If this was Dan Boyle’s final day as a New York Rangers defenseman, he made it a volcanic one.
The Rangers players met the media at their practice facility for the final time after their five-game elimination at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins. One of the most anticipated interviews was Boyle, the 39-year-old pending unrestricted free agent whose time with the team was likely over and whose NHL future was murky at best.
As reporters crowded around him, Boyle noted the presence of one in particular: Larry Brooks of the New York Post, whom you may remember from his years-long battle with former coach John Tortorella.
Before speaking to the media scrum, Boyle said he wanted Brooks to leave the interview area, offering a personal criticism of his work as well.
“I don’t want him here,” said Boyle.
“What?” Brooks said. “You know, the feeling’s mutual, man.”
“Nobody likes you. Nobody respects you. Just so you know,” said Boyle.
“OK,” said Brooks.
“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.
“Can they not all stay here? I have tons of respect for some of these guys. I just don’t want him here. That should be fine,” said Boyle.
At this point, Brooks hadn’t left yet.
“Can you just [expletive] leave?!” Boyle asked again, loudly.
“If you had asked me politely, I might have,” said Brooks.
Boyle: “POLITELY? Why would I be polite with you? Are you kidding me?”
Brooks then told Boyle to “grow up,” Boyle laughed that off and Brooks walked off to another interview.
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