Report: Rangers Among Teams Interested In Veteran Defenseman Boyle

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Islanders tried, but it might end up being the Rangers who seal the deal.

According to ESPN, the Blueshirts are interested in signing veteran defenseman Dan Boyle, whose rights are currently owned by the Isles following a trade with San Jose a few weeks ago.

Boyle was acquired by the Islanders on June 5 for a conditional fifth round pick in this weekend's draft. Though Boyle's agent said his client hadn't ruled out the Isles, it became evident as the weeks went by that he did not intend to sign with them and would explore the free agency signing period, which opens on July 1.

Islanders general manager Garth Snow admitted last week that he was actively looking to flip Boyle's rights to another team to recoup the draft pick, but as of Tuesday had been unable to.

The Rangers seem like a logical landing spot for Boyle because he reportedly wants to play for a team that can challenge for a Stanley Cup championship. The Rangers just lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games in the cup finals, and would have an opening along their blue line if Anton Stralman departs through free agency.

The Maple Leafs have been thought to have serious interest in Boyle for some time.

Following their seven-game loss to the Kings in the first round of the playoffs, the Sharks announced that Boyle, who will turn 38 in July, would not be re-signed. The 2013-14 season marked the final year of the six-year, $40 million deal he signed prior to the 2008-09 season.

Boyle led all San Jose defensemen in scoring last season, registering 36 points, including 12 goals, in 75 games. He added four assists in the playoff series against Los Angeles.

In 954 career regular season NHL games with the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and San Jose, Boyle has 561 points (144 goals, 417 assists). He is ranked 46th all-time in scoring among NHL defenseman and is fourth among activedefensemen. Boyle has appeared in at least 75 games in nine of the last 10 full NHL seasons.

During his 15-year NHL career, Boyle, a two-time All-Star, has 70 points (14 goals, 56 assists) in 107 career playoff games. He was a member of the Stanley Cup champion Lightning in 2004 and won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver with Team Canada.

At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Boyle figures to be a top four pairing blueliner who would get a lot of minutes on the power play.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories