Boyle: "I was disrespected."

If you thought Dan Boyle, traded Friday to the Sharks, was going to go quietly, think again. The Lightning defenseman had some parting shots for owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, and said he was "lied to completely, disrespected and misled."

Boyle said he believes the new ownership group, even though they did not have formal charge of the team, was was shopping him around the league shortly after he signed a six-year, $40-million contract. He said he was not told. Boyle said he was threatened with being put on waivers if he did not accept a trade and waived his no-trade clause. He said someone in the new ownership group, he would not say who, questioned his work ethic.

"He knows who he is," Boyle said. "But when your work ethic is questioned, I can't even, I'm at a loss for words as to what was said. It's absolutely disrespectful and not a way to treat a person."

Boyle said he would not have minded being shopped if he would have been told. In the interim, he bought a plot of land in the Tampa Bay area and is planning to build a house for his new wife and their first child, expected in late November.

"I understand business is business and I would not have taken it personally if it was done the right way, and when threats are involved and my personal character and work ethic is questioned; when those things get personal, that's not the way to do business."

Owner Len Barrie denied the new ownership group was shopping Boyle that early ("Totally untrue," he said), and added, "I don't think threat is the right word," as to Boyle perhaps being put on waivers. Barrie said the Lightning followed the rules of the collective bargaining agreement that says if a team has a "no-move" contract, no transaction can be contemplated. A no-trade clause only says a player can't be traded.

"Any time when you're in sports and you love the place you play, there's going to be emotions," Barrie said. "I played with Dan (with the Panthers). Dan is a good hockey player, but if Wayne Gretzky can be moved four times in his career, that's the business. We wish Dan all the best, and we think he's going to have great success running the Sharks power play."

Boyle said, "I'm speaking from the heart and not trying to grab headlines. ... I've given this franchise everything I had. I love it. I love the area and the fans. But at the end of the day, I was misled and lied to and completely disrespected. When you're threatened to be put on waivers and end up in Atlanta, it was an eye-opening situation for me."

As for the future, Boyle said, "I wish (the Lightning) absolutely the best. It's not one of those things where I sit here and hope Tampa Bay loses. I love the city and the fans too much. I think that would be wrong. I'm just very unhappy with the way I was treated. It's sad."

More in Saturday's paper.

      

Comments

[Matt]

I have a buddy who's good friends with boyle and he's a whinner and complains all the time. i'm sure he's just being over dramatic. but i love boyle and i know he'll do well out in san jose.

[Stacey]

To Paul who posted his little note signed "The Lightning Fans", you don't speak for me; you speak for yourself. I don't feel like you do. I'm not crying over Dan Boyle. Ever. And for you to say "being in the Western Conference now, will automatically grant you more respect and credibility in the "hockey world" than was given to you when you were with Tampa Bay" well, PAUL, all I have to say to that is- sounds like you need to follow Dan out to SJ.

Sorry it had to go down like this, Dan. Have a good life. I know you will. Peace.

[Chicken Little]

David G. is right ... the sky is falling ... the sky is falling

CLUCK
CLUCK

[David G]

crappy ownership group. this franchise is doomed.

[Don in St. Pete]

NTMM and EA, Great posts I must say a welcome breath of fresh air after the last 2 days. I am going to follow NTMM's direction and try to trade in my hal season ticket package for a full and upgrade if I can. The best seat I've had have been the A row at center Ice in the jeep club. I had XOP club seats for 2 years and while the beer and food is great the view sucks. GO BOLTS!

[EA]

Transition can be difficult. I hate to see Boyle leave but look at the salary numbers. The new ownership is spending the big $$$ on offense. The offense this year looks really good.

Melrose is going to put a lot of pressure on them to score and keep the puck in the offensive zone.

We also need to train some stay at home defense. Boyle is more of an offensive d-man. I love Boyle but it is a good move folks. Tough to swallow but a good hockey move.

As for those of you loving Richards here - MOVE ON, his numbers are not good at all. His production has never recovered from pre-lockout and his salary - he had to go and boy did we get some good players in that trade.

This team should win the Southeast this season.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Its really time to move forward from the Boyle issue. Sure he was disrespected. The fans will always rember him the same way they remembered Fedotenko and everyone else who played here in 2004. Everthing said from this point on about Dan Boyle, is just crying over a situation that isn't going to change. Face it if it was Nicholas Lyndstrom they were trading away, I might have been really mad, but it was Dan Boyle. This team will miss him for sure but it won't be that big of a deal with all the new forwards they have brought in that can play both ways and make up the difference on a puck mover. Hell, with Mike Smith we have a puck moving goalie...So I've decided I will by another 20 pack and I will pay $8.00 for beers... if they haven't gone up to $9.00, by George.

[Don in St. Pete]

re carlton, We had to sign Boyle or he would have walked away and we'd have got nothing in return. It was purely a business decision and while I agree with you that we need to stop pucks from entering the net more than we need to worry about whose hiking it the other way, Boyle was one of the best at what he did. He was a great player in Tampa and though weak defensively, twice posted a positive plus minus which was hard these past few years. The rookie ownership was a little crude in their handling of the situation, but Boyle was totally unsympathetic so what could they do. It's a new season, and a new, fasy exciting team and I for one am pumped at the possibilities the recent signings have promised. A couple of tweaks on the defensive end and we are contenders.

[ajax]

It is a business and the players are kings. I remember once Larry Bird complaing that they had to play on Xmas day, obviously forgetting that the billion dollar TV contract is what pays these guys millions and millions. After two days, yes Hollywood could of been nicer, but Danny, please take a second to be grateful instead of slighted. Signing for 6.67 million always points to grace for me. Always. When all is said and done, the reality of these contracts make it very very hard for anyone to feel bad for a player being traded under any circumstances. You can't make all the loot and call all the shots, usually doesn't work that way as an employee. Sorry Danny it is the business you are in. Jagr took 10 million to play in Russia, somehow I will never be convinced Danny sacrificed to sign his contract. Please.

[re carlton]

What i find truly amazing is that they gave boyle that huge contract...to a guy who missed that many games and was still a minus 29 thats the amazing part . a team that i that weak on defense should not concern them selves with the breakout as much as the stopping the opposition. this is where boyle was a huge liability.like richards they are more example of how badly coached this team was the 2 points on the power play and yet neither one could, dent a styrofoam cup from the point with a slap shot. maybe now someone can help ranger mature into a defensemen...boyle was no paul coffey

All you numb nuts,-29.Last place team.Playing more min.than any one on your team.No one in goal.Torts.Do the math.

[Don in St. Pete]

Cat, You must be living in a dream world. Boyle never would have signed without the NTC and he would have walked away and we'd have got nothin in return. Although I admire the morality professed by all these people don't you realize Danny also had his own interests in mine and not only those of the team. This is a business and the owner also owns the contracts and as such it is his duty to manipulate those in the best way he's sees fit to provide the best product on the ice and to lure fans to the stadium to fill the seats.

[Cat]

The trade has nothing to do with the return or the salary - it has to do with the no-trade clause. If the owners had any inkling at all they might need to move Boyle, they shouldn't have given him a NTC. Players value that a great deal, and if owners hand them out like Halloween candy they will find themselves in trouble. (see: Toronto)

It is a part of the contract, and should mean something, not just a minor inconvenience that any employee (no matter how much he makes) can be bullied into waiving when it was negotiated in good faith.

Owner reputations like that get around. There is a reason free agents tend to avoid Atlanta, the Islanders, and Edmonton (although that may change with the new ownership in Katz).

If Tampa ownership gets a reputation as a group that will not honor a contractual obligation, the team will have a much harder time getting free agents unless they drastically overpay - and younger players will want to leave as soon as they can.

[Coach Bill]

I must be missing something here. Danny Boy feels disrespected. At 6.6 million, I'm with Thunder and Boltflasher. I'd like to be that disrespected. Danny Boy- I taught elementary for 32 years and the state of Florida has given me a pension of $1221.21 per month for the rest of my life to ride off into the sunset with.That's below welfare!I still have to mow lawns so I can take my grandson to Lightning games. But you played 34 games and came in with a -29 on a team that desperately needed D (not offense) and your feelings were hurt? You were excellent on bringing up the puck but did you have to go all the way in? behind the net? maybe pass once in a while?
You did try to make defensemen out of Marty and Oulette as they had to cover for you. I guess that was part of Torts odd man rush plays.
Good luck in SJ and thanks for what you did for us over the years. You were fun to watch but we really need real D ( not a -29). Help me out here Ajax and Leo and Casper. What's he talking about?

[léo]

Spot on, John. (hey, that rhymes)
As mentioned before, the New Bolts aren't attuned to each other yet so we don't know what kind of clubhouse chemistry will exist. Verily, clubhouse chemistry is EXTREMELY important.
But you know what's even MORE important?
DEFENSE! As in,
Where is it?!
Great trade for Boyle, fine. But who's your num1 D-line? Think about it. Who is it?
No matter which two you name...
Not enough.
Great trade for TB, yet TB still has the weakest D-line in the league.
THE weakest.
Unless anyone can name another.
Yo.

[John]

Boyle will put up less numbers?? Probably, just because he will be playing with other world class defenseman that will be eat up a bulk of ice time. Boyle was clocking in around 20-24 minustes a game.

Whilst so many intelligent arguments have been made on this page, one can only guess at what chemistry will exist in the locker room. We will be startting the season minus Brad and Danny for the fierst time in a long time, two players who just a few months ago were considered cornerstones of the franbchise. I don't care what anyone says that till have an effect.

I think that OK and his henchmen have done alot of good, but if anyone who has ever played organized sports knows, the clubhouse environment is critical.

Hopefully, Kolzig and Roberts can reign the boys in, and if Andreychuk is still a presence his influenc will be beneficial as well. Once a team feels disrespected there will have to be a lot of work done on regaining the trust of the players, I feel that much has been done in recent days to destroy all the good work that OK has done. I'm optimistic to a degree regarding next season but wary.

[Natasha]

1 more thing.... Besides Boyle was injured last year, and those injuries are gonna plague him. And the only reason he played hard, when he did play was to try and score a big contract. He'll go back to sucking, and being what FL benched since he's overpaid and in San Jose now. Mark my words, I'd place a bet with anyone.... He doesn't put up half the numbers he usually does next year. West is an entirely different beast. One he's never played in. And he's already got OVERpaid for the next 6 years.

[Natasha]

This is the same Dan who held the team bent over a garbage can while he made them not give him one penny less before the trade deadline or he'd turn into a UFA. Sure does sound like he loved Tampa and all it's fans then, now didn't he? I'm glad he's gone, good riddance. I hope the door smacked him hard on the way out. He's got his $40 Mil to build a home with in San Jose. And I don't have to see his ugly lil turn overs and lack of defensive play every game. Thank God Dan Boyle is gone... I can actually start Enjoying Lightning hockey again!

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Interesting thought! I guess a lot of it depends on how ready Boyle is, how much Blake has left in the tank, and if they can get some secondary scoring from a fairly ragtag 3rd and 4th line. I think the new coach may help them though. From what I've heard Ron Wilson was a hard @$$ like Torts.

[ajax]

Leo, r u talking to me?? (my best Di Nero)
I wrote alot the last few days and never even touched on a better situation/better team/better chance at the cup. I know nothing about San Jose except they have earned the title underachievers the last few years(ah, good call, like the Sens?). I will say this, of the 5-10 playoff games I have seen them play, Joe Thorton is the best powerplay guy on the planet, yet was invisible 5 on 5 against other top lines. That isn't a compliment.
In short, I don't like the way the Boyle deal was handled (I guess) someone above said it best, Is their any nice way to fire someone?? BUT I do like the deal for our organization, yes I do.

[léo]

Ajax,
Considerin' the fact that I just LOOOOVE to stir the pot and also that it'd be good to switch it away from, "Dan should stay/Kouliwood should suck an egg" versus "Dan, take yer dough and stop cryin'/Kouliwood is doin' business", I'd like to throw a monkey in the wrench in regards to your allusion that,
"Boyle would be going to a better team and a Cup contender." (not your exact words, I know, but what you were implyin', unless I's mistaken)
I disagree (this is the fun part),
If I went out onna limb and said,
The Sharkies are the NEW Senators...with all that that entails.
What woudj'all say to that?
Yo.

[David]

It may have been able to have been handled better, but I've had to let employees go, and even the best way of doing it sucks. If there is such a best way. I don't know if anyone's work ethic was questioned. I don't really know what happened. If the cards were put on the table and Boyle was told that he couldn't be kept, he could be traded or waived, well that's brutal honesty, but it was the best for both parties that he waive the clause or he goes to L.A., or Florida, or Atlanta.

For all we know Barrie, Koules and Melrose don't like themselves very much right now for having to make the decision. For all we know they are partying about it, that's the problem.

Lots of strong reactions here based on supposition and he said-she said. Which is all entertaining and interesting and passes the time until the puck drops but ultimately fruitless. But fun I suppose.

What's up with today. No moves are being made/reported. Unacceptable!

[john]

"Let the trickle down effect begin, now!! It seems the "haircut twins" have forgotten that Danny, Brad, Vinny, Marty, and Prospal have each other on speed dial. If you think for one minute that the chatter in the locker room isn't going to be about "how Boyler got dissed and lied to and how classless Koules and Barrie are, than I have a 5 million dollar bag of pucks to sell you. This move will reverberate in the locker room big time."

Really? You really think OK didn't ask Vinny his opinion before inking him to a 9 year 77 million dollar deal? Really? If Vinny wasn't on board I seriously doubt he would have agreed to stay on board with what you call "dis-honest and dis-loyal" employers, no?

Common Sense... This team was horrible last season and moves had to be made.

[john]

"Let the trickle down effect begin, now!! It seems the "haircut twins" have forgotten that Danny, Brad, Vinny, Marty, and Prospal have each other on speed dial. If you think for one minute that the chatter in the locker room isn't going to be about "how Boyler got dissed and lied to and how classless Koules and Barrie are, than I have a 5 million dollar bag of pucks to sell you. This move will reverberate in the locker room big time."

Really? You really think OK didn't ask Vinny his opinion before inking him to a 9 year 77 million dollar deal? Really? If Vinny wasn't on board I seriously doubt he would have agreed to stay on board with what you call "dis-honest and dis-loyal" employers, no?

Common Sense... This team was horrible last season and moves had to be made.

[matt]

Amen Ajax.. I only wish other people used common sense instead of emotion when commenting on situations they don't know everything about.

And way to be "classy" on the way out Boyle. Way to show the fans what you were really all about.(Money)

[ajax]

Bingo, I did post that Hollywood's character is in question, so I wasn't as cold as portrayed. I 110% agree wrong is wrong. But also, I do believe Dan did what was best for Dan at contract time. That is the way it sadly works. Then the owners did what was best for them(and probably the team) and again that is sadly how it works. In the business of megabucks often someone gets squished. Not fair, not right, but often how it works. If the owners were unhappy, are you telling me they had to totally(for 5 yeaers) live with what they thought was a mistake?? I for one loved Dan Boyle, this little typewriter can't show how much I thought he was a huge, HUGE, part of our success, but I thought Feaster paid way to much and to long to keep him. I am also sure Dan never shared this thought, not even once. Follow?? I think alot of you forget that Hollywood never wanted him and was loudly pushed into signing the huge contract. So Hollywood, if you are honest gang, sort of was forced from day one of the Boyle contract. Hopefully this is the exception to Hollywoods behavior and not the rule. But I do think the circumstances of the Boyle contract made this an "uneasy" relationship from the day it was inked with Hollywood. I simply think the Boyle contract never left(or settled in the gut) in the thought process of building this team in Hollywood's mind. Follow? From a team view I think of it this way. The Richie contract killed us and our roster and every decision that was made for over two years. Finally they had the brains to finally admit it was killing us. At least Hollywood didn't live with the mistake for two years. Good business, unfortuante (poor) handling?
Anywho my thoughts are the same, yes I do want Hollywood to show class and character, ALWAYS. But as the 19th best paid player in hockey (and he is not the 19th best player by the way) Dan could show just a bit more class on his side to, don't ya think? It wasn't a perfect situation, but was Danny Boyle the loser in the transaction??? Dan Boyle is the victim with what has happened the last few months?? I can't except that on any level. Only if you side totally with Danny's view and that ain't right either. Have a great day, I think we will have a lull for a few days.

[Berliner]

Paul makes the only reasonable argument for those that are unhappy with how Dan was treated. I can see your side of it, or Danny's side, as it were, but there are so many what-ifs that I cant just say these people are bad eggs.

Back at the trade deadline when we wanted to move Boyle (supposedly when he would have been so much more valuable) he was only willing to waive his NTC for New York Rangers. That didnt give us a lot of options and Lord knows what went on behind the scenes there.

And even this time around, I wont necessarily jump on Barrie's case since I dont know it was him who called Boyle out. Certainly something had to instigate all of this.

Just remember there are two sides to every story, and perhaps OK is being the bigger person by not relaying anything that Dan Boyle might have said. I know that's not what everyone wants to hear, but at least acknowledge that it wasnt all sugar and roses coming out of Boyle's mouth either. And dont get me started on George Bazos.

[Don in St. Pete]

I am sick and tired of all the whiny little Babies on this blog. Making baseless accusations and supposition because you were loyal to a player. Get over it! It's done and you can't change it now. You're doing the worst thing you could possibly do right now by whining like little crybabies. I sincerelt hope none of you buys season tickets as that will leave more for the true fans of the game and the team, not the name on the back of the sweater. get a grip folks it's not the end of the world and most GM's in the NHL have had to do something similar and will have to again. You people make me sick. GO BOLTS!

[léo]

Don,
Don't know if I used the words "massively beneficial" there, mate. That would imply you benefit from this trade right off the bat, and I don't think that's the case.
While Carle has the upside of maybe bringing more to the defensive position OVER TIME and be better than Boyle...
He certainly isn't as good as Boyle is now. So, right off the bat, TB is weaker than it was 24hrs ago.
Don't get me wrong; this is an EXTREMELY beneficial trade for TB, Don, yes. I would have also said yes in a Kouliwood minute.
But it would've been MORE beneficial to have concluded it in Feb. You could've and would've transacted IN RELATION to Carle's adaptation to the team over the last 2 months of the season. You woulda had a better idea of where you stand with him.
Of course, you couldn't have foreseen such a move then and you take what you can get now without looking the gift-horse in the mouth, sure, but as we speak, even at 4 to 1 player-wise, once the season starts, are you better with Boyle or Carle?
The answer is Boyle.
And that's why SJ made a bonehead play to get him.
Cuz Rivet was the problem. Acting "The Boss" in the dressing-room with ole'man coverage on the ice.
THAT'S why We threw his butt outta Mtl, tellin' Kovy what to do, pfff! You DON'T tell an Artiste what to do. Acting the wannabe "Boss" with nothing to show on the ice, you're askin' to get shanked; ain't surprised it happened in SJ. Good luck in Buffalo, Craigy! Haw-haw!
Oh, and Craig?
You ain't no Josh Gorges; tell ya that fer nuthin'.
Thank you, SJ!
..suckers..
Yo.

[TS-SS]

The new ownership is a joke. Oren, Len, & Barry... sounds like a lame morning show but unfortunately it's now the new Tampa circus. Look kids, the circus is in town!

Dan Boyle was never the "media" or "headlines" type of guy. For him to come out in say this you know the negotiations were run wrong. I believe every word he says and have no respect for the new owners... or Melrose for that matter.

These guys are going to run everyone out of town that "loves it here in Tampa" because that'll make it easier to move to Las Vegas in 3 years.

[Paul]

I think I speak for many here when I say it's not the trade itself that bothers me, it the way it seems to have gone down.

The trade is fair, and the Lightning got a good deal out of it. But I don't care how much money Boyle makes, being disrespected sucks at any level. Those of you with the "quit whining" and "oh, boo hoo" responses need to realize that.

[John]

Let the trickle down effect begin, now!! It seems the "haircut twins" have forgotten that Danny, Brad, Vinny, Marty, and Prospal have each other on speed dial. If you think for one minute that the chatter in the locker room isn't going to be about "how Boyler got dissed and lied to and how classless Koules and Barrie are, than I have a 5 million dollar bag of pucks to sell you. This move will reverberate in the locker room big time. That's all we need is for Stamkos to get negged out when he's hanging out with his new buddies in Vinny 4, St. Louis, and Prospal. I give Lecavlier next season and he's gone too, especially if Stamkos has even a hint of a decent season. Respect is paramount amongst NHL'ers and Koules and Barrie have just broken the golden rule.

[Casper]

A lot of folks are going to have some difficulty admitting they were wrong.
(I'll forgive you in advance.)

I did that in yanking my support of Coach Tortorella. I adored that man, then he went all macabre on the Lads.

Now he's long gone and I don't feel vindicated, I feel sick. Sick that I had supported him when he was cool, because I believed he was right, and sick when I was right in suspending my support.

About that and a good many other things, I was wrong.

Go Bolts!

[Jim-NJ]

A guy who plays 30 mins a game has a problem with his work ethic???

*POP* goes the bubble, right on cue

Isn't it funny how all notion of class, all that great positive good will in the community, can be just washed away in one ill move. I almost renewed my season tix last Thursday but my rep was off. Now we'll wait and see

"If we have to waive you because we're over cap, you could end up in some place like ATL and neither of us wants that for you; we want to give you the chance to pick where you'd like to go." Sounds great, but no matter how nicely it would be phrased, if you're being lied to and disrespected and having your work ethic questioned - after being rushed back too soon following wrist surgery, ripping a couple tendons again and having to do it all over - you have a right to be angry even if you're making great money

[James]

CB, it's not so much about players being traded because of course we know that happens all the time. It was the way ownership did it. To be as deceitful, underhanded and manipulative as they were is something I think every fan would rather do without. I believe they had every intention of trading boyle a lot longer than the past few weeks. (I certainly hope that the nice gesture of picking Carle's brother with the final pick even though he wont be able to play in the NHL wasn't to garner favor with Matt Carle to want to come here). I shutter to think an owner would have the conscience to do that). Sure, business is business. But why do we see trades happen, more often than not, that don't go down like this one? Good grief is right. Open your eyes.

[Charlie Brown]

I am getting as sick of you Boyle lovers as I was of the Brad lovers. What is all this man-love? All we heard before Brad was traded was how awful his plus-minus was. Then it was how Danny B keeps putting the puck in his own net yet when he gets traded, we all go boo-hoo, Dan we didn't really mean it! Grow up, trades happen all the time and it doesn't mean the franchise player is about to be moved or that the team is relocating...."Good Grief"

[Patty]

So, apparently we go from disinterested, cheap ownership to sleazy mid-level-spending ownership. At least the cheap ownership hired decent people who were allowed to do their jobs and treated the players with respect- and oh yeah- managed to win a Cup along the way. Thank you Danny, for bringing the Cup to Tampa. Best of luck to you in SJ.

[karma]

Stealing a line from "Dances with Wolves",
"Fair Trade".
I'm just not happy with the way this went down. 2x Boyler took less than what he could have been paid to stay in town.
Mgmt should NOT have bs'd him as they did. God, I wonder if they made Feaster call him...

And as for dealing with the local fans, some "sage" advice to the proud new owners: We're very smart hockey fans. Don't piss on our heads and tell us it's raining. Unless you want to take your new toy and run home to Vegas.

I'm really beginning to dislike these guys.

[gordiehowe]

If Barrie questioned Doyle's work ethic... whoo! Barrie was stuck in the minors for many years, in Hershey, Cincinnati, Cleveland, where he lit it up. He'd get a cup of coffee in the NHL from time to time, but couldn't score, and was a huge defensive liability. His work ethic was crap and he led the IHL in 10-minute misconducts for running his gums at refs. It wasn't until after 8 years in the minors that he figured out that he had to play defense before he got a shot. Oh, and expansion didn't hurt.

There are a handful of things Barrie should never question his players about- work ethic, backchecking, forechecking, team play, maturity, and control.

It's a shame. This ownership group was looking fantastic at first. This move, and these comments, make it look very strange.

[Fn]

Yeh Boyle was swell at getting his jock swiped, racing back to try and get position for a missed shot or rebound and rush it up the ice like it was his plan all along.

Ick.

[Fuzzynipples]

Instead of picking crow out of your teeth, you guys will have to change your 'stage' name, or else nimrods like 91 will point and laugh, before going back to their Nintendo.

Nobody skates the puck up ice end to end like Boyler...we'll miss that. Again, as the goalie & defense goes next year, so goes the Lightnings fate.

[Neil]

Tampa Bay Lighting Will Never Leave Tampa ??? Can you truly believe OK HOCKEY.

[Bingo]

Ajax, So when Vincent is at 8mil a year and he moves to the top we do what trade him for a bag full of peanuts? It is always about the value you bring to the team. Sure we would all like to find players who are super stars playing for 3 mil a year but a some point they will be paid. Cost of business = Cheap Cheap Cheap winning on a dime and fleecing the fans. When a person is disrespected there is no qualifying that it's OK = Donkey because you make a lot of money. It is disrespect and when it is someone who helped hoist the flag for the team in question it is considered blasphemous for the fans and other players. What OK = Donkey has done is show the players his respect for their skills. I've worked in all sort's of environments, when a company loses the respect of it's employees things go wrong. I don't believe it is intentional it just happens. OK - Donkey the joyous ride is over.

[Paul]

Dan,

I hope you know that you have the complete respect and love of Lightning fans. You gave great years of your life to this team, and, by extension, us fans. In return, we reveled in watching you hoist the Cup in '04 almost as much as you did in carrying it.

In some of your comments above, you show that you are more mature and mentally responsible than those who decided that they had control of your fate. As you wish the Lightning the best moving forward, so we to you. Besides, I'd say that being in the Western Conference now, will automatically grant you more respect and credibility in the "hockey world" than was given to you when you were with Tampa Bay.

As a quick aside, in response to those saying you should "quit whining" because you make $6+ million a year, also know that most of us realize that disrespect is disrespect, and it sucks any time, no matter your financial bracket.

We know there are two side to every story, but, in short, we'll miss you. We hope you have great success on and off the ice for the years to come.

Signed,

The Lightning Fans

[ajax]

check out this website gang
http://www.nhlnumbers.com/sort.php
They have Dan Boyle as the 19th highest paid player in the NHL.
Things could of been done different, I am sure, but please Mr. Boyle, look at the big picture before you complain to loudly.

[91]

Don in St. Pete.

haha now we really know you don't have a clue. the big 2 assists in the fianl SEVEN games of the final did not come in the last game. only 1. but once again Vinny gets credit for 2 assists although just had one. GOOD fan. Marty will have to keep Vinny going again.

[sesorkcalb]

Bottom line, TBL offense is amazing after the moves made by new ownership but the defense and goaltending are very suspect. Carle and Wishart look to be good additions for the long-term, but our top D-line is now more like a third line on most other teams. It was a crappy way to handle Boyle -- disrespectful and unnecessary. You gotta know that this will give other players pause, both those who are already here and those who might have wanted to come join the TBL.

[The Teacher]

My site Habs inside/out feels all Americaan teams should fold, South of the Mason-Dixon line.