Bozak's Future

[moon111]

I wouldn't hessitate to use Kadri and Grabovski as the top two centers.  Think Kadri was 'protected' pretty good by Carlyle's line matching.  And think Grab's role changed.  But think both could easily do the job.  I'd rather sign another Jay McClement then resign Bozak.

 

[L K]

I wouldn't hessitate to use Kadri and Grabovski as the top two centers.  Think Kadri was 'protected' pretty good by Carlyle's line matching.  And think Grab's role changed.  But think both could easily do the job.  I'd rather sign another Jay McClement then resign Bozak.

I'd need to see massive improvement in the faceoff circle from Kadri first.  The Leafs team defense isn't good enough to play catch-up without the puck as much as they did against the Bruins.

I think Boyd Gordon would be a great acquisition to help out on faceoffs and defensive play in the bottom 6.  I think you probably need to add one or two strong defensive wingers under that situation though if you are going to play that weak up the middle.

 

[Rebel_1812]

some of you have responded that letting bozak walk and having kadri and grabbo as the top 2 centers is paper thin.  How did bozak improve our center situation?  He doesn't put up many points despite playing with our best player.  Nor is he defensively, or physically dominant.  By all accounts he is a mediocre player playing with great wingers.  We already overpaid grabbo, why not put him in that spot and see what he can do.  Kadri was basically the 2nd center this year anyway.  This way we will also have some money available if a really good center does become available.

 

[bbt]

Rebel.  Your dead on in your analysis of Bozak. And agree with your other center suggestions. Need a strong center to replace Bozak.... Big strong center.  And enough of Phaneauf! 

 

[princedpw]

I wouldn't hessitate to use Kadri and Grabovski as the top two centers.  Think Kadri was 'protected' pretty good by Carlyle's line matching.  And think Grab's role changed.  But think both could easily do the job.  I'd rather sign another Jay McClement then resign Bozak.

I'd need to see massive improvement in the faceoff circle from Kadri first.  The Leafs team defense isn't good enough to play catch-up without the puck as much as they did against the Bruins.

I think Boyd Gordon would be a great acquisition to help out on faceoffs and defensive play in the bottom 6.  I think you probably need to add one or two strong defensive wingers under that situation though if you are going to play that weak up the middle.

I dont think we should try to optimize our lineup to improve our faceoff percentage -- it just isnt important enough.  A good faceoff guy wins 55%.  An average one 50% and a bad one 45%.  If each guy takes 20 per game, they will win 11, 10 or 9 and lose 9, 10 or 11.  So the good faceoff guy has some advantage on 1-2 faceoffs per game.  I prefer the guy who is worse at faceoffs but better at general hockey play -- he'll have an advantage on 18 of the 20 faceoffs over the guy who is good at faceoffs and less good at everything else (eg, Tyler Bozak).

 

[princedpw]

Rebel.  Your dead on in your analysis of Bozak. And agree with your other center suggestions. Need a strong center to replace Bozak.... Big strong center.  And enough of Phaneauf!

Who are you going to play in Phaneuf's spot for 25 minutes a night?

 

[bustaheims]

JVReemer21: Hey @Bozie42 , can we get one on you around July 5th?? #chaching

I guess Bozak signed an extension.

 

[L K]

JVReemer21: Hey @Bozie42 , can we get one on you around July 5th?? #chaching

I guess Bozak signed an extension.

Isn't that just a general statement about free agency and a new payday?  3.5M would be great.  4 would be overpayment IMO but whatever.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

JVReemer21: Hey @Bozie42 , can we get one on you around July 5th?? #chaching

I guess Bozak signed an extension.

Here's their full exchange:

Tyler Bozak ‏@Bozie42 19m
Would love if they always had a hidden camera on the powerball winners when they checked their tickets for the first time. #richierich

James van Riemsdyk ‏@JVReemer21 17m
Hey @Bozie42 , can we get one on you around July 5th?? #chaching

It doesn't sound like they just pulled a Wilson. JVR is just joking that Bozak is going to get a big payday on July 5th, regardless of where he signs.

 

[moon111]

If faceoffs are so important, put Clarke MacArthur on center.  He won 80%+ he took?

 

[Nik]

If faceoffs are so important, put Clarke MacArthur on center.  He won 80%+ he took?

He took 6.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

If faceoffs are so important, put Clarke MacArthur on center.  He won 80%+ he took?

He took 6.

6 or 1063, I fail to see the difference.

 

[bustaheims]

If faceoffs are so important, put Clarke MacArthur on center.  He won 80%+ he took?

He's won barely more than 40% of the faceoffs he's taken in his career. So, ummm, no. There's a very good reason he's only taken 33 faceoffs in his 3 seasons as a Leaf.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Speaking of moving somebody to centre though, I do wonder if a full training camp and season will mean JVR will get that look at centre that Carlyle once spoke about. It would depend on what the Leafs do in the offseason, but if they let Bozak go and bring in a winger instead of a centre, maybe it'll happen.

 

[Leafaholic99]

Speaking of moving somebody to centre though, I do wonder if a full training camp and season will mean JVR will get that look at centre that Carlyle once spoke about. It would depend on what the Leafs do in the offseason, but if they let Bozak go and bring in a winger instead of a centre, maybe it'll happen.

Bozak out, Clarkson in. JVR to center.

 

[Nik]

Speaking of moving somebody to centre though, I do wonder if a full training camp and season will mean JVR will get that look at centre that Carlyle once spoke about. It would depend on what the Leafs do in the offseason, but if they let Bozak go and bring in a winger instead of a centre, maybe it'll happen.

I suppose but, I mean, did he do much of anything this year that made you think his game would translate well? I'm just curious because my recollection is that he didn't really show much other than a pretty good ability to score from in close.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Speaking of moving somebody to centre though, I do wonder if a full training camp and season will mean JVR will get that look at centre that Carlyle once spoke about. It would depend on what the Leafs do in the offseason, but if they let Bozak go and bring in a winger instead of a centre, maybe it'll happen.

I suppose but, I mean, did he do much of anything this year that made you think his game would translate well? I'm just curious because my recollection is that he didn't really show much other than a pretty good ability to score from in close.

While his face-off stats are of course very limited, they did look good. Winning 55% of 43 taken. He's also a lot more defensive responsible then I was expecting, as shown by the amount of PK time Carlyle gave him. And I thought he was pretty good at carrying the puck up the ice and entering the offenzive zone, something that Bozak wasn't very strong at.

He may not be the ideal candidate, but I think if Bozak leaves and nobody is brought in, JVR will get as much of a look as Kadri or Grabovski to fill his position.

 

[bustaheims]

Bozak out, Clarkson in. JVR to center.

If Clarkson is willing to sign a deal in the $3M-$3.5M range, then maybe. If he wants much more than that, pass.

 

[princedpw]

Bozak out, Clarkson in. JVR to center.

If Clarkson is willing to sign a deal in the $3M-$3.5M range, then maybe.

Yeah, I have an incredibly hard time imagining that is going to happen.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Bozak out, Clarkson in. JVR to center.

If Clarkson is willing to sign a deal in the $3M-$3.5M range, then maybe. If he wants much more than that, pass.

I wouldn't have a huge issue with 4-4.5M depending on the term. If it was more than 5 years it would be a problem, but the guy can actually score.

Scored 30 last year and was on pace for 26 this year. He'll break down eventually (though he's a fair bit bigger than say Tucker was), but he provides hitting/fighting and can play the game quite well. It would also be nice to have a guy who can draw the attention of the other team a la Tucker to open up more space for Lupul/Kessel/JVR/Kadri.

I really hope we sign him to a good contract and we get to enjoy his brand of hockey.