Brian Boyle expresses desire to continue NHL career

In Tuesday's addition of 31 Thoughts, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that 13-year NHL veteran Brian Boyle still wants to play.

Friedman said that every day, Boyle will drive his son to catch the bus for school, and then head off to train with either a local junior team, or Ivy League players that had their season cancelled due to COVID-19.

"I get to be a dad, and the kids get a little continuity," Boyle said to Friedman on Monday.

"I miss it," he said. "I didn't expect it to go this way. When I watch games, I think I can still play with how I feel and how my body feels."

Boyle told Friedman that several teams called him in the off-season to see if he was interested in playing, but nothing materialized.

"No one was saying no to the possibility. It would be one thing if everyone was saying no. It was more like... waiting. I understand, it's the way of the world — everything is screwed up because of the cap and COVID. But I know I'm not done, and I'm ready for anything."

Boyle was curious to see how players his age would adjust to the NHL's condensed schedule, and was focusing on watching Stars forward Joe Pavelski, and Penguins forward Sidney Crosby.

"With less travel, less video, less scouting ... you can see how Pavelski and Sidney Crosby will themselves to turn it on. You can thrive with veteran savvy."

Boyle, 36, was drafted in the first round, 26th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. As mentioned, he's played 13 seasons in the NHL with the Kings, Rangers, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Devils, Predators, and Panthers. In 805 regular season games, Boyle's tallied 231 points (130 G, 101 A), 588 penalty minutes, and is a -48. In 118 career playoff games, he has 31 points (16 G, 15 A), 106 penalty minutes, and is a -7.

Source: 31 Thoughts - Elliotte Friedman

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