Lightning signs Boyle

The Lightning on Monday night signed defenseman Dan Boyle to a six-year deal thought to be worth $40-million. The contract will pay $6.67-million in each season.

"It feels good,'' Boyle said. "It just happened 20 minutes ago, so I'm going through a lot of emotions. I'm happy. I want to win. I'm anxious to turn this thing around.''

"A huge relief,'' GM Jay Feaster said.

The thing that I really liked listening to Boyle was how he was wrestling with his emotions. He certainly was happy to have the deal. But he said it just didn't seem right to celebrate with the team in last place.

"I'm happy, but it's bittersweet,'' Boyle said. "I want to win. feel bad celebrating this when our team is sitting in last place. I don't know if that's right. It's just the way I am.''

Comments

[ouruser]

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[Old School Robbie Z]

This is great news for the Lightning - AND - the fans. Looking into other recent defensemen long-term signings of players (of similar but different talent):

Zdeno Chara - 7.5MM
Kimmo Timonen - Avg 6.33MM
Ed Jovanovski - 6.5MM
Dan Boyle - 6.67MM

No player in the league is comparable to Chara's style - and I'd pawn the farm for him. However, as talented as they are, would any of us prefer Timonen - or Jovanovski at a slight discount? Not I.

What isn't fair and has to stop is comparing Boyle's contract to the likes of Neidermayer or Lidstrom:(wiki quotes)

"On August 4, 2005, Niedermayer was signed by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as a free agent. It was reported that New Jersey offered him more money to re-sign with them than he received at Anaheim, but his desire to play alongside his brother Rob outweighed the financial advantages." (remember that he also just plain sat out 1/3 of this season)

"Lidström was set to make $10 million during the 2005-06 season, but because of the new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement created in July 2006, salaries on pre-existing contracts were reduced by 24%, which lowered his compensation to $7.6 million."

These "asterisks" are what helps contribute to what should be considered the best deals in hockey. They are totally outside the norm and have to be recognized as such. Unless any of us have talked with Dan personally, we really can't quantify what type of "discount" he owes us.

Sure, you can certainly come up with examples of defensemen that are outperforming their contract: Gonchar (age 33 and always underappreciated) and Zidlicky (3.5MM- which is more than what Boyle gets now). However, there are bunches that are underperforming - including a certain former Lightning alumni bleeding Toronto dry.

Since it is popular to crucify Feaster, I'll agree that the deal is a year too long. But you know, I'll be more than happy to slap down my $200 knowing that I'll be wearing #22 for another six years.

Glad to keep you on, Dan! Great to reward a leader who truly plays "Lightning Hockey".

Now to our first offseason "need"...if we can please sign someone in the offseason that has a better fit for a vacant "A" or "C" on their jersey(God bless you Tim)...now that is big missing cog.

[Nils]

Here's Spector's analysis:

"In re-signing Boyle, however, the Lightning need to free up cap space to absorb his salary, especially with incoming ownership rumored to be slashing payroll for next season, and it’s widely expected the Bolts could shop forward Brad Richards and his $7.8 million per season contract.

Richards could be dealt at the trade deadline or this summer, depending on how much pressure management is placed under by ownership to move him. "

[sandy]

THANK GOD! this is the best news I've heard in a long time that Dan has been signed.
He is the DEFENSE for theLightning. The others are just Not experienced enough yet. CONGRATS DAN!!!

[Jay Feaster]

Brule, Fritsche, and Tollefsen for Brad Richards?
Throw in a big bag of Funions and it's a deal!

[Boltz25]

Keep Richey and get an "A" goalie? What are you on JME? Where did all of this money come from? Not even sure why I am commenting on your post....sheer boredom makes me do strange things.

[David]

Well with this 6.6 million bucks, I hope the difference between that and Richards contract, 1.2 million can be used to buy a big bag of magic goalie pixie dust to sprinkle on Homer, Ramo and Denis because that's about the only kind of tier 1 goalie 1.2 million bucks is gonna get us.

Everyone clap your hands and say I believe in tier 1 goalies.

[JME]

Good! Boyle is back.Without a good puck carrying D-man (not yet for O'Brien)you are in deep trouble. Keep Richey and go for an A goalie in July. Mike Smith (Dallas)rumors are ridiculous. There must be a lot more to give up on Brad. If Vinny4 goes, then my season ticket money goes Mr. Saw!

[Nils]

From the Columbus Dispatch:

"Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets remain in pursuit of Richards, a No. 1 center who would fit nicely beside Jackets left winger Rick Nash.

The Blue Jackets, according to multiple NHL sources, have offered forwards Gilbert Brule and Dan Fritsche and defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to the Lightning for Richards, 27, a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoffs MVP.

Howson and Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster were planning to talk this afternoon.

The Lightning are also weighing offers for Richards from Chicago, Vancouver and Dallas, sources say.

Richards, whose contract will pay him $7.8 million through 2010-11, told reporters in Tampa Bay this morning that he had not been asked by Feaster to waive his no-trade clause.

It's unclear whether Richards would waive his no-trade clause to come to the Blue Jackets, who have never made the playoffs. Richards has a relationship with Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, having played under Hitchcock in international competitions."

[Michael]

Keep in mind, EVERYTHING that we have been reading and hearing said that Boyle should get well over $7 million per year. So, with the "Home team discount," $6.6 million isnt bad for a defneseman that last year, was one of only 2 d-men to score 20 or more goals. And he might not be a shut down defenseman, but he is supprisingly good defensively for an offensive defenseman. You people were saying that the HAD TO AT ANY COST re-sign Dan Boyle. Then they do it, and you say it cost to much? This is like when the Buccaneers got Jeff Garcia last off-season. Everyone was like, "Yeah, lets get him. This is going to be GREAT." Then, as soon as he signs, "What were the Bucs thinking. Gruden is an idiot." Make up your minds, and when the team does what you want it to do, dont complain. You know, they could have just let Boyle go, and then we would be without a forward who scored 29 goals,(Vinny Prospal), one who scored 26 a few years ago, and 25 last season,(Brad Richards), and a defenseman that scored 20 goals,(Dan Boyle). For a team that dosnt have enought balanced scoring with those guys, how would you like to have lost Boyle, and just had Marty and Vinny4, both of whom are in prolonged slumps?

[slapshot]

I think the lightning should have got more from the prospal trade. Maybe add Jeff carter in there, who the flyers were trying to trade.Well, anyways I hope that we get prospal back in free agentcy. Also the signing off boyle means richards is gone. I heard Columbus was willing to give up Klesla, Brule or Brassard, and a first round draft pick for richards. Well, we alredy got a defensemen, but the young talent and the draft pick is what the lightning need. Dallas, vancover and now chicago are also very intested in richards too. Thet have been intrested in him for a while. How about richards and holmqvist go to dallas for turco and jokinen. doesn't that sound nice. Well now that we all know that richards is gone and prospal going to philly, the lightning are in big need of offence.

[Speedo the Alka Seltzer Boy]

Flyers were logjammed on defense. Even the $2M Denis Gauthier had to play cross town.

[tk]

well good work lightning deal away the players who are doing something now.... riche is gone. hlavac is gone. gratton is gone. homer is gone. we are going to have a whole new team again next year.... more talk about vinny l. to montreal. we would need ryder, higgins, huet, and a first round pick atleast for him.

[ajax]

Man, a zillion hits in seconds. Quick thought. If they trade Boyle, they basically say goodbye to VL4. They couldn't possibly want to see those dominos fall. One huge piece to the puzzle, 19 hours of pins and needles.
My thinking on Prospal deal was this. Everyone knows his mindset and I am sure everyone is giving lots of credit to his points this year to his brothers in crime. He will immediately go down to line two for any other team.
Not the worse thing that ever happen to Tampa Bay. This kid for Philly, they were so high on him on Versus then I see he played 4 games this year. What were they smoking?

[Lisa]

Glad to see Boyle re-sign with the team. Hopefully, in the off season, we can sign Vinny to a long term extension and work on fixin this ship.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

Good news for Boyle very dumb news about Prospal. Prospal could have been traded for alot more. Fester is stupid and he makes me sick. Picard is a nobody or he'd be playing for the Flyers not the Phantoms. We don't need rookies and defensive prospects, we have plenty of rookie defenders that's why we suck. We need a goal tender and scoring depth and experienced defenders. Fester needs to take a long walk off a short pier in Bradenton some where and keep swimming west.

[The Shrink]

"I see a class action lawsuit in the future. If this were a public company, the SEC would launch an investigation and they would be sued for malfeasance."

Posted by: *** | February 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM

Son, come see me. We need to discuss the difference between your perception and reality!

[jr]

I sure as heck want Boyle's agent representing me. Of course dealing with someone like Jay Feaster helps. :))

[ZG]

From NY:

Lundqvist>Boyal
Lundqvist's Dollars = Boyles Dollars.

[Katrina]

I'll miss Vaclav Prospal, he always tried every game. Hope he does well in Phily. Too bad.

[Boltz25]

Guys on VS believe both of these moves were great moves, and will get the blue line in shape. Let's hope they are right.

[tony n]

Not sure how anyone can say he would have taken less to stay here. In case you did not notice Ownership is about to change and NOTHING is certain about the future of this team. As soon as OK has complete control JF and Torts COULD be gone and we could be the next trap team in the NHL.

Just like with B19 a team would have paid Boyle that and more on the free agent market. Puck moving defenseman are some of the hardest players to acquire in the NHL. That and a #1 goalie.

[Nils]

This is how the Rangers, who expressed the most interest in Boyle of any team, feel about him:

"The feeling around the league is that Dan Boyle either will re-sign with the Lightning before the deadline or re-up with Tampa Bay after the season. The Rangers have expressed interest but have little interest in signing a 31-year-old offensive defenseman who is not on the Niedermayer or Lidstrom level to a six-year contract at $6.5 million or more a year.

"They’d rather re-sign Michal Rozsival, who is better in his own zone, for about $5 million per and continue to develop their impressive stable of young defensemen."

[ajax]

He is a difference maker for our club. I agree a bit higher than I expected but what if we read we let him go for 400k a year? One question mark answered, bunch more in the next months. But good start!!! When he is at 27 minutes a night then we will have something cooking. I sure hope they have the Richards deal almost inked, because if we "know" he has to be traded, so does every other GM on the planet. If this somehow screws up the Richards deal I will have heartburn for the rest of my life.(yes, I need my rosies but we are dealing with Feaster gang) This might answer some other questions as well. If they (new owners) were going el cheapo that sure throws a monkey wrench into that theory. Great news for you and me. The only thing that could be bad is if they signed him only to trade him. But that would just start another 200 blogs to see what we would get for Boyle. Let's hope this is not the case.
Prospal traded to Flyers

[weezer]

Wow, a top 6 defenseman!!! We can pair him with Lundin.

[Boltz25]

You make a great point Nils, and viewed from that angle, perhaps they paid a little more than they had to. However, he is a premier D-man, and 3-4 years down the road, this contract won't be that bad due to the continual expansion of the cap (supposing we get some good ownership who will spend to it). But you may have to look at it like this, with Prospal gone, and Richards on the way as well; had they let Boyle get away, V4 would have undoubtedly followed.

[Mike13]

As much as I would like to agree Nils, obviously he wouldn't take less. I doubt that they came into the negotiations with that kind of number.

As for the Prospal deal. I guess he at least got something for a guy who was on his way out.

[***]

I see a class action lawsuit in the future. If this were a public company, the SEC would launch an investigation and they would be sued for malfeasance.

[Mike13]

Here's some info on Picard:

NHL stats: 72 GP, 3 G, 19 A, -24

Per TSN's Scouting Report:

Assets: Has poise and maturity with and without the puck. Can be a factor in all three zones and already displays consistency in his overall play.

Flaws: Needs to do a better job of keeping opposing forwards honest with more physical play. May not put up big offensive totals in the NHL.

Career potential: Top six defenseman.

[Nils]

Again you've got to ask, Bolts 25, what he would have gotten in the open market. I think what the Lightning gave him would have been a top dollar offer from some other club. He would have taken less to stay here because of his fiance and familiairty with the area.

[David]

I feel sick.

Feaster once again panics trying to keep a player and way overpays and gives a contract for too long. He just doesn't get the new economics.

He's a great puck mover, but a poor defensive defenseman.

[Boltz25]

Respectfully, I have to disagree with you guys about Boyler's contract being too much or too long. The guy has been injury free for almost his entire career (freak accident doesn't really count), and hockey players tend to play alot longer than those in football. He is a premier defenseman, who makes an occasional bad decision, but truly ignites the offense. And yes, I would take Boyle over Neidermeyer any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

[tundo]

At least 8M. I would give him 9M, he is easily worth it. But our organization is cheap...

[tundo]

Feaster must want to go to bed early tonight...lazy...

[chris]

Vinny for 8 million. LOL.

[chris]

Vinny for 8 million. LOL.

[jr]

Right,,,completely overpaid. Will never get it right. He would have taken less. Length of contract questionabale too.

[harvey]

we get alexandre picard (young d-man) & contitional 09 pick.

[Mike13]

Either that or Koules' budget is much more than $42M.

So the salary cap hit for Boyle's $40M deal is about $6.67M per year.

Here are the salaries of some of the top d-men for 08-09...

Lidstrom: 7.45
Pronger: 6.25
Rafalski: 6.00
Niedermayer: 6.75
Gonchar: 6.00
Schneider: 5.75

Boyle = Neidermayer? Um, I like Boyle, but Neidermayer he is not.

Overpaid, once again.

[Boltz25]

for a 2nd or 3rd pick in 09 and D-man Alexander Picard

[bingo]

Guess we see how cheap the next owner is going to be...... nice contract for boyle he will be traded in the morning for Norrena along with Richie for the skate man Modin....

[tundo]

After Richards is dealt and after this deal takes place, that leaves us with a surplus of 4.5 million, not counting what Richards brings in return. Re-sign Vinny to 8M per year for as long as he will sign on for. That leaves about 3.5 left.

All of our problems would be solved if we would just spend 54M next year, like we should be. If we spend near the bottom of the league on payroll, guess where we are going to end up?

[Boltz25]

Hate to see that, particularly based on the fact that I hate all things Philly, particularly the Flyers. Thanks for the effort Prospal.

[harvey]

prospal traded to philly

[jr]

The best thing about that rather frothy deal is that it shows a committment to V4.

[Boltz25]

Prospal is gone to the Flyers!

[Too Much!]

6.6mil for 6 years for a very soon to be 32 yr old? Good God that's a bunch.

Good for Dan I guess.

Now..........for the remainder of the show..........

[Nils]

What a joke!! He would have taken less to stay in Tampa. No on e was going to give him that kind of contract.

[tundo]

Eh, I think it is a bit much, but that is the going rate for elite puck movers I guess...

[Boltz25]

I have to agree Wiggy, the inevitable unloading of Richie and his contract is mere hours away. There is also about to be breaking news on VS. about the Flyers picking up a forward...Brad maybe?