Todd Cordell: What are the New Jersey Devils getting in Brian Boyle?

That was an excellent assessment of the Brian Boyle signing. Thanks you, for your hard work, I really enjoy reading your blog.

That was an excellent assessment of the Brian Boyle signing. Thanks you, for your hard work, I really enjoy reading your blog.
- Ouchmyliver

Thank you!

I really liked this signing. Like you said, who cares what they're paying him, they have a ton of cap-space.

My concern about letting Josefson go is that they would replace him with a 'grittier' player whose only qualification for being in the NHL was the aforementioned grit. I was worried they'd give the spot to Coleman, who shouldn't be in the NHL short of an injury call-up (and even then there will be a few new guys who I think will surpass him on the depth chart). Boyle can play though. If he's not the best 4th line center in the league, he's definitely in the conversation.

I think it did get some backlash because of the circumstances surrounding it. Everyone was waiting to hear what Shattenkirk would do, and when he went across the river instead, we were left with a 4th line center as the big July 1st acquisition.

That was an excellent assessment of the Brian Boyle signing. Thanks you, for your hard work, I really enjoy reading your blog.
- Ouchmyliver

Oh hey you're pretty new. Welcome to hockeybuzz

Thanks, been reading for years, just never bothered to comment.

Big fan of the signing

Solid pickup.
He probably be used to kill penalties and I would not be surprised to see him taking important draws at the end of games.

Saw the AVS news on Nikita Zadarov, what a mess.

If he goes back to the KHL then they pretty much traded O' Reilly for nothing.

Grigorenko and Zadarov were the main pieces.

The AVS fans have totally had it with Sakic.

KovaRichard signed in Russia. Hope the slimebag never plays in NHL again.

KovaRichard signed in Russia. Hope the slimebag never plays in NHL again.
- redmonsters

You're going to be so unhappy in about 360 days... we all will be.

You're going to be so unhappy in about 360 days... we all will be.
- Queenie_5_hole

I wouldn't wish a career ending injury on anyone, but...

KovaRichard signed in Russia. Hope the slimebag never plays in NHL again.
- redmonsters

Don't ya hate those auto corrects, ruins a great post.

Boyle is a great big body, really good on draws & the PK & a great lockerroom guy like you said. Just tell him to keep the mitts on, he is the worst fighter for a big man I've ever seen, maybe with the exception of Steve McKenna.

Brian Boyle is one of the most underrated players in the NHL, he is a defensive beast, an amazing penaltykiller, and he can score.

Great pickup, great value.

Great pickup, great value.
- John Jaeckel

We're paying a 4th line center 37.5% more then he was making on his previous contact now that he's 32 years old? I like the guy but from a value standpoint he's pretty overpaid. Not that it really matters for the Devils with the amount of cap space.