Glen Sather moved quickly to land his top target.
The Rangers general manager nabbed veteran defenseman Dan Boyle on a two-year, $9 million deal at the open of free agency Tuesday, sources said.
Boyle, 38, will replace departing blue-liner Anton Stralman on the second pairing and will be the point man on the first-unit power play, filling a major need.
“Dan has always wanted to play for the Rangers,” Boyle’s agent, George Bazos, told The Post. “We told teams that if the Rangers made an offer, the decision wasn’t going to be about money.
“He’s excited about playing in New York and with Marty [St. Louis] again. He thinks he’s a perfect fit for the way they play.”
Boyle’s rights were traded by the Sharks to the Islanders on June 5 for a conditional 2015 fifth-round pick. A Stanley Cup champion as St. Louis’ teammate with the Lightning in 2004, he had 12 goals and 24 assists for San Jose this past season.
The Rangers also re-signed center Dominic Moore to a two-year contract worth $1.5 million per, and added fourth-line winger Tanner Glass on a three-year, $4.35 million pact.
The Rangers did, however, lose forward Benoit Pouliot, who signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the Oilers. The Penguins also were making a strong push for Pouliot, sources said, but couldn’t approach the money Edmonton was offering.
Pouliot, a key piece for the Rangers last season with 15 goals and 21 assists in 80 games, had played the past five seasons on one-year deals.
The Oilers also landed Devils defenseman Mark Fayne, who was a Rangers contingency plan had they been unable to sign Boyle. Fayne inked a four-year, $14 million deal.
The Devils moved to sign winger Mike Cammalleri for five years and $25 million. They also picked up winger Marty Havlat on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.
The Islanders picked up goalie Chad Johnson (two years, $2.6 million) and defenseman T.J. Brennan (one year, $600,000).