Boyle now glad he bolted Lightning for Sharks
All it takes is one look at the NHL standings to know that defenseman Dan Boyle is very happy to be with the high-flying San Jose Sharks instead of the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning.
Boyle made a big commitment to the Lightning by signing a six-year, $40 million contract extension just before last season’s trade deadline, giving up his chance at free agency.
Tampa Bay finished with the worst record in the NHL, yet it’s the place Boyle wanted to be. .
When the sale of the Lightning was completed over the summer, Boyle’s big contract was one the new owners looked to shed. Enter the Sharks. While he wasn’t pleased at the time of the trade, Boyle feels much better now that the Sharks are 23-3-2.
The bad taste is long gone.
“No, not anymore,” Boyle said with a laugh. “At the time I just signed a six-year extension, was planning to be there for a while. But … I have no regrets whatsoever.”
Nor should he. The Sharks have the best record in hockey, while the Lightning are again at the bottom of the standings.
Holds barred
Jacques Lemaire made the low-scoring, trap-filled formula for success an art form when he coached the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup title a little more than a decade ago.
He moved on to Minnesota and got the Wild to the Western Conference finals, too, in 2003.
Now, Lemaire likes how the game is being officiated and believes the days of protecting a 1-0 lead by clutching and grabbing are over.
“It’s good for the game. It’s great for the game,” said Lemaire, the only coach in Wild history. “Now it seems the referees, they’re not afraid to call a team that should be called.”
Chelios, 46, returns to ice
Chris Chelios took the ice for the Detroit Red Wings against Phoenix on Saturday night for the first time this season, his 25th in the NHL. The Red Wings defeated the Coyotes 5-4 in a shootout. The 46-year-old defenseman has been out since the preseason after fracturing his right tibia.
On the ice
Bruins 4, Thrashers 2: At Boston, Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 15 games and Michael Ryder scored two goals to lead Boston to a victory over Atlanta.
Sabres 4, Devils 2: At Newark, N.J., Thomas Vanek scored his NHL-leading 23rd and 24th goals to send Buffalo to the win.
Flyers 6, Penguins 3: At Philadelphia, Mike Knuble scored twice to help Philadelphia win its fourth straight game and improve to 7-0-2 in its past nine home games.