Dan Boyle’s short tenure with the New York Rangers is over. The defenseman had a tough end to his stint in the Big Apple after signing a two-year deal worth $9 million in 2014. Boyle was a good possession player while scoring 24 points in 2015-16, but ended his career in the press box as a healthy scratch against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Rangers first round loss.
Boyle is likely retiring, but in his exit interviews the defenseman made sure to get in some parting shots against the New York media. He ripped the New York Post’s Larry Brooks and Brett Cyrgalis, telling reporters he didn’t want the duo near him. (transcription via Puck Daddy)
“I don’t want him here,” said Boyle.
“What?” Brooks said. “You know, the feeling’s mutual, man.”
“Nobody likes you. Nobody respects you. Just so you know,” said Boyle.
“OK,” said Brooks.
“At least I’m leaving here with the respect of my teammates,” said Boyle.
There was some cross talk, before Boyle said, “I have no respect for you. I want you to get the [expletive] out.”
“I don’t care what you think,” said Brooks.
“I can tell you to get the [expletive] out if I want to!” said Boyle, his voice now raised.
“You can, but I don’t have to listen to you,” said Brooks.
“Yeah, ya do!” said Boyle. “I want him out. And that other [expletive] clown, Brett, or whatever the [expletive] his name is. Everyone else is fine. I want him out. It’s my right.”
What was Boyle so mad about? Well, Brooks and Cyrgalis haven’t exactly been kind to the 39-year-old, constantly ripping him in their columns.
Here’s an example from a Larry Brooks article titled “Rangers can’t undo Dan Boyle signing – but they can bench him written in October. ”
“Boyle, publicly one of the least accountable players to come down the pike here in a while (which is not to suggest he is or is not accountable in his interactions with the coaching staff, for that’s a behind-the-blue-door kind of thing), is 39 and on the final season of his two-year, $9 million, over-35 contract that includes a no-move clause.”
There are many more columns where Brooks and Cyrgalis don’t write about Boyle favorably. Cyrgalis commented after the interaction that he did his job.
Response to Dan Boyle? I did my job. Not sure he ever did his.
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) April 26, 2016
Regardless of what the two reporters wrote, an exit interview isn’t the place to try to go after them. Although, it is warranted why Boyle’s upset. Still, it’s an ugly way to go out.
