Brian Boyle focused on Lightning

TAMPA -- Forward Brian Boyle has heard his name come up recently in trade rumors but is focused on playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning and working toward a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The NHL Trade Deadline is March 1 at 3 p.m. ET.

"I know there's a lot of speculation," Boyle said. "I don't know much more than that."
Boyle has 13 goals and nine assists in 52 games. The versatile forward is one of the Lightning's primary penalty-killers and a presence in front of the net on the power play. He has six power-play points and has taken the fourth-most faceoffs on the team.
The Lightning have used Boyle at center, on the wing and even on defense during his two-plus seasons. He signed a three-year contract with the Lightning, worth $6 million, according to capfriendly.com, on July 1, 2014.

"You can slot him in anywhere and it's a plus," coach Jon Cooper said. "There are times where we've been short on defense and he can play back there. We can put him at center and he'll win draws. Even when we play him on the wing he has the ability to win faceoffs so it's like having two centers out there. He is a very valuable guy to have."
The Edmonton Oilers, who play the Lightning at Amalie Arena on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; SUN, SNW, NHL.TV), have reportedly been mentioned as a potential suitor for Boyle.
"I don't want any of our guys to go anywhere," Cooper said. "This team has stayed together for three straight years and we've had a lot of success with the same guys. I know this is the time of the year people talk about buyers and sellers, but all we're thinking about is playing Edmonton."
The Lightning are 4-0-2 in their past six games and six points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
"We're pushing right now," Boyle said. "We want to continue to push and make all this [trade talk] a moot point."

Boyle said he's been fortunate to have never been traded before the deadline; he was traded to the New York Rangers from the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL Draft.
"I hope this year is no different," Boyle said. "Can't really worry about anything other than the game [Tuesday]."