Lightning Re-Sign Dan Boyle

[Thrillhouse]

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Dan Boyle to a six-year contract extension today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced.

"We are extremely pleased to have Dan back in the fold for the next six years,” Feaster said. “Our team and our fans have been able to witness first-hand, during Dan's injury and recovery, how tough it is to win without Dan in our line-up. As John Tortorella has consistently said, Danny is the player that makes our offense go from the back end, and this signing demonstrates the commitment of current and prospective ownership to ice a championship caliber team in Tampa."

"I am grateful that we were able to get the deal done today," said Boyle. "I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish here in Tampa over the past few years, including winning the Stanley Cup. And while this year may not have gone the way we have liked to this point, I am confident we can return to those winning ways very quickly. Otherwise, I would not have made the commitment to stay with the Lightning."

Boyle, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, was selected to the NHL’s Post-Season Second All-Star Team in 2006-07 after setting a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a season with 20. He ranked fourth on the Lightning in points (63), goals (20), assists (43) and power-play goals (10). His 63 points were the second most all-time by a Tampa Bay defenseman in a season.

Considered one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the league, Boyle has played in 503 NHL games with the Lightning and the Florida Panthers with 75 career goals, 278 points, 33 power play goals and 13 game-winning goals. He has played in 374 games for Tampa Bay, recording 65 goals, 239 points, 30 power play goals and 12 game-winning goals. Boyle needs one goal to become the Lightning’s all-time leader in goals by a defenseman with 66 (Pavel Kubina, 65). He ranks 13th on the franchise list in games played, eighth in points, sixth in assists, and seventh in power play goals.

Boyle, in his sixth season with Tampa Bay, won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2003-04 and played in all 23 games en route to his first championship. He scored two goals and recorded 10 points in those games. He was selected to the taxi squad for the 2006 Canadian Olympic Team.

The 5-foot-11, 184-pound defenseman has three goals and 11 points in 17 games with the Lightning this season. He missed 45 games earlier this season following wrist surgery. He has one multi-goal game and three multi-point games since his return. He has averaged 27:34 of ice time per game this season, including playing more than 30 minutes in five games since returning.

Boyle was acquired from Florida on January 7, 2002 in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was originally signed by Florida as an undrafted free agent on March 30, 1998.

[Humpzilla]

Nice to see Boyle got his money. Hopefully this'll provide a little bit of happiness for the Bay area.

Bye, bye Brad...

[Isles4life]

Wow! I didn't think Boyle would get inked by Tampa. That's a lot of money, so I guess Richards is definitely heading out now. I wonder where. Nice to see things finally getting interesting tonight.

[Sam1410]

Man, that is a lot of money for a guy that is 31 and will be 38 when the contract ends.....

Tampa isn't afraid to throw huge salaries at guys as Richards knows, but I don't see Boyle getting more than Phaneuf, Rafalski, Pronger, and just a little under Neidermayer.

He's a good D and helped them win the cup, but $6.67 million is a lot for a guy that isn't an allstar fixture IMO.

[canuckfan]

Thats a lot of money for a guy like Boyle. I'm not to sure about this signing - 5 million/year would have been too much, but 6.6? Yikes. But he is an offensive threat back there, they just need someone dependable as a defence partner to back him up in his own zone.

Anyhow, this should pretty much settle Brad Richards situation - can't keep all those massive salaries around. Lets see what the Bolts can get for him.

[JKidd]

Very good resigning by the Bolts. Boyle is definitely the guy I would have taken over Richards.

I guess that means JM Liles, Brian Campbell and Adam Foote are the blue liners left.

[bengino]

so they have how much planted in 4 players right now?? Resigning Vinny for life, will require some astute trading. Prospal was the first step, now Richards is the next on the chopping block, but his 7.6 mill contract is a big one to take on for any one team...

[Canada1]

good move. i thought that they shouldve kept him

[Janssen25]

Boyle is a solid player, I just wonder if this deal was too lucrative for a player of his caliber. Time will tell.

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by Sam1410

Man, that is a lot of money for a guy that is 31 and will be 38 when the contract ends.....

Tampa isn't afraid to throw huge salaries at guys as Richards knows, but I don't see Boyle getting more than Phaneuf, Rafalski, Pronger, and just a little under Neidermayer.

He's a good D and helped them win the cup, but $6.67 million is a lot for a guy that isn't an allstar fixture IMO.

I agree 100% but it just shows how sh*tty today's defensman are. Totally lacking in skills and being all around players. Boyle is a number 2 defensman at best and has some skills but is not 25 and that is a lot of dough! With so few decent defenseman around, he was in the drivers seat!
It's like pitching in baseball, win 12 games and you can make 12 million a year! Is it ridiculous, sure it is but supply is lacking and bring me the green!
Good for Boyle!