The New York Islanders are having a wonderful offseason—a persuasive case can be made that no team has done more to improve itself this summer via trade and free agency—but it hasn’t been perfect.
On June 5, general manager Garth Snow made the proactive move of acquiring the rights to unrestricted free-agent defenseman Dan Boyle from the San Jose Sharks for a conditional fifth-round pick. The move gave the Islanders an exclusive three-week negotiating window with Boyle, a soon-to-be 38-year-old defenseman who would be highly coveted on the open market.
Two weeks later, when it became clear that Boyle preferred to sign with a contender, the Islanders tried to deal his rights to another team to no avail. With the Lightning, Red Wings and Maple Leafs among his suitors, Boyle chose to sign a two-year, $9 million contract with the rival Rangers, yet another indignity for an Islanders team that hasn’t reached the playoffs following an 82-game season since 2007.
Snow attempted a similar maneuver in 2011 with Christian Ehrhoff, who preferred to hitch his wagon to the Buffalo Sabres after having his rights s ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Dave Lozo
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