GREENBURGH – You only had to look at Dan Boyle’s face as he spoke to know how difficult it is for a proven NHL veteran to be told he’s not a full-time player anymore.
“Of course (it’s difficult),” he said. “Yeah. It is, yes.”
But that’s the case for the 39-year-old defenseman who struggled for a lot of last season, after signing a two-year, $9 million contract with the Rangers, and has been worse this season.
Boyle looks at is as he’s the guy who has to come out so that rookie Dylan McIlrath – who has played three times in 14 games – can get his playing time and experience. Boyle said he went through similar circumstances as a young player in Florida, sitting for long stretches.
Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, though, clearly thinks it’s more about Boyle than about McIlrath.
“I know that every player wants to play,” Vigneault said after practice Monday. “Every player wants to play big minutes and have an important role in a team. Dan’s role is, he’s very important on our team. It might not be the minutes that he once had. But he’s also not the same player he once was. That’s just normal when you get older. The skills and the speed, it’s just human nature. But he is an important part of our team and when we need him in the lineup we expect him to play well and play to his strengths.”
Vigneault said he had discussed the plan with Boyle about two weeks ago, and that Rangers GM Jeff Gorton had a similar conversation with Boyle’s agent, George Bazos. Boyle will play Tuesday against Carolina, as he did Saturday in Arizona, after sitting out two in a row.
“Obviously players don’t like hearing that, but he is 39 years old,” Vigneault said.
“I didn’t expect him to be happy about it and cheery about it, but human nature is that at 39 (he probably needs) a little more rest and we need to be smart with him. … That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Boyle’s speed isn’t what it once was, and his puck-carrying style clashes with Vigneault’s system that needs quick passes. But it’s been his decisions with the puck where’s really had trouble.
“I think that the struggle this year has been between the ears,” Boyle said. “It’s mentally and I’ve struggled a little bit with my confidence. That’s where the work needs to be done.”
He was asked if this is what he imagined when he signed here?
“I don’t know,” Boyle said. “I mean, we went to the Stanley Cup semifinals last year. As far as I’m concerned that’s all I care about. I don’t care about personal statistics or things like that. I just care about giving myself an opportunity to hoist the Cup again. So far I’d like to think that … I gave myself a chance last year and hopefully give myself and this team the opportunity again this year.”
Boyle was better in Arizona, after his two games off, than he had been most of this season, but there’s not much solace in that.
“I did a few good things, but it’s one game at a time,” Boyle said. “When you’re playing 24 minutes a night and have a long leash, so to speak, you can play it a little differently and do different things when you’re in a different environment, so to speak. You just have to do the best you can with what you’ve got. It doesn’t matter. If I play one good game, and if I don’t show up the next, that’s not good.”
****************************************************************
NOTEBOOK … Nash back Tuesday vs. Canes:
Rick Nash practiced Monday and, unless his back stiffens overnight, plans to play Tuesday vs. Carolina. Nash was back on his usual line, with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, and on the power play in Monday’s workout. … Vigneault said he’s not sure whether Emerson Etem will come out after two good games in Nash’s spot. Etem rotated on a fourth line with Jarret Stoll, Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast Monday. … Boyle will remain in the lineup, and practiced on the right of Keith Yandle. Dylan McIlrath will be scratched. Vigneault said he does not plan to rotate other defensemen out of the lineup to give them rest (see quote below).
****************************************************************
From today’s interviews:
Dan Boyle:
“One day at a time. That’s it. simple as that. If I get called to play, then try to do the best that I can.”
“Yeah, I understand. I’ve been a young guy. My first four years in Florida I was sitting out long periods at a time. It’s tough. It’s not an easy way to start your career and you certainly don’t develop well that way. So I certainly understand. You need to give the young guys an opportunity to play and prove themselves, so I understand.”
“I have no idea (if there’s a plan mapped out).”
“I just concentrate on the task at hand, and if that’s playing on this particular night I’m just trying to be the best that I can be and regain some of that confidence with the puck that I’ve struggled with at times early on in this season.”
“I did a few good things (Saturday), but it’s one game at a time. When you’re playing 24 minutes a night and have a long leash, so to speak, you can play it a little differently and do different things when you’re in a different environment, so to speak. You just have to do the best you can with what you’ve got. It doesn’t matter. If I play one good game, and if I don’t show up the next, that’s not good.”
“I think that the struggle this year has been between the ears, I think. It’s mentally and I’ve struggled a little bit with my confidence. That’s where the work needs to be done.”
Is this what he imagined when he signed here?
“I don’t know. I mean, we went to the Stanley Cup semifinals last year. As far as I’m concerned that’s all I care about. I don’t care about personal statistics or things like that. I just care about giving myself an opportunity to hoist the Cup again. So far I’d like to think that … I gave myself a chance last year and hopefully give myself and this team the opportunity again this year.”
Alain Vigneault:
“I know that every player wants to play. Every player wants to play big minutes and have an important role in a team. Dan’s role is, he’s very important on our team. It might not be the minutes that he once had. But he’s also not the same player he once was. That’s just normal when you get older. The skills and the speed, it’s just human nature. But he is an important part of our team and when we need him in the lineup we expect him to play well and play to his strengths.”
“I had this (conversation with Boyle) about two weeks ago, when I told him there was a possibility – obviously players don’t like hearing that, but he is 39 years old – it was possible that we’d look at the schedule and see if we could look at the big picture and maybe some games he might possibly skip. I had that conversation with him. I know Jeff (Gorton) had the same conversation with his agent (George Bazos). So he’s aware of it. I didn’t expect him to be happy about it and cheery about it, but human nature is that at 39 (he probably needs) a little more rest and we need to be smart with him.we told him it That’s what I’m trying to do.”
On giving other defensemen nights off:
“No. This is a different situation. He’s a little bit older and this is something that’s been done in the past with other players in similar situations. I don’t think any of the other players in that situation liked it, but it is what it is and I’ve got to look at the big picture and do what’s best for the team.”
Twitter: @RangersReport
Photo by Getty Images.
The post Vigneault on Boyle: “I’ve got to do what’s best for the team” appeared first on Rangers Report.