NEW SIGN: CAUTION BOYLE ON BOARD

Brian Boyle, who many Pack fans will remember from his time with the Manchester Monarchs, has signed with the New York Rangers. Should Boyle for some reason not make the Rangers squad then he will bring his imposing size and presence to the Wolf Pack.

Here’s the formal release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Brian Boyle.

Boyle, 24, was acquired by the Rangers on June 27 from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.  Boyle appeared in 28 games with the Kings last season, registering four goals and one assist for five points, along with 42 penalty minutes.  He established career-highs in games played (28) and penalty minutes (42).  Boyle notched three goals in a four-game span from March 28 at Nashville to April 4 vs. Phoenix.  He also skated in 42 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), recording 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, along with 73 penalty minutes.  He collected two points (one goal and one assist) in his season debut with the Monarchs on December 5 vs. Worcester.  In addition, Boyle posted two, four-game scoring streaks – December 13 vs. Providence to December 17 at Manitoba (one goal and four assists) and March 4 vs. Springfield to March 8 at Worcester (two goals and two assists).

The 6-7, 252-pounder has skated in 36 career NHL games with Los Angeles, recording eight goals and two assists for 10 points, along with 46 penalty minutes.  He registered two points (one goal and one assist) and a plus-two rating in his NHL debut on February 2, 2008 at New Jersey.  Boyle has also appeared in 114 career AHL contests with Manchester, collecting 41 goals and 42 assists for 83 points, along with 162 penalty minutes.  In 2007-08, he established AHL career-highs in games played (70), goals (31), assists (31), points (62), and penalty minutes (87).  That year, he led the Monarchs in goals, ranked second on the team in points and fourth in assists.  His 31 goals also led all AHL rookies and ranked 10th in the league overall, while he finished second in the league among rookies with 62 points.  Boyle also tallied three goals and five assists for eight points in 16 postseason contests with Manchester during the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Hingham, MA native was originally Los Angeles’ first round choice, 26th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Comments

[MikeA]

Hey Mitch, first off happy 4th of July (a little late, I know). Quick question on Boyle;

With his age and experience, is he prone to waivers or can he be assigned without loss? I think it was 3 seasons or 50 NHL games or 25 years of age (which he will be)?

[Mitch Beck]

Based upon what I read in the CBA, my guess is that he would have to pass through waivers

[MikeA]

Thanks as always Mitch. Unless he shows up in Al "Pack O' Cigarettes During Intermission" Iafrate shape to training camp there is no way he comes to Hartford after they gave up a 3rd rounder for him.

[david]

With Boyle having played in Manchester Pack fans are very aware of this kid. I was shocked to think Sather would trade for him. This kid is not that good. He strikes no fear into people. The complaints of Manchester fans is similar to those about Jessiman.

I'm not a Sather hater but I think this is a really poor move. I'm not even sure Sather knew who he was trading for. Zipay quotes Sather when he talked about this trade saying, "He's a guy who needs an opportunity. He shut down Anisimov in the [AHL] playoffs. And Anisimov's another guy who's going to be given a chance to make this hockey club." http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers/ny-sprang2812927643jun27,0,7786224.story

No, Glen. Boyle did not even play against Anisimov in the playoffs. Manchester did not make the playoffs. In fact, Boyle did not finish the season in Manchester. Who are you thinking of Glen?

I have serious doubts he makes the team in New York. He certainly cannot be brought into to be Betts replacement. The guy is not an energy player who is going to get it done on the PK. In fact, his stats shows that he has played a total of 46 seconds on the PK in the NHL. (270 minutes of total time on ice).

[rcm]

6'7",252.How much talent does a guy that size need? Stick him in front of the opposing goaltender on the power play. At 500,000 for each of the next 2 years,he should be able to learn his trade. If that doesn't work he can practice his boxing at one of the gyms in Brooklyn.