Flyers free-agent target: Dan Boyle

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Each day from now until July 1, the day free agency begins, Sarah Baicker and Tim Riday will profile some of the NHL's top impending free agents and project their likelihood of signing with the Flyers.

Dan Boyle, defenseman
Age: 37
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190
Last team: New York Islanders
2013-14 cap hit: $6.6 million

Scouting report
Boyle, who signed with the Florida Panthers in 1998 after going undrafted out of Miami University, is one of the smoothest puck-moving defensemen in the NHL. He's consistently produced offensively throughout his 16-year career, eclipsing 30 or more points nine times. And, despite his small stature, he's no slouch in his own end. The veteran blueliner has also shined on hockey's biggest stages. He helped the Tampa Bay Lightning hoist the Stanley Cup in 2004 and was a key contributor for Team Canada in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, where he won his first and only gold medal.

Last season in San Jose, Boyle had 12 goals and 24 assists in 75 games, but the Sharks announced after the season that he wouldn't be returning. San Jose traded his rights to the New York Islanders earlier this month in exchange for a conditional 2015 fifth-round pick. Talks between the Isles and Boyle have reportedly broken down and the team is now hoping to deal his rights before free agency opens on July 1.

Baicker's projection
Paul Holmgren always seemed to have a thing for signing these aging veterans to deals that were for too much and too long (see: Mark Streit). I have a gut feeling that Ron Hextall will look to move away from such signings, and for that reason, I don't see the Flyers acquiring Boyle this offseason, even though the Flyers' interest in him at last season's trade deadline was well publicized. Yes, he's a workhorse, and yes, he's steady in both ends of the ice. But at 37 and coming off a $6.6 million cap hit, I just don't think he's worth it. The Flyers already signed an undersized aging veteran this offseason in Kimmo Timonen, and he came at a discount. No need to add another.

Riday's projection
You can argue Boyle's career is on the decline, but he's still more than capable of playing a big role on any team's blue line. At 37 years old, you can put your money on Boyle signing with a contender. He only has a few more years left in the tank at best and he'd like another shot at the Cup before hanging up the skates. As Sarah mentioned above, the Flyers have already inked Timonen this offseason, so I wouldn't expect Ron Hextall to make signing another veteran toward the end of his career a priority. Boyle would certainly be an upgrade, but his price tag could be too high. Don't forget, the Flyers have three defensive prospects -- Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg and Sam Morin -- who will likely get a serious look in camp. The Flyers, especially Hextall, seem more interested in finding out if any of the youngsters are NHL-ready than anything else.

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