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Devils add center depth, sign Boyle -- two years, $5.1 million

Anaheim Ducks v Tampa Bay Lightning

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 4: Brian Boyle #11 of the Tampa Bay Lightning shoots the puck for the game winning goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the shootout at Amalie Arena on February 4, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

New Jersey filled a void down the middle at the start of free agency, signing Brian Boyle to a two-year, $5.1 million deal with a $2.55M cap hit.

Boyle, 32, had a productive year split between Tampa Bay and Toronto, finishing with 12 goals and 25 points in 75 games. Having carved himself a niche as a big-bodied (6-foot-6, 244 pounds) center that can win draws and play a strong defensive game, Boyle has often been in demand for teams looking at a bottom-six forward.

In New Jersey, he’ll probably be exactly that.

Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique did most of the heavy lifting down the middle last season, while young prospect Pavel Zacha continued to learn his craft. Based on projections, Boyle might have a more expanded role than he did in either Tampa or Toronto.