Sharks parting ways with veteran Dan Boyle; Brent Burns moving back to defense
San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson announced Thursday the team would not be offering a new contract to Dan Boyle, ending the veteran defenseman's tenure with the team.
#SJSharks GM Doug Wilson says that defenseman Dan Boyle will not be returning to the team this upcoming season.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 15, 2014
Boyle, 37, recorded 36 points in 75 games in his sixth season with San Jose. He added four assists in the opening four games of the first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, but was held off the scoresheet in the final three contests as Los Angeles rallied to knock the Sharks out of the playoffs.
Wilson appeciation for Boyle: "I can't say enough about the type of guy he is, the player, everything he brought to the table for us."
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 15, 2014
Boyle was in the final season of a six-year, $40-million deal, meaning his absence will free up plenty of cap space to improve the Sharks roster. His departure also means Brent Burns will once again be a defenseman. Burns began his career on the blue line but San Jose has employed him effectively at forward in recent seasons.
Some Sharks beat reporters were quick to offer tributes to the franchise's all-time leader in goals (54) and assists (175):
#ThanksDanBoyle Trend it. pic.twitter.com/4fNe8wrXgn
— Brodie Brazil (@brodiebrazilCSN) May 15, 2014