Saturday, February 26, 2011
Posted: 12:28 p.m.Updated: 3:41 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
OTTAWA -- Nick Boynton remembers going back into the NHL Draft in 1999 after failing to sign with Washington, two summers earlier.
He heard the rumors that morning of the draft, ironically, held in Boston.
I knew the Flyers were interested me, and I cant remember where they were picking, maybe 22nd, Boynton told CSNPhilly.com on Saturday.
Yes, they were. The problem was, Boston was picking 21st and took Boynton instead. The Flyers ended up with goalie Max Ouellet
I knew Philly would probably take me, but I never thought about Boston because I had never spoken to them; that was so long ago, Boynton said. Funny how things turn out.
How things turned out is: the Flyers, looking for defensive depth in the wake of losing Oskars Bartulis (left shoulder) for up to three months, claimed the 32-year-old Boynton off waivers on Saturday from Chicago.
NHL
The 6-foot-2, 218-pound defenseman will fly to Philadelphia on Sunday and join the club Monday at practice. Boynton carries a 500,000 salary cap hit.
Nick is a right shot defenseman that will bring experience and depth to our team, general manager Paul Holmgren said in a release.
Combined with rookie call-up Erik Gustafssons 900,000 salary, the Flyers had to make a cap move and send James van Riemsdyk, who doesn't have to go through waivers, down to the Phantoms. Holmgren said that JVR will re-join the team on Sunday when Gustafsson goes back to the Phantoms.
Gustaffson will play in place of Chris Pronger tonight against Ottawa.
Yeah, Im a little bit surprised they took me, but I have to say pleasantly surprised, Boynton said of joining the Flyers.
Its great. The Flyers are obviously a great team, and I am looking forward to the opportunity. Kris Vertseeg and I have been texting each other back and forth all day.
Boynton and Versteeg were teammates last season when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup against the Flyers.
Boynton averaged 15:43 minutes a night in Chicago. He had just one goal and 8 points in 41 games this season.
I wasnt aware I was going on waivers until last night, Boynton said. I didnt know what was going to happen, but Im glad the way it worked out.
Boynton admits he hasnt had the best of years in Chicago.
Hes been in and out of the lineup and had some untimely turnovers and several fights that drew the ire of the 'Hawks' coaching staff. He had been a healthy scratch since Feb. 7. Hes also snakebit. Marian Hossas knee injury this season occurred after colliding with Boynton.
Boynton lost his lineup spot to rookie Nick Leddy.
Its been up and down for me this season, he said. Unfortunately, I have not been in lineup over last few games. I came out, they won a few games, and then they started sticking with the same lineup.
Its been frustrating. The team was starting to come around here a little bit.
What did Holmgren tell you?
He didnt say a whole lot except, 'welcome to the organization, glad to have you and look forward to seeing you,' Boynton said with a laugh.
Boynton has two children who live with their mother in Phoenix most of the year.
Its tough, he said. My kids are so young and not seeing them all the time is hard. Most of the time theyre with their mother in Arizona and go back and forth to see me.
Unfortunately, the flights just got a little longer, too.
Yeah, but it could not have worked out better for me, Boynton said.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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