The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded center Brian Boyle to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Byron Froese and a 2017 2nd round pick.
Chris Johnston: The Lightning get highest/best of the three 2017 2nd round picks the Leafs own – Toronto, San Jose and Ottawa.
The 32-year old Boyle was drafted 26th overall in the 1st round of the 2003 draft by the LA Kings.
Boyle carries a $2 million cap hit and will be a free agent after the season.
The 25-year old Froese was drafted 199th overall in the 4th round of the 2009 draft by the Blackhawks.
Thoughts from the media …
Chris Johnston: “Reminder: The #leafs have ~$17M in available cap space with LTIR and they’re prepared to use it.”
Mark Masters: “Babcock on Saturday night: “We have good depth in lots of spots, not as much at centre ice”
John Shannon: “Maple Leaf source: “you can never have too much veteran leadership “. Boyle fits bill. Centre. Winger. Strong faceoff guy. ”
Chris Johnston: “It sounds like the Brian Boyle acquisition is pure rental at this stage for #leafs. He’s a pending UFA earning $2M.”
Mike Zeisberger: “Brian Boyle: In 54 games with the #lightning this season, Boyle has 13 goals and nine assists for 22 points, 48 penalty minutes.”
Patrick O’Sullivan: “Boyle is one of the best teammates I ever played with. Valuable and versatile on the ice and great for the room. The kids get a good leader.”
Greg Wyshynski: “I love Boyle. He passes the defensive, play-driving test and he passes the character and experience test”
Greg Wyshynski: “Much like the Wild trade last night, Boyle’s a signal from management that Leafs earned this rental. To start thinking like a playoff team.”
David Pagnotta: “Leafs won’t mortgage future for short-term fix, plan still set, but adding Boyle for playoff push & gain playoff experience is big for dev”
David Pagnotta: “Boyle centering a fourth line in Toronto with Matt Martin and Nikita Soshnikov is a pretty darn good energy line to have.”
Brian Boyle
Bryon Froese