Sabres' Johnny Boychuk: Contract traded to Buffalo
Rotowire
Boychuk (eye) was traded to the Sabres from the Islanders in exchange for future considerations Thursday.
Boychuk is essentially retired due to his long-term eye injury, but he still carries a $6 million cap hit, and adding his salary will help Buffalo get over the cap floor following the trade that sent Jack Eichel (neck) to Vegas. Boychuk will likely officially announce his retirement following the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Headed for long-term IR
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Boychuk (eye) will be placed on long-term injured reserve by the Islanders, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
This should not come as a shock, as Boychuk's career ended due to an eye injury in 2020. This is the last season that Boychuk is under contract with the team.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Still with the team
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Boychuk (eye) has been an unofficial coach for the Islanders this season, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Boychuk has been on the ice for the Isles during some practices and is also learning from general manager Lou Lamoriello during games. Boychuk's playing days are over due to the injury, but his contract still runs through the 2021-22 season. He has not stated if he wants to remain in hockey, but a coaching or front office role could be in his future.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Officially placed on LTIR
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Boychuk was officially placed on LTIR by the Islanders on Wednesday, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Boychuk has unofficially retired from playing in the NHL, as an eye injury suffered last season has ended his career. The Islanders have elected to place him on LTIR for salary cap purposes, since this allows them to go above the cap and sign several other players.
Boychuk will end his professional career due to an eye injury suffered during the 2019-20 campaign, the Islanders announced Wednesday.
Boychuk played in just three of the team's 22 games in the postseason last year. Even when he was on the ice, the blueliner averaged just 10:56 of ice time in which he garnered four shots, nine blocks and six hits. Over the course of his 13-year NHL career, the 36-year-old Edmonton native saw action in 725 games for Colorado, Boston and New York and racked up 54 goals and 152 helpers along the way. The veteran blueliner chipped in another 30 points in 104 postseason contests that included a Stanley Cup championship with the Bruins in 2011. Given the team's release stated that Boychuk's career was ending, rather than retiring, he figures to spend the final two years of his deal on long-term injured reserve.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Back in action Tuesday
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Boychuk will play Tuesday's Game 5 against the Lightning, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
The elder statesman on the Islanders' blue line has only suited up once in the postseason -- back in Game 1 against Florida on Aug. 1. Boychuk dealt with an undisclosed injury but was reportedly cleared to play as early as Aug. 24, so he's been serving as a healthy scratch for the 11 games since. Michael Dal Colle exits the lineup as a healthy scratch.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Available against Flyers
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Boychuk (undisclosed) has been cleared to play in Monday's Game 1 matchup with Philadelphia, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Boychuk has been out of action since the first play-in round clash with the Panthers on Aug. 1. The Edmonton native should be in the mix for a spot in the lineup, though coach Barry Trotz may not want to change up the blue line after the Isles beat Washington 4-0 to clinch the previous series in Game 5.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Still sidelined for Game 5
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Boychuk (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup for Thursday's Game 5 matchup with the Captials, Brian Compton of NHL.com reports.
Boychuk took warmups as the seventh defensemen Thursday, signaling a return could be nearing for the veteran. Instead, it will be the eighth-straight game missed for the 36-year-old, with Andy Greene remaining in the lineup. Boychuk's next chance to suit up will either be in the second round, or for Saturday's Game 6 pending the result Thursday.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Still missing time
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Boychuck (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 4 matchup against Washington, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Boychuck will miss his seventh straight game with the undisclosed issue, but could be nearing a return, as he's been practicing with the team the past week. Devon Toews and Scott Mayfield will man the third defensive pairing, and Boychuck's next chance to suit up will either be in the second round with a Islanders win, or Thursday for Game 5.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Stays on shelf Sunday
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Boychuk (undisclosed) won't play in Sunday's Game 3 versus the Capitals, per the NHL's official media site.
Boychuk will miss a sixth straight game, but he has been practicing for a week now and could be nearing a return. His next opportunity to gear up will be Tuesday's Game 4.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Out again Friday
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Boychuk (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup for Friday's Game 2 against the Capitals, Brian Compton of NHL.com reports.
Boychuk took warmups prior to Game 1, so he'd likely be available for the Islanders if needed. However, Andy Greene has been playing well in his absence, so there's no reason for coach Barry Trotz to shake up his lineup right now. The veteran blueliner's next opportunity to return to game action will arrive Sunday.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Won't play Wednesday
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Boychuk (undisclosed) took warmups but didn't participate in line rushes, indicating he'll miss Wednesday's Game 1 matchup with Washington, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
The fact that Boychuk was on the ice for warmups indicates he should be close to returning to action. At this point, fantasy player can probably consider him a game-time call for Friday's Game 2 clash. Given the fact that Boychuk has just one point in his last 31 outings, his fantasy value in DFS contests should be considered low-end, at best.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Back at practice
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Boychuk (undisclosed) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Coach Barry Trotz labeled Boychuk "highly probable" for Game 1 against the Capitals on Monday, and the blueliner has been practicing since Sunday, so at this point it's safe to assume he'll be available for Wednesday's series opener. The 36-year-old vet only picked up 11 points in 64 games during the regular season, so he won't be a popular option in daily fantasy contests or playoff pools going forward.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Trending in right direction
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Boychuk (undisclosed) is nearing a return to action, as coach Barry Trotz called him "highly probable" for Wednesday's Game 1 matchup with Washington, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Boychuk logged just 5:17 of ice time in Game 1 versus the Panthers before missing the following three contests due to his undisclosed issue. If the blueliner gets the green light to play Wednesday, it could be Scott Mayfield who gets bumped from the lineup.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Practices Sunday
Rotowire
Boychuk (undisclosed) participated in practice Sunday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Head coach Barry Trotz said everyone practiced for the Islanders on Sunday, suggesting that Boychuk is good to go. The blueliner's availability will likely be confirmed prior to Game 1 versus the Capitals if he is able to take warmups before that contest.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Unavailable for Game 4
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Boychuk (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 4 matchup with the Panthers, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Boychuk will miss his third straight game after suffering an undisclosed injury in Game 1. With the Edmonton native on the shelf, the Islanders will continue to roll out Andy Greene on the top pairing with Nick Leddy. Even once cleared to play, Boychuk likely won't offer much in terms of fantasy value given his limited offensive upside.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Ruled out Wednesday
Rotowire
Boychuk (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Game 3 against the Panthers on Wednesday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.
With Boychuk still sidelined, the Isles will continue to utilize Andy Greene alongside Nick Leddy. Considering Boychuk has managed just one assist in his last 31 appearances, fantasy players shouldn't be banking on him producing offensively once cleared to return.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Unavailable Tuesday
Rotowire
Boychuk (undisclosed) isn't on the ice for pregame warmups and won't play Tuesday against the Panthers, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Boychuk exited Saturday's Game 1 win over Florida after taking a hit to the head and hasn't practiced since. Noah Dobson or Andy Greene will take the 36-year-old blueliner's spot in the lineup for Tuesday's Game 2.
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Islanders' Johnny Boychuk: Misses practice Monday
Rotowire
Boychuk (undisclosed) was not in attendance for Monday's practice, Brian Compton of NHL.com reports.
Coach Barry Trotz didn't have an official update on Boychuk, telling reporters only that a defenseman would replace Boychuk in the lineup if he is unable to play. The Edmonton native managed just one shot before being forced to exit Saturday's Game 1 after 5:17 of ice time. Noah Dobson or Andy Greene figures to slot into the lineup if Boychuk can't play versus the Panthers on Tuesday.
