Speculation: Brian Boyle

[BHD]

It's August and Boyle, 34, is without a contract. What's the outlook at this point in his career? What teams could he help?

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[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Expecting him to sign before training camps on teams who have injuries or need depth

 

[themelkman]

Maybe sharks? Could see it but I see us PTOing someone with better legs.

 

[Diaz126025]

If Kreider gets traded and the Rangers have some free cap, I’ll take him 4th line center all day

 

[Jumptheshark]

PTO

 

[Mick Jagr]

Now that we're into August he should easily get a PTO.

 

[AveryStar4Eva]

He was traded for a 2nd a couple months ago so you would think there is a market for him. My guess is he is looking for term and teams want a one year deal.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Maybe he just hasn't decided yet?

 

[Prairie Habs]

Maybe he just hasn't decided yet?

Those tweets are a month old

 

[TropicalFruitGirl2]

Hmmm...maybe the Islanders.
May as well complete the tour of NY-NJ Metro area teams.

Seriously though, would they have room to sign him for a depth bottom six role?
He could shuttle back n forth between the 3rd and 4th line, as a center or wing, depending on need.

Casey Cizikas or Matt Martin usually need some time off for some ailment or the other so he could fill in nicely or spell either of them for a bit if the coach wants to do some sort of rotation.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

I want him on the Isles.

I think he’s waiting for Macavoy and Point to sign and pick between bruins and Tampa

 

[DFC]

How is there not more interest in a guy who can still score 18 goals in the bottom six? Was he otherwise terrible in NJ and Nashville?

 

[Billdo]

How is there not more interest in a guy who can still score 18 goals in the bottom six? Was he otherwise terrible in NJ and Nashville?

No. He was actually pretty solid for NJ. Can't speak for Nash though.

 

[DFC]

No. He was actually pretty solid for NJ. Can't speak for Nash though.

Asking for too much money/term for his age?

 

[DingDongCharlie]

Probably wants a few years of term. Looking for job security as he’s got a young family

 

[Billdo]

Asking for too much money/term for his age?

I'd imagine he's looking for some sort of stability but who knows.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Probably wants a few years of term. Looking for job security as he’s got a young family

He's got a massive family.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

Those tweets are a month old

Yeah, he's not rushing things.

 

[rt]

Want him in Phoenix very badly. I really wish the Coyotes would sign him and give Hayton another year to develop.

 

[TropicalFruitGirl2]

Brian Boyle is still a perfectly viable bottom six C/W.

If he is still without a contract, then it likely isn't because he "can't play" anymore, but as some have speculated, likely because of dollars and term.
Looking at things in a vacuum, he'd be the perfect player on one or two year deals moving forward, but perhaps Boyle sees himself as a guy worthy of more than one or two year deals.
At 34 though, he may be hard pressed to find a team willing to go more than that.
Add in the stability factor for his family and him being a bit picky, and one can see why maybe he hasn't landed on a roster yet.

From a pure playing standpoint, the guy can still check, chip in points, be a leader amongst young teammates, take face offs.... if there IS one knock to his game is that he isn't a particularly good skater...kinda lumbering in fact. He always was kinda that, it is just magnified as he has gotten older.

He isn't a terrible skater, but he definitely would need to be kept away from the opposition's burners....he looks glacial by comparison, although matched up against the other team's 3rd or 4th line grinder types and on the PK, he should be fine.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing him back in TB, but I think the Lightning have their hands full trying to sign guys they already have as it is... Point being number one this year, followed possibly by Adam Erne, but coming up next year will be contracts for Erik Cernak, Anthony Cirelli, Mathieu Joseph, and especially, Mikhail Sergachev.
Sadly, I just don't see room in TB for him.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

Maybe sharks? Could see it but I see us PTOing someone with better legs.

Definitely this. As much as I’d like Boyle, I’d much rather have a similar player with more speed than size. Like a modern day Vermette

 

[Isles72]

he probably weighed the options in early july and nothing appealed to him right off the bat location/money wise . I think we can all agree that he'll find work and he's not quite at that ''camp invite'' stage yet .

 

[Vitto79]

He’s a 4th line C at 1 million now ....I’m sure he’s getting a nhl deal and may even get more money .... so many teams need to sign their RFAs still

 

[pld459666]

Probably wants a few years of term. Looking for job security as he’s got a young family

At this stage of his career, while anything is possible, a multi year deal is probably not in the cards, and if I were his agent, I'd advise him to keep his bags packed as he is a likely trade candidate every February.

Not a knock, actually I look at that as a compliment.

 

[traffic cone]

He’ll get 3 years from a desperate team. That’s why he’s waiting.