Confirmed with Link: Rangers sign Dan Boyle - 2 yrs / $9M ($4.5AAV)

[OverTheCap]

This is a gamble for more offense on the PP and from the blue line in general.

Considering we had 3 defense-first right handed blueliners, this makes sense. Doesn't mean I'm a huge fan of the 2 year term, but it makes sense.

Agreed. I've learned enough through the years to know better than thinking that any one player will be the "answer" on the PP or the PPQB that we have desperately been seeking.

But Boyle should outscore Stralman and he will be used frequently on the PP. The biggest drawback with Stralman is his lack of production and the coaches never really viewed him as a good option on the PP. The Rangers appear to be making a sacrifice in possession in order to get more production out of the blueline - we'll see if it pans out.

 

[Fitzy]

They may be thinking that they can shift Klein up a pairing when trying to kill a game.

Klein can handle a lot of PK minutes, so he'll take over for Anton's.

Boyle will take Broadway Brad's Power Play minutes. He and McDonagh should get a head start on building a rapport, though it may be simply that either of those guys would be better paired with a shooter like John Moore.

We have 2 blueliners who can score 40 points for the first time in a very long time. I don't care for Boyle's play the last 2 seasons but we'll see how it goes, now was as cheap a time as any to pick him up.

 

[Trxjw]

Wonder what the PP shapes up as.

Kreider - Stepan - MSL
McD - Boyle

Nash - Brassard - Zucc
Moore - Girardi

Would be my guess. Never been a fan of Nash in front of the net though.

 

[FOD]

Of course it is, because Slats never offered 5 years to a 27 y/o.

Stralmans deal will be real good at the end of it. Slats has not figured that out...

With the tax situation I think the Rangers would need to pay 5 mil per to keep him. Too much for 5 years.

 

[Zil]

2 years for Skjei to develop

Skjei's a lefty. They have nothing to step in on the right side, unless you count McIlrath.

 

[Doctyl]

Wonder what the PP shapes up as.

Kreider - Stepan - MSL
McD - Boyle

Nash - Brassard - Zucc
Moore - Girardi

Would be my guess. Never been a fan of Nash in front of the net though.

MSL could play point and Hags or someone else could also be on the PP. Just another option

 

[FOD]

They may be thinking that they can shift Klein up a pairing when trying to kill a game.

Klein can handle a lot of PK minutes, so he'll take over for Anton's.

Boyle will take Broadway Brad's Power Play minutes. He and McDonagh should get a head start on building a rapport, though it may be simply that either of those guys would be better paired with a shooter like John Moore.

We have 2 blueliners who can score 40 points for the first time in a very long time. I don't care for Boyle's play the last 2 seasons but we'll see how it goes, now was as cheap a time as any to pick him up.

Yes, I think they move Klein up to the second pairing with Boyle playing with Moore?

 

[Machinehead]

If we wanted a 60 year old to come in and be disappointing on the powerplay, we could have kept Richards. At least then we wouldn't have one of the worst center groups in the league.

 

[ChrisKreider20]

Did Zuccarello go on a drinking binge (and grow a lot)?

 

[doncherrysgrill]

After the Stralman signing, this is significantly worse. I wasn't terribly unhappy with the signing but I'd have been willing to sign Stralman for 4-4.2 and keep him long term rather than have Boyle who can give you MAYBE another a good year. Stralman got less money and is much younger. Would have freed up space for some of the forward RFA's.

 

[StepansLabyrinth]

If we wanted a 60 year old to come in and be disappointing on the powerplay, we could have kept Richards. At least then we wouldn't have one of the worst center groups in the league.

We still don't. Not even close.

 

[Jxmarts]

Why am I having Bryan McCabe & Sandis Ozolinsh flashbacks?

Dont know about Sandis but come on McCabe was a disaster, Boyle isn't that bad.

All 3 were once superior offensive d-men, who were acquired by Sather well beyond their prime to bolster the powerplay. McCabe & Ozolinsh were totally washed up by the time they put on the Ranger sweater. It remains to be seen if Boyle will have enough left to contribute on the PP. I hope he does. But I think he'd be a definite liability if he's asked to do much more than that.

 

[Doctyl]

After the Stralman signing, this is significantly worse. I wasn't terribly unhappy with the signing but I'd have been willing to sign Stralman for 4-4.2 and keep him long term rather than have Boyle who can give you MAYBE another a good year. Stralman got less money and is much younger. Would have freed up space for some of the forward RFA's.

Florida tax breaks roughly equate to 5 mill per. Stralman long term at 5 or Boyle shot term at 4.5. They swapped defense for offense and it's not a long term deal, probably a stop gap until McI is ready.

 

[Ragnarok14]

I have watched a lot of sharks games in the last few years, and this is a good deal. Yes, Boyle has lost a step on his skating, but can still get around well enough. He has a very accurate and decently strong point shot, and a quick wrister that he can pick a spot on! His vision , especially on the PP is exceptional, and he really knows how to put the puck on a stick of a forward. He actually can control the tempo of a PP and is a true qb. His first pass out of the zone is always smart.
Defensively , he is no slouch, but isn't a hitter and definitely can be considered an Offensive first D. His positioning is questionable sometimes.
San Jose has ridden the guy hard, and I think asked too much of him. With 14-18 minutes a night and PP time, I think we will be very happy with his contributions. Also, for those complaining about Stralman: get over it! We already have a D full of defensively responsible , offensively challenged guys. Boyle brings something we desperately need. Klein is Stralman. Same guy. Boyle is instantly the best Offensive D we've had since this Brian guy a while back, and with him and McD on the points, we should see a huge improvement. He should be able to help McD develop even more O instinct too.

 

[Zil]

Correction: Stralman at $4.5M per on par with last request from Rangers.

Larry Brooks
@NYP_Brooksie

This is ****ing ******** we could've kept Stralman. **** you Sather you asshat.

 

[Ragnarok14]

All 3 were once superior offensive d-men, who were acquired by Sather well beyond their prime to bolster the powerplay. McCabe & Ozolinsh were totally washed up by the time they put on the Ranger sweater. It remains to be seen if Boyle will have enough left to contribute on the PP. I hope he does. But I think he'd be a definite liability if he's asked to do much more than that.

Boyle is quite a bit better than ether of those two. He's not a pylon either...

 

[NewLife]

All 3 were once superior offensive d-men, who were acquired by Sather well beyond their prime to bolster the powerplay. McCabe & Ozolinsh were totally washed up by the time they put on the Ranger sweater. It remains to be seen if Boyle will have enough left to contribute on the PP. I hope he does. But I think he'd be a definite liability if he's asked to do much more than that.

I know his well behind his prime, me myself wouldn't have signed him for two million bucks but he isn't that bad.

 

[Doctyl]

This is ****ing ******** we could've kept Stralman. **** you Sather you asshat.

Think about real money post taxes

Significant difference

 

[beastly115]

Don't think this is a bad deal. 2 yrs is not long at all and god knows we need help on our power play. I'm ok with this.

 

[Squeeven]

I'm not gonna lie I have no idea why a lot of you are so pissed at this deal. This is a great signing and Boyle will provide some great leadership to your defense core, provide offense and be a good quarterback for your powerplay. He's still really fast, blocks lots of shots and has good vision. You guys will love Boyle. He even said that after he returned from his injury from that Lapierre hit that he still was feeling it and he played through it and was still playing well. Trust me, this is a good move.

 

[Zil]

Think about real money post taxes

Significant difference

He asked Sather for a $4.5 cap hit. Taxes are irrelevant.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

What did i say it would take to get Stralman signed, over and over and over again.

4.5 x 6

he signs in Tampa for 4.5 x 5

We could have gave him the extra year.

Instead we sign Dan ****ing old 38 year old can't skate Boyle for 4.5.

Sather needs to go.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

I'm not gonna lie I have no idea why a lot of you are so pissed at this deal. This is a great signing and Boyle will provide some great leadership to your defense core, provide offense and be a good quarterback for your powerplay. He's still really fast, blocks lots of shots and has good vision. You guys will love Boyle. He even said that after he returned from his injury from that Lapierre hit that he still was feeling it and he played through it and was still playing well. Trust me, this is a good move.

Do you think he has the legs at this point in his career to play 20 min at a night?

 

[ChrisKreider20]

What did i say it would take to get Stralman signed, over and over and over again.

4.5 x 6

he signs in Tampa for 4.5 x 5

We could have gave him the extra year.

Instead we sign Dan ****ing old 38 year old can't skate Boyle for 4.5.

Sather needs to go.

That 38 year old put up ~25 more points than Stralman. We're building up Stralman way too much. With 13 points, Stralman is no more valuable than Mike Weaver. He is a solid defensively sound defenseman who can make a pass. He is replaceable. Hopefully Dan Boyle can help our powerplay, and while the contract is questionable, signing Stralman for $4.5 would have been stupid.

 

[Fletch]

Do you think he has the legs at this point in his career to play 20 min at a night?

he averaged more than that last season and upped it in the playoffs. Can't say I saw a lot of Sharks games, however, so I can't say if he finished strong or like he was played too much. Think he was around 22 minutes during the regular season and 23 during the playoffs. I'm not one to predict exactly when one can no longer go.