Despite acquiring his rights from the San Jose Sharks for a conditional fifth round pick less than two weeks ago, New York Islanders GM is reportedly looking to flip the rights to Dan Boyle after unsuccessfully trying to sign him to a contract to play on Long Island.
Boyle, who will be 38 in July, spent parts of six seasons in Tampa Bay and won the Stanley Cup with the Bolts in 2003-04. His name had been briefly linked to the Lightning when he came available the first time earlier this month.
With Sami Salo’s contract expired and holes on the right side of Tampa Bay’s defense group, Boyle is certainly an interesting name for the Lightning to consider:
Only way I’d want Boyle back in TB is if he played very limited minutes as a PP and offensive situation specialist. Would be paid as such.
— Bolt Prospects (@BoltProspects) June 18, 2014
Agent has said Boyle would be interested in reunion with #tblightning, still has home here. Question is if role and $ would be a fit
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) June 18, 2014
So the interest is there: the question, then, becomes about fit, both in terms of dollar and presumed role. Does Boyle want to still be top-4 on a legitimate contender? Or would he accept a lower salary to play as a 6th or 7th defenseman and power play specialist while mentoring the relatively young blue line (now minus Salo).
