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Forum: Talk Lightning
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Guys, wanted to pass along a couple of comments from my conversation with Dan Boyle. Needless to say, he’s not happy with how the ownership group handled this situation.
I’ll give you two quotes to get you thinking about what will be in the newspaper tomorrow.
“I understand at the end of the day that it’s a business, this is a business. I understand that more than anybody. But there is a way to conduct business, and the way that my situation was handled was absolutely not the way to do it. I, for a long time now, have been under the impression that I was part of this team going forward, wanting input from me on other players, and never in a million years did I think that I was one of the guys that needed to go. Just a few days ago [media were told] that the rumors were a joke, Dan Boyle is going to play 25 minutes, he’s not being traded, he’s not going anywhere. They made it clear that we are not going to go after an offensive-defenseman [in free agency] because we have the best one in the league. Now, going back to business-is-business, when I find out from an absolutely ton of different sources that my [butt] has been on the trading block since I signed the extension, that to me, is not the way you do business. If [they] wanted to get rid of me, let me know. There is a way to do that, it’s been done in the past, just say that “Danny, it’s just not going to work’’ just let me know. And that’s just not the way it’s done. And that really pisses me off.’‘
And one more to whet your appetite:
“It got to the point where once it probably a few days ago, when I was threatened, that they just didn’t care and that my [butt] is going to end up on waivers and end up in Atlanta. That’s just not the way you do business. I don’t know if I have too much class or what, because I don’t want to say exactly what was said, but when it gets personal like it did, the line was crossed. When my work ethic is questioned, my off-season work ethic and the way I get ready for games and what I do is questioned, and it gets personal, and I’m threatened, that is absolutely the way not to do business. And I feel sad because I can’t say one thing bad, even with all the ups and downs and battles I had with [former coach John Tortorella], at the end of the day there was respect. In this case I was absolutely blindsided by this whole situation. I know what the response is, that things happen quickly, it’s a business, but that’s not the case when Im told one thing and I find out months later that the complete opposite went on behind my back.’‘
UPDATE
In response to Boyle’s comments, here is what co-owners Len Barrie and Oren Koules had to say:
“I think one thing you ask around about my character or Oren’s, we are straight shooters and I’ve never been accused of being nothing but straight,’’ Barrie said. “It’s too bad he feels that way, but if Wayne Gretzky can be traded then Dan Boyle can be traded.
“Dan has been a great player for Tampa Bay, and I played with Dan so that’s why I’ve tried to stay out of it because I really like Dan as a person and as a player. But this was a decision we made to get younger and create some space to pay our forwards what we need to pay. And I think it’s going to be a great trade for both teams.’‘
And this from Koules:
“Dan is very passionate about being a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and that’s something that I will always respect about Dan.’’
Posted by WilliamL, Tampa on 07/07 at 02:06 PM
This was a good deal that “appears” to have been handled poorly. I am a Lightning fan who loves Dan Boyle. But team always comes before player in my eyes. But when you have to part ways with a fan favorite, or any player for that matter, you need to do it with dignity. Maybe doing it this way was the only way to get Boyle to approve the deal in light of his no-trade clause. If so, it may have been a necessary evil. I hated to see Richards go, but I think the team is better off from that deal, too. Don;t be blinded by your love for individual players. The ownership wants to win, and they have shown that in the aggressiveness in the free agent market. Hopefully, it amounts to a quick turnaround from the worst record in the NHL.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/07 at 03:47 AM
Henry,
I agree completely with what you are saying. When criticism is equated with being a shallow fan, I think that the politically correctors have gone too far. A good fan sees the good and bad and isn’t afraid to acknowledge the truth.
In this case, ownership is crud; but, that doesn’t make me be less a fan, in spite of the crud that owns it.
Posted by henry bogota, beer line on 07/07 at 02:53 AM
Any Bucs fans here? Anyone remember how John Lynch was unceremoniously run out of town? OK et al are the newest members of the local Brucie Allen classless sports management club.
This is not about the player’s abilites or how old he is or how much money he makes. It’s an ethical issue that applies to every line of business, sports or otherwise. The new owners have taken little time to show what kind of moral fiber they have. I’ve never seen any leadership quality posters proclaiming disrespect and dishonesty.
And this is nothing about being a bandwagon fan either. You can still support your team while not supporting the organization running it. Just the same as you can love your country while voicing dissent against the government.
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 07/06 at 02:57 PM
first off…im not a bandwagon fan…been a season ticket holder for a while now…secondly i dont sit on the lower “bowl”...lol… you mean lower level…and if i dont want to renew my tickets because i dont like what the ownership is doing and the signicant price jump in tixs…i think i have the right to…doesnt mean im not a fan…
Posted by matt, on 07/06 at 08:10 AM
“because of this i wont be renewing my season tickets…“THIS IS BULL S#$T!...GOOD LUCK DAN…YOU YOU WILL BE MISSED…”
Good, hopefully you had lower bowl, I need to up-grade. Thanks for putting tickets back out there for the REAL FANS!!!! Go jump back off the wagon. Im sure when the Bolts start winning you’ll be right back on like you never left, eh… It’s about the name on the front not the name on the back, loser!!!! I know you just were elected president of the Boyle fan club, but it will be ok.
Posted by matt, on 07/06 at 08:04 AM
“So now we know their true colors! Too bad all the fans would not unite and boycott the Forum on their first home game here! Not that most of us can afford to go to the games any longer. Be careful, Vinny, you may get traded to Montreal yet! After all, it’s just a business! Not only a slap in the face to Boyle but a slap in the face to all Bolts fans!”
Dont lump all of us in with your crying as$! I am glad the turnover machine got the shaft. Carle is a younger better version of Boyle. After next year it will be Boyle who?
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/05 at 07:05 PM
Actually, this team already promises to be much more interesting to watch than last year’s edition. They certainly will be bigger and tougher to play against,which will keep people on their feet more often.
Go Bolts
Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 07/05 at 07:00 PM
because of this i wont be renewing my season tickets…“THIS IS BULL S#$T!...GOOD LUCK DAN…YOU YOU WILL BE MISSED…
Posted by TampaFan, Tampa on 07/05 at 05:38 PM
Do you people honestly think the Lightning tell the press everything? What we hear is like any other business - we hear what we want and they want us to hear. Maybe I don’t agree with everything that is going on but people its not like he is losing his salary and starting over—he keeps his contract and moves on. Such is life. It happens in businesses everyday. Move on. Let’s see what the new owners do as far as getting some solid D to help out. I can’t believe the whining going on here!!!
Posted by berlin, sartasota on 07/05 at 04:30 PM
Screw this new ownership I’m pissed too.Who would you believe in the way it went down Dan Boyle(loyal player) or Oren K.(hotshot hollywood executive)?They’ve made a BIG mistake! We may have ourselves a Daniel Snyder or Al Davis on our hands.Let your general manager manage,or get a new manager.Feaster’s turned into their puppet.Not sure Oren will be able to fit his head into the forum.
Posted by northbeach Sott, Brookhaven, GA on 07/05 at 04:06 PM
Do we have professional hockey in Atlanta? I thought the Knights left a few years ago.
Seriously, the Thrashers have the most incompentent ownership group and GM-Don Waddell in the NHL. Any decent hockey player would do anything to avoid playing here. The Thrashers are five years from their next playoff berth.
Fans in Atlanta have so many options for entertainment and have endured so many bad professional sports seasons that they make for a lousy crowd. Even the Lightning with mullet boy and the Glitz twin owners are a better organization.
Regardless, f**k the Lightning handling Boyle this shabbily. Go Sharks!
Posted by Kevin, Naples on 07/05 at 12:33 PM
Gonna miss ya, Danny. Best of luck in California. Thanks for the memories!
Posted by Mary, Tampa on 07/05 at 11:23 AM
Straight shooter, huh Barrie?
If the quotes are accurate you said “Dan Boyle is the best puck-moving defenseman & you can’t replace him.” Then the next quote was ” we want to create a younger team.” Dan said he was blindsided. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. Barrie/owners lost all credibility. Dan Boyle is the BEST and in the PRIME of his career. Just wish I could’ve seen it in Tampa. I’m heartbroken. Trying to do the Zen - not working. What I want to say about the owners THEY WON’T PRINT.
Love ya Dan!!
Posted by carl, Tampa on 07/05 at 11:07 AM
Dale, you know how many times that line has been used by reporters, owners, GM’s? It is nothing more than a figure of speech used by many in hockey. Because if the “Great One” can get traded, why can’t I…..nothing more, nothing less.
Posted by dale, fl on 07/05 at 10:51 AM
Barrie said. “It’s too bad he feels that way, but if Wayne Gretzky can be traded then Dan Boyle can be traded.
If that’s not a personal knock by Barrie towards Dan then what is? They may have stated that it is bussiness but it gor personal.
Posted by carl, Tampa on 07/05 at 10:29 AM
Players per the CBA can have one of two clauses if they can get management to agree. They are the No trade clause (NTC) or the no movement clause (NMC). Boyle negotiated the NTC. All this clause says is that the player can say no to a trade, but he can be waived. The NMC says you can not move the player, thus he can not be trade, waived or demoted.
So if Dan says no to a trade why is it so wrong for the owner to take advantage of their own rights per the CBA. Would it not have been worse if they had let Dan say no, then turn around and waive him without giving him any warning? At least they told him all of the facts to allow him the chance to make an informed decision.
Posted by B. Thenet, ATL on 07/05 at 09:00 AM
I don’t see why Boyle wouldn’t have wanted to go to Atlanta. We have had a better record than the Lightning the last two seasons, plus our management seems to think that improving your defense is a wise way to improve teams that gave up 60 more goals than they scored(especially when 6 teams made the playoffs scoring the same or less goals than the Lightning last season)
Posted by Steve Ott, Valrico on 07/05 at 08:29 AM
Most Hockey “experts” rank Dan one of the top 4 puck moving D-men in the league. Does anyone remember the turmoil last year with Dan out, ownership in question (twice), injuries, trades and a lot of young players. Plus a coach that suggested himself that maybe he should move on? Are you really going to pin the leadership thing on Dan. Vinny and Marty played all year. Are you bashing them? Time will tell all, but don’t be stupid. Thats as bad as being a homer.
Posted by Richard Sewer, Tampa on 07/05 at 08:19 AM
Just because you have a lot of money does not mean you have Class!These guys are reckless with no REAL plan…..
OK says this was a Business move and was not planned for months, well than I guess they had a bad business plan, how do you go over budget in a week and create this problem…these guys know nothing about Business…The Vegas Lightning!
2 million for Gary Roberts….need I say More…Good Luck DB…Bring the cup back to Tampa in the Summer!
Posted by victor e. victor, PINE-el lass on 07/05 at 02:21 AM
Dan, get a grip. You are getting 6.5 MILLION per year to play a game. Plus, Dan, you are not that good! You were lucky that bozo Feaster gave you an inflated contract. Don’t complain. Take the money and go away. We are looking forward to having some defensemen who can play DEFENSE!
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/05 at 12:55 AM
Berliner,
I very much agree with you. If Boyle were the be all and end all of defensemen that some seem to claim, then why didn’t the team play better when he was in the game than when he was out? Leadership is the ability to lead the team to triumph, not just to get a big fat contract and let it go to your head.
With the changes that have been made so far, it would seem that the next upgrade will be for the defense with a quality leader and player who can actually play defense.
It’s time to move on to the next step.
Posted by Berliner, Tampa, FL on 07/05 at 12:39 AM
And Heaven forbid Paul Ranger and Shane O’Brien actually have to step out from the shadows of others and position themselves as forces to be reckoned with. I know Ranger has it in him, but someone has to push this kid. He is too talented to not be a breakout performer this year.
And for any Bouwmeester rumors that might pop up, I truly dont see it, unless he is willing to take a discount to play here. He is going to command $4.75-5.25mm per year and I really dont see him being that much more of an upside than Smith.
Flame away…
Posted by Berliner, Tampa, FL on 07/05 at 12:35 AM
At least as I read your comments I can tell who the ‘ultra-homers’ are. Maybe tomorrow we will all be a little less emotional.
Jane from DC,
They were worse with Boyle than without. And they sucked either way. Whether or not he was in the lineup, there was a good chance we were going to lose. But with him in the lineup, they should have done a lot more winning. No other premier defensemen in the league makes his team worse when he plays.
If we get Smith (very likely) then we have our stay at home defensemen that should be signed for 2 years, $5-$6mm total. And he is an incredible locker room guy (according to Oilers/Flyers insiders alike) that will mentor this young D. This is exactly the kind of guy Melrose is looking for on his bench.
Posted by Jane G, tampa on 07/04 at 11:33 PM
great article about Boyle Erik. But I dont think I have ever heard a player so pissed in my life. Boyle has every right to be pissed. I am pretty much at a loss for words because Boyle was not treated with the respect that he deserves and that all players deserve but I have lost all respect for the owners and I agree with Boyle that this is an absolute joke. As much as I like some of the other players I hope they get out while they still can because it seems that these owners arent in it for the players at all. its all about them and they are the cool hollywood people. if they truly wanted to put a good product on the ice and wanted fans to spend money to come to games then you dont get rid of the good players that the fans come to see
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Posted by patrick dotson, tampa,fl on 07/07 at 10:25 PM
the prblem with this team is the samething its been missing since our 04 season…goaltending…