New York Rangers Closing in on Free-Agent Signing

The New York Rangers are looking at a familiar face for some depth as the team has reached out to veteran forward Brian Boyle about playing this season in the Big Apple.

The 36-year-old free agent appeared in 39 games last season for the Florida Panthers putting up 15 points. Boyle hasn't played for the Rangers since 2014 and has since made stops in New Jersey, Florida, Nashville, Toronto and Tampa Bay.

The faceoff specialist and above average penalty killer would give the Rangers some depth for the bottom of their roster and bring in a mentor for some of the younger players. Boyle's been through a lot in his career and knows first-hand how to deal with adversity. He's never flashy but he always gets the job done.

The Rangers have infamously struggled at the faceoff dot as Greg McKegg is their most efficient at the draw so it makes a ton of sense for the team to consider Boyle.

As per the New York Post:

The Post has learned that the team has checked in with Boyle, who was one of the key forces through the team’s ascension at the start of the last decade. Let’s make it clear. A contract offer is not around the corner. As we understand it, management has advised Boyle that the team is taking a wait-and-see approach with the kids.

Boyle has been over 50 percent at the dots in each of his last nine seasons in the league through which he has evolved into a standup leader and the quintessential fourth-liner who kills penalties, wins draws and can move up in the lineup when and if necessary. His personal story, having survived chronic myelogenous leukemia, is of course an inspiring one. He commands respect wherever he goes.