Boyle signed a two-year contract as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils on July 1, 2017. But before he could make his debut with New Jersey, he had to overcome cancer.

The veteran forward was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer, during training camp. The cancer was treatable with medication and Boyle made his season debut for New Jersey on Nov. 1. He scored 10 goals in his first 25 games, including one on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Prudential Center, a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 24. Boyle missed three games after his season debut and represented the Devils at the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game.

Boyle became a leader in the dressing room and helped New Jersey go 44-29-9 and earn its first Stanley Cup Playoff berth since 2012. New Jersey finished with 97 points, 27 more than the previous season, and Boyle became the second member of the Devils to win the Masterton Trophy, recognizing his perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Boyle has played most of his career as a center, generally in a third- or fourth-line role. But in recent seasons the 6-foot-6, 245-pound forward's role has expanded. He was already a top-pair penalty-killer and consistent defensive-zone face-off specialist but got some time top-line power-play minutes for the Tampa Bay Lightning toward the end of the 2015-16 regular season. He did the same during the playoffs, providing a net-front presence.

Boyle even took shifts on defense when injuries left Tampa Bay shorthanded. He was familiar with the position because the Los Angeles Kings, who selected him with No. 26 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, experimented with converting him into a defenseman during his first full year in the American Hockey League in 2007-08.

Boyle helped the New York Rangers and Lightning reach the Stanley Cup Final (New York in 2014, Tampa Bay in 2015). He then played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Devils and Nashville Predators before signing with the Florida Panthers on Oct. 20, 2019.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Hockey East First All-Star Team (2006, 2007)
• NCAA East Second All-American Team (2006)
• NCAA East First All-American Team (2007)
• NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (2007)
• AHL All-Rookie Team (2008)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (2018)
• Traded to NY Rangers by Los Angeles for NY Rangers' 3rd round pick (Jordan Weal) in 2010 NHL Draft, June 27, 2009.
• Signed as a free agent by Tampa Bay, July 1, 2014.
• Traded to Toronto by Tampa Bay for Byron Froese and Toronto's 2nd round pick (Alexander Volkov) in 2017 NHL Draft, February 27, 2017.
• Signed as a free agent by New Jersey, July 1, 2017.
• Traded to Nashville by New Jersey for Nashville's 2nd-round pick in 2019 NHL Draft, February 6, 2019.
• Signed as a free agent by Florida, October 20, 2019.
• Signed as a free agent by Pittsburgh, October 12, 2021.