New York Islanders looking to trade Boyle’s rights
The New York Islanders were unable to sign soon to be unrestricted free agent Dan Boyle to a contract. After realizing Boyle would not stay with the team, it is being said that general manager Garth Snow is looking to trade the defenseman’s rights.
Isles GM Garth Snow says he's now shopping Dan Boyle's rights, having been unable to sign the pending UFA defenseman...
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 18, 2014
The 37 year old had his rights traded to the Islanders by the San Jose Sharks on June 5 for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2015 drat. The Sharks decided to go a younger route with their roster and knew they weren’t going to keep Boyle in the lineup.
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The Islanders proposed a deal but Boyle is committed to finding a two-year contract somewhere else in the league. Boyle is said to be intrigued by the idea of the Islanders trading his rights, but remains undecided.
"“I don’t know if we’ll get anything done, but we’ll see what’s out there,” Snow said. “We’ve talked to a couple of teams, we’ll see if anything comes to fruition here.”"
Despite not being able to sign Boyle, the deal was worth it as all it cost Snow was a conditional fifth round pick. Nothing major and now the franchise will be able to shop around some more.
Boyle was the Sharks all time leader in goals, assists and points by a defenseman with 68, 201 and 269 respectively. Over the course of the 2013-14 season, he had 12 goals and 36 points throughout 75 games. He also had four assists during the postseason.
Prior to playing with the Sharks, Boyle was a member of both the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightening.
Boyle is headed to UFA July 1 if nothing can be traded and one has to expect that he is looking for a team that has greater odds to win.