A lot of people have been asking about Brian Boyle, and I’ve been holding off on posting anything until I heard something definitive, but unfortunately there’s not much definitive to say. Word out of the Kings’ camp today is that negotiations with Boyle have begun and that they’re hopeful of getting a deal done. It doesn’t seem that anything is imminent. The Jack Johnson deal took about three days to get done, but there was a sense of urgency there because both sides wanted to see him in the NHL before the end of the season. Boyle’s comments in the Union-Leader indicate that he would like to play in Manchester this season, but it’s far from crucial for either side. Boyle has talked about finishing his studies, so that’s another factor.

Jeff Solomon, the Kings’ director of hockey operations, is handling the talks, as he usually does. Dean Lombardi and Ron Hextall are keeping tabs, but both are headed to Russia for the World Championships and to keep an eye on the Kings’ interests overseas. This also means that my sit-down with Hextall and/or Lombardi has been delayed a bit, but will take place when they get back in town.