Penguins sign forward Brian Boyle to 1-year contract

TAMPA, Fla. — Before he even formally became a member of the Penguins, Brian Boyle already had his image plastered on one of their walls.

“There’s a picture of him getting stoned by (former goaltender Matt) Murray walking into the rink at PPG (Paints Arena),” forward Bryan Rust said. “I’m sure he didn’t like seeing that.”

Boyle was probably sated on Tuesday morning by the sight of a new contract. The Penguins signed him to a one-year deal worth a league minimum of $750,000 after he attended training camp on a professional tryout contract (PTO).

Entering his 14th season, Boyle appeared in four preseason games for the Penguins and did not record a point.

The 36-year-old sat out all of the 2020-21 NHL season as a result of not getting any offers to play.

“I’m really thankful and appreciative of the opportunity,” Boyle said. “And excited to do what I love to do.”

What Boyle (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) will be expected to do as a member of the Penguins is shore up their group of bottom-six forwards, specifically as the center of the fourth line. He is slated to open the season on that line with Drew O’Connor on his left wing and Sam Lafferty at right wing.

“He’s obviously a veteran presence,” defenseman Kris Letang said. “He’s been in the league for a long time. He’s got a calm presence. He’s got big size, big frame. Plays a physical game, a good two-way player, (his penalty killing) is really effective. Right from the beginning of training camp, when we were playing the special (teams), I kind of understand playing with him, how good he is.”

Letang and many members of the Penguins have played against Boyle for several years, particularly in playoff series against the New York Rangers (2014 and 2015) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2016).

During Game 4 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Final between these two teams, Boyle got the best of Letang in a scrum that resulted in Letang taking two minor penalties to Boyle’s one.

“I’ve been on the wrong side of a couple of battles between me and him,” Letang said. “It’s fun to have a guy like that on your team now.”

Boyle’s return to the NHL was appreciated by his former employer as well.

“You cheer for guys and you really cheer for good guys,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “Brian Boyle had a big impact on our organization. We were trying to take a step. It was early in my career. We went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final (2015) and Boyle was a big part of that. He’s a class kid. He works his (backside) off. He’s a really team-first type player. There’s a reason he finds his way to other teams because he helps you win. He was a big part of our organization taking steps forward. I’m glad he’s caught on with somebody else.”

As is Boyle.

“I still had a passion,” Boyle said. “I still wanted to get back in and play. This is obviously challenging but it’s really a rewarding life to be able to play in this league.”

Notes:

With the NHL’s calendar year officially starting on Tuesday, the Penguins made a series of transactions in addition to signing Boyle

• Malkin was placed on long-term injured reserve as he recovers from offseason surgery to his right knee. General manager Ron Hextall has previously indicated Malkin will be sidelined a minimum of two months.

• Crosby’s status was changed to injured non-roster. This designation allows the team to not include him to their limit of 23 players on the active roster.

Crosby is still recovering from offseason surgery on his left wrist.

• Forward Zach Aston-Reese was placed on the NHL’s covid-19 protocol list. The team initially announced he had tested positive for covid-19 on Sept. 27.

• Forwards Anthony Angello and Drew O’Connor were officially recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL). Each player was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday in what were paper transactions designed to maximize the money the team could save against its salary cap figure before officially placing Malkin on long-term injured reserve.

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