 2009 Entry Draft with a potential franchise cornerstone in Kadri.
James Quall Jr. on Mon, 14th Sep 2009 4:52 pm
Hmm, decent points there, but I think you may underestimate Schenn's offensive upside. I see a scenario where Schenn scores 75 points with the Kings at his best, and Kadri scores 85 at his best with the Leafs.
Kadri might score a few more goals than Savard too, but that is yet to be seen….
Calling up Boyd Devereaux was the dumbest move of all time by BB… The guy clearly made his a better PK squad, which I think put us in that position to pick seventh BEFORE the hat trick happened. That, and signing a highly motivated Martin Gerber. I think Burke would have benefitted had he allowed his club to lose…
Matt on Mon, 14th Sep 2009 6:12 pm
I like that Burkie picked up Kadri, but just thinking of what Schenn would have brought to this team makes me so mad that we beat Ottawa that game.
I think Schenn will blossom into top line center. With the skill he already has, he has all the makings of a star
TylerDurden on Tue, 15th Sep 2009 1:05 am
Kadri is the future of Toronto's offense, for now at least. Unless they pick up a sniper like Kessel in the near future, i'd put my money on Kadri.
Really good piece, none the less.
Just my two cents on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 3:20 am
Regarding the draft, it won't matter! Neither will develope in TO. What the leafs need to realize is that they have deep pockets and young "kids" will not develop in the leafs system. The media and fans will not allow it to happen. They need to be more active in trading youth and draft picks for good talent signed for a two or three years. They need guys like Boyd to help balance that cap and yet will sit on the bench and play hard regardless of the situation you put him in.
Just my two cents on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 3:21 am
When you sign your contract as a player it is with the understanding you will play to your highest level possible every game. These guys are where they are because of skill and hard work. Boyd has been this type of player his entire career. Anyone who knows hockey, no not stats and big name players but really understands the game will see that Boyd was a very smart hockey player who worked even harder every shift. I will agree that his physical play and confidence was his weekness but I contribute that from the hit he took in Edmonton.
Just my two cents on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 3:24 am
I have watched him for a number years and the times when he has shed his defensive shell you can see his offensive ability like in game #82. In Detroit he played on the 2 kids and a goat line with Hull and Pavel. This was the second line but if you look at the TOI Pavel was first for forwards followed by Boyd for the year they won the cup. I still think he has much to add on a team like Toronto. Game#82 was not the only time he played well for the leafs. I recall other games, one in particular where he stepped into the game and had a couple goals one in OT that beat Montreal in a game that saw the leafs start to climb up the standings and was also the start of a big fall for the Canadians…Feb 2007.
Just my two cents on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 3:25 am
He played 20 mins that game and for the most part logged 17 to 19 mins per game under Paul M. I have seen more leaf games were he would be the only guy working and yet this is not the guy Burke wants??? This guy has the work ethic and ability to contribute to a winning team. Burke can't build a winning team! He basically took the credit for Murray's work. It was not his decisions that lead to them to the cup. His decisions have lead the Ducks in the opposite direction. I really don't think Burke is all that great. He just has a big bark, I think Kevin Lowe's comments are accurate of Burke.
Kage Ross on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 4:56 pm
Wow thanks to Devereaux, the Leafs look like they got a steal of deal in Nazem Kadri, Leaf fans should thank Devereaux for scoring that hat trick, and not lambasting the poor guy.