McKenzie: "Some communication" between Islanders, Boychuk's camp

Bob McKenzie was on NBCSN’s NHL Live on Wednesday evening.

On what Nick Leddy’s contract extension means for Johnny Boychuk:

“There’s no question the New York Islanders want to sign Johnny Boychuk to a contract extension and there has been some communication between the Islanders and the player’s representation. They’re trying to keep things low-key at this point, but I would think Johnny Boychuk – because he is fully an unrestricted free agent, as opposed to Leddy, who still had some time before he was going to be an unrestricted free agent – will command a little more than the $5.5 million AAV that Nick Leddy got.

“So I could see where the comparables for a guy like Boychuk would be Marc Staal at 5.8, or Dan Girardi in that neighborhood. Somewhere between $5.5-6 million a year.

“But there’s going to be significant interest if Boychuk goes to open market. I think he’s a good spot, but the question becomes for every player in that situation: How do you weigh wanting to stay where you are -and maybe how things go in the playoffs might determine that as well for the Islanders -but also what’s the dollar consideration going to be. I’m sure the Islanders will make him a fair offer, but whether or not he wants to go to open market will be his final call.”

Source: NBCSN/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

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