If all Rangers centers were presented and accounted for, Brian Boyle would likely have opened training camp on the wing and Oscar Lindberg would probably be auditioning for a spot sometime down the road.
But with Derek Stepan absent due to the negotiating divide that did not narrow over the weekend, Boyle is in the middle and Lindberg may be in the mix.
“Considering the players available to us, Brian is a center,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “It’s a valid question [whether he would be on the wing if Stepan were in camp], but I can’t answer that right now because he’s not here.”
Stepan and the Rangers are believed to be separated by approximately $1 million over two years. The center is believed to be seeking in the neighborhood of $7 million on a two-year bridge deal while the Blueshirts are thought to have offered just under $6 million.
The club appears to have between $3-$3.5 million of available cap space depending upon the final roster. That number will increase early in the season once the rehabbing Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin are able to join the lineup and their replacements are sent to the AHL Wolf Pack.
But that doesn’t necessarily help Stepan’s bargaining power any more than a hard line from general manager Glen Sather advances the process.
Without Stepan, the Rangers’ middle features Brad Richards, Derick Brassard, Boyle, Dominic Moore, and the 21-year-old Lindberg. J.T. Miller, who can play both center and the wing, is dealing with a hamstring issue that kept him off the ice Sunday and will have him playing catchup when he’s healthy.
Boyle was in the middle of it during the scrimmage, scoring twice, using his body, and consistently going hard to the net. Lindberg, who centered Taylor Pyatt and Jesper Fast, scored on a nifty rising wrist shot from the slot while his team was on the power play.
“You can see that he’s played with men,” Vigneault said of Lindberg, who played the last three seasons with Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League. “Him being a centerman right now at this time, with that amount of speed and puck protection skill that he has, he’s going to get a real solid look.
“He’s impressed not only myself and the coaching staff, but he’s impressed management since Traverse City [rookie tournament],” he said. “So there’s a possible surprise that, as I mentioned, talent has no age.”
Boyle, 28, is coming off a washout season. There are few players on the roster who are more grateful for the “Clean Slate” philosophy that has permeated the first days of training camp. The fact is Boyle, operating on the final year of his contract under which he carries a $1.7 million cap hit, could become available if the club shakes up its personnel.
“I wanted to hit the ground running,” said Boyle. “I want them to want me because I want to be here.”
Vigneault made reference to Boyle’s competitive nature and his willingness to do whatever is asked of him in assessing the 6-foot-7 forward.
“What stands out to me is that he wants to win,” Vigneault said. “He’s been asking questions and has been very involved in all the video sessions.
“He wants to get on the same page. Whatever role is asked of him, he’s willing to do.”