The New York Rangers had their final media availability of the 2015-16 season on Tuesday and it ended with some tense moments when veteran defenseman Dan Boyle swore at a couple of reporters and tried to have them kicked out of his media scrum.
His play this season was a regular target for criticism in the New York media, and before he answered questions insisted that the two Rangers' writers from the New York Post -- Larry Brooks and Brett Cyrgalis -- leave the area. Cyrgalis, who is now covering the New York Islanders in their second round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, was not even present at the interview.
Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski has the entire exchange that featured Boyle telling Brooks that "nobody likes you" and "nobody respects you," before repeatedly asking him to leave.
More of the exchange, via Puck Daddy:
“At least I’m leaving here with the respect of my teammates,” said Boyle. "Instead of [expletive] someone like you, who tries to bury somebody. That's all you do. It's not a critique. I'm telling you I don't want you here. 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. Where's he at? Everyone else is fine. I want him out. It’s my right."
Rangers staff stepped in to calm the scene down, and suggested Boyle not speak to the media at that time.
And it continued on from there.
This is not the first time a member of the Rangers has taken issue with Brooks and his at times critical coverage of the team. His encounters with former Rangers coach John Tortorella, for example, are legendary.
Like this one.
As for Boyle, it was an at times difficult season for the 17-year NHL veteran, and it ended on Saturday afternoon with a healthy scratch in the Rangers' 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 5 of their first round series.
Obviously after nearly two decades and more than 1,000 games in the league Boyle was not the player he was at his peak (and he was outstanding for a long time). But for as much as he struggled at times this year he hardly seemed to be the biggest problem area on the Rangers' defense. The unit as a whole was ultimately their greatest weakness during the regular season, and especially in their first round series against the Penguins when they consistently left starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist on an island to fend for himself.
If anything the decision to scratch him in Game 5 was a bizarre one from a Rangers perspective because he was one of the few defensemen on the roster that could actually move the puck a little bit and make a play from the blue line.
But when it comes to what happened on Tuesday, these encounters are going to happen from time to time. They just do not usually happen out in the open in front of everybody.
From a media side, the job requires assessment and evaluation of a player's performance on the ice, and sometimes that can be brutally honest and critical
From a player perspective, they're only human, and that criticism can sting for any number of reasons, whether it's because the criticism is misplaced, becomes personal, or is just ... well ... harsh.
It's only natural at that point to become defensive, and sometimes it boils over.
In two years with the Rangers Boyle appeared in 139 regular season games, scoring 19 goals to go with 25 assists. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
In 1,039 career games he has scored 163 goals and 442 points with the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks and Rangers. He won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004.
