Boyle decision likely on July 4

George Bazos, agent for Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle, said Thursday night that his client likely will wait for Friday before making a decision on whether to waive his no-trade clause. Tampa Bay had asked the puck-moving defenseman to waive the clause in order to facilitate a move that would help the Lightning clear some salary cap space.

"We've been in communication," Bazos said of Boyle's camp and the Lightning. "Everybody understands everybody's position. Dan is going to think about things tonight. We will have further discussions (Friday) to find what is the best option for Dan."

Said Lightning owner Len Barrie: "We're working closely with Dan on trying to make this work on both sides. Dan has been a great player for the organization, but sometimes we have to make tough decisions. The good news for Dan is he has an opportunity to get into some great situations."

It appears three teams remain in the serious running: The Sharks apparently are the front-runners while the Canucks and Thrashers are still mounting charges. Apparently Senators GM Bryan Murray wasn't kidding when he told the Ottawa Citizen he did not think he could muster enough in trade to make it worth the Lightning's while.

 

   

Comments

[BW Galle]

I love the new ownership’s handling of Boyle. THe signed him before th Bolts had to dump him at trade deadline and before he could go free agency on them.

They threw way to much cash at him and to long a contract, but then they got rid of all this and got potential good defensemen in return.

We will see how good Boyle is in SJ. He did not do anything for Panthers and SJ does not need a goal happy defensemen with the offfense they have.

The new ownership was brillant in manipulating Boyle and his long-term liability!

[TJ]

I'm not ready to condemn OK hockey, just yet anyway. We don't know what's really happening, just what we can speculate and what is reported (lots of it very inaccurate) in the media. We don't really know what else the team has in the cooker right now. More assets will be moved, some whether we like it or not. It's like a chess game where one move sets up another move then another. I agree that trading Danny Boyle is a tough pill to swallow (for me anyway), but I am inclined to do as others suggested and wait and see what happens over the next couple of months.

Thanks Cleo for that TSN tidbit, check out this response: "GREAT TRADE FOR TAMPA!!! WOW... boyle makes big money and is an ALRIGHT defenceman but Carle has so much more upside to him AS WELL as a 1st rounder!!! Completely impressed with this trade from Tampa's side... San Jose got hosed!"

That makes me feel a little better, because I was not that happy to see them kicking Boyle off the bus. Wonder if Koules knew of this potential deal when he drafted Carle's brother who can never play hockey again.

BTW Cleo it's "We've been over this ad nauseam", not ad nauseum - we've been over this 7000 times, just kidding :) thanks again for posting the link

[Geografer]

So I guess the plan is to play 5 forwards. Boyle and Lukowich??? For Carle (he had 2 goals last year)!!
Good to know that OK is as nuts as everyone was afraid they were coming in.

Wow that was quick. It's still early on the west coast 7:30am

[Mike13]

I'm hoping the prospect is one of these guys: Logan Couture, Jamie McGinn, or Ty Wishart. They are all pretty well rated prospects.

[Mike13]

You are on the ball today Cleo. And that story is being reporting by Dreger, one of the most respected Hockey journalists out there.

I wonder who the prospect is.

Somebody nailed it the other day, saying that it would be San Jose and that Matt Carle would be part of the deal (due to Koules being very familiar with that family --see drafting David Carle).

[Mike13]

There's no way we get Bouwmeester. He's going to be just as expensive as Danny and that would conflict with the "shedding payroll" excuse they are currently using.

[Cleo]

TSN is reporting it's a done deal. Boyle and Lukowich to San Jose for Carle, a prospect, a first and a fourth

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242464&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

[jhkyref]

My thinking is we may totally be suprised with whom OK is dealing with. It might be a team that hasn't even been mentioned in the press. How many times does that happen? Everyone talks about this team and that team and the trade comes from nowhere. Do we really know where Dan would be willing to go? He has his pick at this point.

[Bear]

I bet Boyle tells them he's stayin.
His call/

[Don in St. Pete]

Here's the only update i could find anywhere on the web. TSN is not known for their accuracy, but at this stage of the game it's not a national holiday up there like it is down here. Could be interesting.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242464&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main

I'm hoping this would meand Edler if it's the Canucks.

[Don in St. Pete]

I'm in agreement with Bill on this one. There's a lot of time before camp and there are definitely some assets that will need to be moved and more support players signed to 2-way contracts as insurance at Norfolk.

[Jim-NJ]

Boyle trusted these guys to live up to their end of the bargain and was lied to. Same guys said they'd keep the team in Tampa. But in the end, it's "business"

[Bill Berg]

We can all have our opinions and I believe all of us supporters of the BOLTS have different ideas of each player but we do not know where the owners are going on this issue until a trade is made or if he stays does V4 have to go!That would be the WORST! OK has done a great job so far and we the fans and supporters must put our faith in OK as where did we end up last year #30. If Boyle goes they still must shed some payroll as BOLTS have too many players signed to one way contracts! So, lets give OK the benefit at this time and see where they stand on Sept 1st going into camp!

[Remember]

Does anyone think we could get Boumeester cuz i think hes resricted but can you trade for a resricted guy with players instead of draft picks?

Maybe package a luckowich, Jokinen, Darche?

[Don in St. Pete]

I'm not sure we want Bieksa. He was a -13 on a team that was a lot better than ours. Salo and Edler would be nice, but we also shouldn't give up Ouellet. I sure hope they don't blow this one for the sake of trading Boyle.

[Ray]

Great day for Boyler to get his Independence. Great having you here Danny and good luck!

[Bee]

ANT? Say what?!

Bieksa is making $4.25m this coming year and $3.5 for the following 2 years. Please do your homework.

Boyle's is $6.667 each year for the remainder of his contract.

At worst, this would be a straight up trade for TBL to save $2.5m. Keep in mind, if it goes to waivers they get nothing. This trade should favour the team absorbing a 6 year contract. Some D-Men are good at 38 but a lot aren't. Most likely, this could be for draft picks and a prospect.

I could see Vancouver offering Edler and a second round pick or Schneider and a 4th rounder.

[Elwood]

After Boyle is gone, I hope we can flip some guys for Bouwmeester.

[ajax]

As much as we all hate Ottawa, they have been brilliantly managed for a long long time, hence they aren't throwing their team/payroll in disarray for Danny. Between you and me, I think Ottawa is suffering just a bit from having 3 forwards taking up a huge amount of their payroll (sound familiar) San Jose on the other hand is cash rich and is probably desperate to give their fans some good news. This should be excellant for us if handled correctly. But, all that is fine, but at the end of the day we are still weak on D. I look at Detroit and Anaheim and see how strong they are on D and can't figure out this obsession with forwards. Anyone notice we went the forward route after winning the cup and it was a total failure.
My two cents, but Feaster and Torts were all over the Boyle contract. Koules made no bones about it that he didn't like Boyle's contract. Feaster will forever be associated with contracts that were over paid and over length. Even going back to Marty's and Vinnie's big contracts their was about a 8 minute negotiation and a blank check. I doubt if you ever see Jay Feaster as GM of an NHL team again. I would be shocked.
Boyle is as good as gone and I hope some other crazy team gives us a boat load. I for one only have to think back of Richie and his 7.8 large. I think we got the deal of the century for him because Brett Hull loved Richie. I have my fingers crossed that we will get the same bonanza for Boyle. I will be dissappointed if a big part of the trade involves future draft picks. That will be a loss for us. I have a feeling that by Monday or Tuesday the dust will settle and Danny will be gone. I like Boyle, I love Boyle but his contract was way to long for a player his age. 9 years for VL4 is to long by the way.
Come on Koules get us two or three more solid NHL players for one Dan Boyle and no matter how loyal I am to Danny it will help our club gang.

[Seamus]

Since we pillaged Pittsburgh, I shouldn't be too surprised if the Boyle's telephone rings tonight with Cindy Crosby on the other end.

[Cleo]

T. Mike, I'd take Erhoff, Rivet and a pick for Boyle and Kuba and never look back. I can't imagine that Atlanta is even in the running, they have nothing to offer, they're not going to give up Enstrom, and they only have 5 d on the roster as it is. Sure they'd love Boyle, but I don't see him waiving the NTC to go there.

[Ant]

Proposal:

To TAM:
Bieksa - $500k
Salo - $3mil
Total Cap - $3.5mil

To VAN:
Boyle - $6.6mil
Oullet - $1.3
Total Cap - $7.9

Tampa gets a top pair tough guy and a solid blueline vet. And sheds $4.4mil.

Vancouver gets Boyle and a 2nd or 3rd line winger.

[Tallahassee Mike]

Apparently Ottawa is totally out of the picture...a shame. I'd love to get Volchenkov or Phillips, and seeing Boyle go home would lessen the blow.

I'd hate to see Atlanta get him, but if they do I want Enstrum. I also wouldn't mind getting Havelid to mentor the young defense. Basically I want two bodies or one and a high draft pick for Boyle.

As for Vancouver, they don't have much to offer in terms of defense. Ohlund or Salo would be appealing but I'd rather get a draft pick.

[Tallahassee Mike]

I think Ehrhoff is more promising than Carle. McLauren is a little older but more of a stay-at-home kind of guy so I wouldn't be opposed to getting him. I'm assuming you mean Kuba instead of Boyle stepping up his game? If Kuba can step it up then he'll be worth his contract. He hasn't really done well in Torts' system but he was an all-star in defensive Minnesota, and Melrose definitely emphasizes defense.

[Don in St. Pete]

TM, You must be reading my intel! I'd ask for Ehrhoff and NcLaren and maybe try to sign McCarthy or Johanssen as back up in case Niskala can't handle the load. Ask Boyle and Ranger to step up their game like the did the first 45 games last year and we're in good position.

[Tallahassee Mike]

Sharks are definitely still the favorites for Boyle. I heard Carle's name tossed around as well; he's good but he's no replacement for Boyle. His numbers were way down last year.

How about Boyle and Kuba for Ehrhoff, Carle, and a second rounder in 2009? Any chance we score Rivet? Would we even want him?

[j]

Don, I agree that they should have re-signed Gratton to play on that third line until Halpern came back. Although, I think Craig could do a good job on that line until halpern gets back too...signing Hall was pointless. Either way, if they were going to keep darsch and ouellette, I don't think we'd have like 18 forwards on the roster right now.

[léo]

Like I said, Don,
If you get a Blake or a Regehr back for Boyle, ok; if the contract's less expensive to boot, fine.
But the truth is, teams who have those type of defensemen tend to keep them unless they get something BETTER in return. Besides, one-for-one, why do that? You're dropping a guy who is intimately acquainted with the proceedings of the team for another of equal talent who ain't.
Now, if you get a Blake AND a prospect AND a pick, go for it! But uhhh...c'mon.
Folks,
Vermette ain't as skilled as Boyle.
Meszaros ain't as skilled as Boyle.
Putting them together will not make them as skilled as Boyle.
TB goes through with this at its own peril.
Yo.

[Tom M]

This is strictly rumor but I heard today that the Sharks are looking to move Matt Carle with some slop for Boyle.

[Don in St. Pete]

J, I am in TOTAL agreement on the 3rd line. They should have been kept together at any cost. However the injury to Halpern has him out until late Dec. early Jan. so I'm guessing they signed Hall for that spot though Gratton would have been much better and scored more, plus played with them this year. I'm hoping they will at least sign Darche and Cmac to 2-ways as those guys gave their heart and sole for the club lasyt year.

[Don in St. Pete]

sharsfan, yeah, we have some extra forwards to trade. We could sweeten the pot if you gave us a stay at home D and a puck mover for Boyle and a couple forwards.

[Tom M]

Krispy Kreme is a lawyer, NOT a knowledgeable hockey GM...as evidenced in his brilliant acquisition of Marc Denis and other bonehead moves during his tenure.

Since we're apparently seeking to shed payroll to manage the cap more efficiently, how about shedding a few pounds in the GM's office and send Doughuts on his way out of town?

[j]

Don- I know there are some good ideas posted on here...my point was that it seems that only predictions and opinions are common-place and I was taken aback when asking a question that would result in a factual response was looked down upon. As far as lots of people "predicting" that we'd go after Malone and Rolston and Vrbata...the pole on this site that was up prior to the start of free agency said..."who should the lightning pursue at the start of free agency"...and the choices available went something like...Hossa, Malone, Vrbata, Rolston, Sundin. So...of course once the blogs became about free agency, people were predicting that we'd go after those players. Besides, even without the pole, there weren't too many high profile forwards available to go after other then that group anyway. I'll give you credit for predicting kolzig though. If you predicted Wyatt Smith or Scott Jackson then that'd be something! Anyway, I agree that the team is drastically improved as it is now, with or without boyle. Too bad they didn't decide to keep the halpern/darsch/ouellette line..it was the best one we had towards the end of last year...and now 2 of those players are probably going to be gone. Could of had 3 scoring lines by keeping it.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Interesting. It's hard to compare apples and oranges I guess but thos are two #1 defensive guys thogh I guess you could say Regehr was #2 with the emergence of Phaneuf. My point is if we can get a guy like that back for him, would it be a waste? If we can't dump some cap space it would be in my opinion, but there are a few you guys that are every bit as good as the two you listed above. I like Enstrom and they drafted Bogosian so he could be an option though not likely since they are so thin a d. I also like Jan Hejda at Columbus though everyone keepd mentioning kesla because Col. is trying to push hi. Boyle for Hejda and their 1st round pick could get some traction but I doubt Danny would waive to go to Columbus. It's a freakin' mess and OK and his crew need to figure it out. I'm tired of beating my head against the wall for hours during which i've dicovered no way of dealing Boyle for fair or equal value without taking on more salary. I'm guessing that Ok and the gang will figure this out 2 and redouble their efforts at plan b tomorrow.

can that idiot feaster not find another way to reduce the payroll?

[sharsfan]

shark fan,

what are the Lightning's needs?
- clear cap space - how much?
- young, cheap D w/ potential (stay-at-home) or one w/ offensive potential
- anything else?

[Michael]

Don, thanks, I had not heard this. I knew Dan was available, but I heard that there were some offers made for him. However, I still dont think Feaster would have been in charge enough to draw up the new contract. Feaster has lost COMPLETE control over the team, and I think they would have had the same thing going then. Otherwise, you have the team making moves you dont like, and then being stuck with them. I wouldnt allow that to happen if I was buying a team, and I was suppost to have say in everything going on as Koules and Barrie did. I could be wrong about this, but it wouldnt make sense. I would like to still have Brad, as he is a special kind of player, but its o.k. I will miss Dan, though if he is traded. But you have to admit, these new owners are atleast giving us something to talk about for once, unlike the last few off-seasons with the Davidsons.

[léo]

Don,
Blake and Regehr at 1st thought.
But don't place so much stock in my opinion. I'm hockey-crazy, not hockey-knowledgeble. Subtle diff.
Yo.

[j]

San Jose signed Rob Blake for 5 mil a few hours ago. Also, sportsnet.ca says that ottawa told boyle that they are flattered that he'd want to play for them, but they don't have room for his contract.

[Don in St. Pete]

J, I'll have you know that there are some pretty intelligent folks who post on this blog, and many had great ideas and excellent vision approaching the free agency period. I personally picked the signings of Malone, vrbata and Kolzig. Many picked Rolston, but as I thought he wouldn't sign for us at the same # offered by NJ. We'll be okay. there is still 3 months until the puck drops in Prague and we are an iminently better team, faster, more talented and tougher overall. If some tweaks can be made to the D despite some negative comments we could be a cup contender.

[Don in St. Pete]

Michael, The new owners in conjunction with Palace Sports tried to trade Dan Boyle before the trade deadline with no takers because of his recent injury. Still on a mandate to dump salary, the next option was Ritchy and his skin wasn't as thick as Boyle's and he knew that Feaster would never give him a second line winger to play with again so he might as well. After Ritchy was dealt Management resigned Boyle to a reasonable ( though to long on years ) contract to protect the asset. We'd have been much better off if wecould have moved Boyle at the deadline quite honestly because we could have saved the contract ( though we would have still had Ritchys ) and wouls have only had to sign one wing in addition to Prospal and still had our power play QB. However, playing the hand we've been dealt, you get a top 2 defenseman and a pick for Boyle or a 3 and 4 defenseman.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

No is not an option to Boyle ... it will be bad for both sides. Boyle knows this. What will happen is, Boyle will pick and choose where he wants to go then OK will work out a 3 way deal to get what they want as long as Boyle chooses one of the cities that OK is good with. It
don't look good for keeping Boyle and he knows this ...you can sense the worry and disappointment. You can also sense that the old regime is in the process of rearranging the furniture in preparation for big changes. I just hope that OK finds it in there urgent need to can Feaster, because he doesn’t belong here any longer. Tomorrow is not soon enough if OK want to can him. Oren Koules can hire someone for $7.00 an hour if he needs a coffee making pencil sharpener.

[j]

cleo-it's cool...just seemed like a harmless question got a agitated response...but I understand why now, thanks for the appology and the clarafacation on his contract situation

[j]

Geografer-good reply, I agree with you on boyle's situation. However, though I rarely comment, I read this blog quite often. I haven't seen much of anything about contract restructuring. It's always people saying what if we get this guy...then our lines will look like this. Or, I bet we'll trade this player to this team and get back those two guys. Just a bunch of speculatory bs and people talking like they know exactly what is going to happen and then it turns out completely different. So, instead of adding to the well of worthless opinions, I opted on having an intelligent discourse to better learn what options are available for boyle in his current predicament. Next time I'll just comment on how awesome something would be or how much something sucks and get in line with the others.

[Cleo]

Thanks Geografer, and yes, that is correct. He would be suspended without pay for the duration of the contract and remain the property of the team for that duration.

I'm really sorry if I came off snarky. This same subject has been addressed (by others besides myself) countless times, not only in this situation, but ad nauseum throughout the Brad Richards debacle.

[Michael]

People, do you really think it was Feasters deal? I know he was still in control, but if the owners MADE him trade Brad Richards against his wishes, and Feaster has no control over negotiations now, then what says he did then? Remember, Dan is perfect for Torts scheme, and Torts was still the head coach. He isnt now. So, that maybe why they want to trade him. They wanted him at that price then, but now, Melrose dosnt need him AS BADLY, so the contract is to much for this situation.

[crazyinstpete]

Don, that's a little nuts isn't it?

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Just so us unknowledgeable yanks can understand what value an independant out sider would place on Boyle, what value ( in terms of another palyer would you offer as an example equal to his value? Or better yet how would you rate the following list of defenseman, listed in no particular order just as they come to mind.

Zuboz
Hejda
Stahl
Enstrom
Campoli
Gill
Blake
Lidstrom
Gonchar
Streit
Hainsey
Kesla
Weber
Regehr
Hamrlik
Souray
Green
Campbell
McLaren
Metzaros