New Jersey Devils Should Target Florida Panthers In Offseason

Brian Boyle

Brian Boyle needs to be back on this team. The Devils are too soft and lack leadership, so 6 foot 6″ Brian Boyle is a perfect depth fit. He hits people, he stands up for his teammates, and he is willing to fight. He was willing to fight while doing cancer treatments. If that isn’t maximum compete level and heart, then what is.

Some people may be thinking he will take a spot from a young player, but the Devils need competition. If you can’t win the spot you don’t deserve it. He probably wouldn’t play all the games like most 4th liners, but having him on the ice for 50 games and in the locker room for 82 would do way more than having a Micheal McCleod do the same. The Devils should slap the A on his chest right away and let him along with Travis Zajac teach Hischier. They can teach him how to do it all right and if ever needed push people who aren’t doing their job back on to the right track, which might be harder for a 21 year old.

In a depth role, he can kill penalties and probably spend time on a second powerplay standing in front of the net. He could even help everyone’s favorite Devil Miles Wood with work on screening and body positioning so he can fill that role going forward. Boyle can help ramp up the intensity for everyone to with his personality on the ice and really get people into games. To many players have a habit of coasting and taking games off with Boyle around it always felt like his line was more willing to engage.

If he wanted to come back, the Devils should be 100% in on this. He won’t have a huge list of suitors, so the Devils should offer him a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. If it works out and we want him longer they can always sign him again year by year. If not, he can be moved at the deadline for all those intangibles and leadership qualities he has making this an easy signing on the Devils’ side.