Hartnett: Boyle Hopes To Go Out A Winner And Just 'One Of The Guys'

By Sean Hartnett
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Dan Boyle is savoring every moment of what is possibly his final ride.

"It's early in the year, there's a lot of games left, but I am trying to enjoy the moment," the Rangers' 39-year-old defenseman told WFAN.com in an exclusive interview. "Obviously, it's been a winning season so far. We've got a long way to go. So far, so good. I think we have good depth and good balance on this team. Maybe on some nights, we're not playing at our best, but we're finding ways to win and I think that's the sign of a good team."

Don't let his graying beard or intense on-ice glare fool you. Although the 17-year NHL veteran is an elder statesmen for the Rangers, he just wants to be remembered an approachable teammate who helped make a difference in the careers of youngsters wishing to learn the ropes of "the life."

"Hopefully, they appreciate that I'm one of the guys even though I'm 15 years older than some of these guys. I'm just one of the boys, and hopefully they appreciate that about me," Boyle said. "I'm not a big rah-rah vocal guy in front of the whole locker room, but I like to connect one-on-one at dinner with certain guys. Hopefully, I've helped some people along the way. That's one of those things when you're young; an older guy can help you and vice-versa. You've got to give back."

Teammate Emerson Etem has just started his first season with the Blueshirts, and prior to Derek Stepan's long-term rib injury was fighting for his place in head coach Alain Vigneault's lineup. The 23-year-old winger appreciates the professional example Boyle has set while dealing with the challenge of competing to be one of six dressed defensemen.

"He's been in the league this long and had success for a reason," Etem said. "He fights through adversity. Whether he's in or out of the lineup, he handles it better than anyone I've seen. He's an awesome guy and a guy I can learn from."

Boyle, a savvy puck-moving defenseman, typically plays in excess of 75 games per season. So far this season his ice time has been managed by Vigneault, as he's playing less than 20 minutes per game for the first time since 2001-02. He has been a healthy scratch in six games as the Rangers have started 17-6-2.

But when he's in the lineup, Boyle makes weighty contributions by rushing the puck up ice and orchestrating in the offensive zone. After being scratched in consecutive games, the right-handed rearguard was a difference-maker in Monday's 4-3 home victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Boyle demonstrated his smarts on a successful late-first period power play by moving into open space without the puck and dishing off a one-touch feed to goal-scorer Oscar Lindberg. Boyle also played an active role in Mats Zuccarello's earlier power play goal, though he was not credited with an assist.

"You can see the difference right away," captain Ryan McDonagh said of Boyle's ability on the man advantage. "Obviously, his calmness when he has the puck. He's so good at anticipating his next play there -- on the forehand, on his off-wing spot like that. He can shoot the puck really well, he can pass the puck really well -- he takes what's given. If they give him a guy to pass to, he gives it to him there on Oscar's goal. It's great to see him be able to step in and not miss a beat there."

Boyle finished the night with one assist, two shots on goal, two hits, two blocked shots, and a plus-2 rating in 23:17 of ice time. More importantly, he was able to assume heavy minutes and played an effective, energetic game in all three zones after a strained abdominal muscle limited fellow right-handed defenseman Kevin Klein to 2:22 of ice time.

"(Boyle) was just great out there," Etem said. "You saw first-hand tonight what the guy can do. He made sure that when he was in tonight, he helped the team in any way he could. It was a big presence by him."

Self-motivation is the key to Boyle remaining a productive defenseman at an advanced hockey age. He will turn 40 on July 12, shortly after his $4.5 million contract expires.

"I don't need another teammate or a coach to challenge me," Boyle said. "I do plenty of it. I'm always looking to be as good as I can be. Whether I was 18, or in college, or now at 39 – it doesn't matter. I'm always looking to get better, be better and do what I can to help my team win."

Clearly, Boyle is striking the right balance between pushing himself hard and openly appreciating what is in all likelihood his final NHL go-around. Fan opinion was split last season after he endured an injury-plagued first regular season with the Rangers before recording 10 points in 19 playoff games.

Fans should come to appreciate Boyle's skill, creativity and determination. Before you know it, he'll be gone.

Follow Sean on Twitter at @HartnettHockey