Two weeks ago, Dan Boyle’s rights were traded to the New York Islanders following their early exit from the 2013-14 Stanley Cup Playoffs, however general manager Garth Snow was unable to convince the veteran blue-liner to stick around on Long Island.

Dan Boyle Signs with the New York Rangers

The Rangers made a big splash on Tuesday when they signed unrestricted free agent Dan Boyle to a two-year, $9 million contract. The former San Jose Sharks defenseman is set to earn an annual amount of $4.5 million per season.

Last season, Boyle produced 12 goals and 24 assists in 75 games with the San Jose Sharks while adding stability and toughness to the back-end. A key reason why the Sharks held the fort defensively during their run to the playoffs, Boyle and the rest of the team suffered the ultimate blow to the heart after they blew a 3-0 series lead against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round, who ended up winning it all.

Trading Boyle was a move general manager Doug Wilson was forced to make to re-invent the team and start over but also turned out to be a decision he had a hard time making. After sending Boyle to the Islanders, Murray had nothing but positive things to see about Boyle, including how great of a team player he was and how much character he had.

Boyle, 37, has played 954 games over 16 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and San Jose Sharks. Boyle has accumulated 561 points (144 goals, 417 assists) while appearing in 107 playoff games, posting 14 goals and adding 56 assists. Boyle was a member of the 2004 Stanley Cup winning Lightning team and a Gold Medal as part of the Canadian Olympic team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The 5’11, 190 pound defenseman has been through every possible scenario in hockey; from winning it all, to heart-break, to winning an Olympic Gold medal. Boyle brings a load experience and leadership to the back-end and adds some offensive fire-power. He can be gritty and mean and lay a hit, and to date Boyle’s age hasn’t slowed him down in the least.

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