Oh, not this stuff again! Boyle is having a slightly sub-par year, especially in relation to the rest of the Sharks' defense, but his skill-set is still so unique that it makes him irreplaceable on this roster. He is vital to the puck possession system that the Sharks play, and those of you that remember what the Sharks' powerplay was before Boyle arrived would shudder at the thought of the return to the days of the Give-it-to-Jumbo-and-watch-him-get-triple teamed-powerplay. Since 2008, Boyle has been the best powerplay QB in the entire NHL, being on the ice for more 5v4 shots and goals than any other player in the league. Not to mention, he is the only Sharks' defenseman capable of jumping deep into the offensive zone with the skills to control the puck and sustain possession. Lastly, this is the Western Conference. You have four dominant puck possession teams. The Sharks are one of them. There is no way that the Sharks are going to be able to upgrade on Boyle's puck-moving skillset by trading him. They are not getting an elite puck-moving defenseman in a deal for Boyle. You cannot tell me with a straight face that you seriously believe that the Sharks stand a chance in hell at beating Chicago or LA in the playoffs with Jason Demers as their best puck-mover on the back end.
They don't stand a chance against Chicago or LA with Boyle playing the way he is now regardless of whether or not Demers has actually surpassed him in this regard.