Dan Boyle got his payday. The question is, will it pay off?
Boyle signed a two-year, $5.05-million contract Wednesday that rewarded him for a breakout season in which he led Lightning defensemen in goals and assists, led the team in ice time and tied for its second-best plus-minus rating.
Now all he has to do is do it again.
"A guy making that much money, the expectations are greater as is the pressure greater to succeed," general manager Jay Feaster said. "You're one of the top-paid players on the team. You need to be one of the top producers, there's no question about that."
"I understand that and I'm ready for that," Boyle said. "A lot of people might not expect me to do it again, the one-hit wonder. But I can only tell you how I feel, and I'm confident in what I can do out there. I expect a lot out of myself. Others' expectations may have changed but mine certainly haven't."
Boyle had personal highs of eight goals, 18 assists and 66 games before last season when he averaged 24:30 of ice time, had 13 goals, 40 assists and was plus-9 in 77 games. His 53 points were fifth among NHL defensemen.
Boyle, 27, will make $2.3-million next season, a $1.45-million raise from the $850,000 he made in 2002-03. He will make $2.75-million in 2004-05. Incentives could add another $500,000.
It's a hefty raise but not out of line when considering Tom Poti. The Rangers defenseman finished behind Boyle in almost every offensive category but went to arbitration and will make $5.9-million during the next two seasons.
Boyle's agent, George Bazos, said his client did not file for arbitration because last season was the first in which he played at least 70 games, "so there weren't a lot of comparables."
Bazos said the contract is fair. It recognizes Boyle's achievements and protects the Lightning in case the player has another, as Bazos called it, "monster year."
"They have him locked in and don't have to worry about his salary exploding, so it's a fair deal for everyone," Bazos said. "And Dan's happy."
"Am I going to get 53 points again? I don't know," Boyle said. "As long as the team gets better and makes the playoffs, and I'm a part of that."
New offer to Richards
The Lightning is waiting to hear from Brad Richards' agent, Pat Morris, after upping its contract offer to the fourth-year center and its last unsigned player.
Feaster would not say how much is on the table, but it's believed he offered a four-year deal worth about $13-million and three-year deal worth about $8-million.
That is up from the four-year, $10.2-million deal with which the Lightning opened negotiations and which matched the contract given Vinny Lecavalier after he finished his first three seasons.
"We've countered with a three-year offer and a four-year offer that are significant and recognize how much better his performance was on the entry level than the numbers posted by Vinny," Feaster said.
Richards posted 198 points his first three seasons, Lecavalier 146.
It is believed Morris' first offers were for one- or two-year deals at about $3-million a season. Both would leave intact Richards' arbitration rights, which kick in after five pro seasons.
"They've sent a new proposal we're in the process of reviewing," Morris said. "We view the counterproposal as a start in regards to recognizing Brad's contributions and we'll continue to talk and negotiate. I expect I'll be back to them quite soon."
Around the league
COYOTES: Goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier, acquired as a potential replacement for Sean Burke, had surgery to repair a hernia and will miss training camp.
PANTHERS: Free-agent defenseman Todd Gill, 37, signed a one-year contract.
RANGERS: Defenseman Darius Kasparaitis had successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and is expected to be ready for training camp Sept. 10.
RED WINGS: Curtis Joseph had ankle surgery to remove a bone chip, adding another potential obstacle to Detroit's attempt to trade its highly paid extra goalie. ... Left wing Ryan Barnes signed a one-year contract.
- Information from Times wires was used in this report.
