Dan Boyle’s tenure with the San Jose Sharks is now officially over.
The Sharks traded Boyle’s rights to the New York Islanders on Thursday in exchange for a conditional fifth round draft pick in 2015. It would become a fourth round pick if he signs with New York.
Boyle is still a pending unrestricted free agent on July 1, but by acquiring him, the Islanders now have exclusive negotiating rights with the defenseman. The soon to be 38-year-old is seeking at least a two-year contract, something the Sharks were unwilling to offer.
Sharks general manager Doug Wilson announced shortly after the season was over that Boyle would not be returning after six seasons with San Jose.
Whether Boyle signs with the Islanders could depend on how close he believes they are to competing for a Stanley Cup. New York missed the playoffs in 2013-14, finishing in last place in the Metropolitan Division with 79 points. They do, however, have one of the best young players in the league in forward John Tavares.
On May 16, shortly after Wilson’s announcement that he would not return, Boyle said: “I still think I have a lot of good years left in me. … I’ll wait until July 1 to see what is out there. I’m obviously crushed and hurt with what’s happened, but I’m a competitor. I want to win the Stanley Cup. That’s what I’m excited about. I’m looking forward to the next opportunity.”
Boyle, acquired by the Sharks from Tampa Bay on July 4, 2008, is the franchise's all-time leading scorer among defenseman with 269 points in 431 games. He is fourth among active NHL defensemen in scoring with 561 points with San Jose, Tampa Bay and Florida.
