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Feaster May Offer Boyle Extension

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 3, 2008

TAMPA The absence and presence of D Dan Boyle on the ice each stand out for the same reason - he means that much to the Lightning attack.

How much longer he remains, however, is one of the major questions that will be answered in the coming weeks leading up to the Feb. 26 trade deadline.

Lightning GM Jay Feaster said during Tuesday's nationally televised game he intends to speak to the agent for Boyle, George Bazos, about a possible contract extension before Boyle becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.

And while Feaster has historically been opposed to negotiating contracts in-season, he acknowledged there are now exceptions he has to consider.

"Philosophically, I have always been opposed to negotiating with a player during the season," he said. "However, I have come to the conclusion that you have to do it in some cases under this new CBA, and this is one of those times."

How the whole sale situation transpires - which could come as soon as next week with the anticipated announcement of a purchase agreement to sell the team to Oren Koules - might have as much to say in the situation as anything else. In the open market, Boyle, 31, could potentially receive a contract worth $6-$7 million per season.

With a salary cap hit over $19 million already invested in Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Marty St. Louis, Koules and Feaster will have to determine whether they want to tie up that much in four players.

But if a deal can't be worked out, Feaster's hand may be forced and no doubt teams will line up to acquire Boyle's services before the deadline. Chicago is believed to be the most interested and have scouted the Lightning extensively the past two weeks, as have Phoenix and Ottawa, who were both in attendance Saturday.

"In the end, you can't lose significant assets for nothing should they elect to leave the organization as unrestricted free agents," Feaster said.

QUICK OUT: Kevin Quick, a third-round draft pick in 2006, was dismissed from the top-ranked University of Michigan hockey program Friday night 21 games into his freshman year.

Michigan coach Red Berenson did not specify the infraction, but told the Ann Arbor News: "Obviously, it was serious enough that we had to let him go," Berenson said. "It was just a total violation of our team trust and our rules."

Quick, 19, is considered an NHL-caliber offensive defenseman who is ranked the organization's No. 9 prospect according to boltprospects.com and 12th by Hockey's Future.

Feaster said in a statement the team has already been in contact with the Quick family advisor, but has not had an opportunity to talk to him.

Quick's options are believed to include transferring to a different NCAA program next season, playing junior hockey or possibly sign a pro contract.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Vinny Prospal's second-period goal was Tampa Bay's third this year during four-on-four play. … Tampa Bay fell to 2-15-1 when trailing after the first period.

Erik Erlendsson

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