Leafs trade for Dave Bolland

[cw]

Although Nonis is not saying he won't sign Bozak, I think he's done with the Leafs with this move.

I've always liked Bolland. I'll take him over Bozak any day (even though he's not nearly as good on draws).

Bolland career ppg .51
Bozak career ppg .56
* if Bolland got Bozak's ice time, he'd probably be very comparable offensively in those stats.

So they're not giving up much offence, if any, for a guy who can play a style of defense Bozak can only dream about. And in the event of injury to a top six center, Bolland can step in and play that role pretty well.

I think Bolland's a much better bang over the anticipated Bozak cap buck. And I think it will free up Grabbo to resume his role as a #2 scoring center and he'll bounce back from his pseudo checking center role that hurt his offence.

There is a shortage of quality centers available and although he hasn't secured a #1 franchise center that's so hard to come by, I think Nonis really helped his cause with this move and didn't grossly over pay to get him.

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

 

[AvroArrow]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

 

[AvroArrow]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

Yeah, that's one of the negatives with Bolland - he doesn't improve our faceoff situation.

Vinny seems to be a 50+ % guy most years.
Weiss is a 50+ % guy.
Ribiero is a 45- % guy.
Roy is up and down between 45 and 50 %.

Weiss or Vinny look like the best faceoff options beyond Bozak.

 

[leafplasma]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for. 

 

[cw]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for.

I'm certainly not assuming that.

I think he's a tenacious, feisty player (not a big banger but more of a competitor in a puck battle) and the difference between he and Bozak defensively is what he does after the draw. He's a smart, gutsy and responsible player defensively - something, that in my opinion, I didn't see very much in Bozak.

 

[mr grieves]

I like Anthony Petrielli's take on the trade.

In a lot of ways, the Leafs current group of centers is the same formula the Bruins deploy as Kadri is an offensive center (Krejci), Grabovski is a two-way center (Bergeron), and Bolland plus McClement are checking centers (Kelly, Campbell) . This isn?t to say they are as good of a center group, but it?s the same formula.
[...]
Boiled down, the aggregate of the whole deal is that Grabovski is a better scoring center than Bozak and Bolland is more comfortable in a prime shutdown role than Grabovski. The Leafs are coming out ahead here if everything goes according to plan.

The rest is here: http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2013/07/01/draft-day-recap-leafs-get-deeper-at-center/

 

[leafplasma]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for.

I'm certainly not assuming that.

I think he's a tenacious, feisty player (not a big banger but more of a competitor in a puck battle) and the difference between he and Bozak defensively is what he does after the draw. He's a smart, gutsy and responsible player defensively - something, that in my opinion, I didn't see very much in Bozak.

I am convinced Bozak in a third line role  would be everything you see Bolland as being but better on the draws but also with a cap hit that makes Bolland a better choice perhaps.  Actually looking purely from a statistical barometer using stats that may not totally tell the story but still interesting to look at.
              GP    Hits    Blocked Shots    Take Aways    FO %    +/-    PIM
Bozak      46    65            23                    37          52.6      -1      6
Bolland    35    43            18                    21          46.1      -7      22
Komarov  42    176         

Many believe we have replaced the agitator Komarov with a pest that can be more productive, I just don't get that.  Komarov was a tank out there when it comes to a banger and for that matter Bozak on the first line threw his weight around to a greater degree than Bolland in a checking role.

Nonis said himself that he wasn't going to pigeon hole Bolland into a third line role and I believe Bolland to be an upgrade in the skill dept to Bozak.  It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Bolland take over for Bozak on the first line if the Leafs fail to land a top line centre.  However, I just dont see the fiesty, abrasive side to Bolland that everyone is talking about.  Bickell the guy that Chi cleared Bolland's salary to make room for absolutely, Bolland not so much, Chicago made their choice.  I like Bolland alright I just don't want us all to expect too much from him.

 

[Tigger]

To me Bolland is a feistier and more defensively capable centre than Bozak, the only edge Tyler has is in the faceoff dept. Dave also has shown an ability to bring some offence during the playoffs.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Could somebody please explain to me all the vaunted talk of Bolland's "defensively minded" play. He has the worst plus/minus on the Blackhawks last year -- and not by just a little. It is SO BAD that there is no doubt in my mind that is why this guy was traded first.

Upgrade on Bozak? You are smoking METH.

 

[leafplasma]

Could somebody please explain to me all the vaunted talk of Bolland's "defensively minded" play. He has the worst plus/minus on the Blackhawks last year -- and not by just a little. It is SO BAD that there is no doubt in my mind that is why this guy was traded first.

Upgrade on Bozak? You are smoking METH.

I think offensively he is an upgrade on Bozak.  I don't buy all the defensive third line shut down role talk either.  Like I said I think he is insurance should we not sign a first line centre and will be used in that role and if we do he will be given the third line spot or possible even used on the wing.  He just isn't that great in the circle which hurts his chances in a first line role or in the third line centre role even for that matter.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Could somebody please explain to me all the vaunted talk of Bolland's "defensively minded" play. He has the worst plus/minus on the Blackhawks last year -- and not by just a little. It is SO BAD that there is no doubt in my mind that is why this guy was traded first.

Upgrade on Bozak? You are smoking METH.

Oh I don't know, maybe people actually watched him play? Maybe he lined up against most of the other teams #1 lines. Maybe he played very well and often SH (doesn't affect the +,- but still shows defensive acumen).

There are so many reasons he could be better than Bozak defensively outside of one number that can be very misleading.

On another note, I wish people would stop going on about the loss of Komarov. Yes the guy hit the opposition a lot, but outside of that he was an offensive black hole IMO. 0 pts in 7 playoff games and on pace for less than 20 pts in an entire season isn't exactly a player that's irreplaceable.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Could somebody please explain to me all the vaunted talk of Bolland's "defensively minded" play. He has the worst plus/minus on the Blackhawks last year -- and not by just a little. It is SO BAD that there is no doubt in my mind that is why this guy was traded first.

Upgrade on Bozak? You are smoking METH.

Good grief.

While it's completely ridiculous to draw the conclusions you have from one stat (a stat which is not particularly helpful, especially without context), all it took was for you to pull up his stats page, and if you absolutely had to look at his +/- to make up your mind, you could see it is the first time in his NHL career he was a minus player. 

So if you think +/- reflects his defensive play, I suppose he just forgot how to play defense during the lockout.

 

[cw]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for.

I'm certainly not assuming that.

I think he's a tenacious, feisty player (not a big banger but more of a competitor in a puck battle) and the difference between he and Bozak defensively is what he does after the draw. He's a smart, gutsy and responsible player defensively - something, that in my opinion, I didn't see very much in Bozak.

I am convinced Bozak in a third line role  would be everything you see Bolland as being but better on the draws but also with a cap hit that makes Bolland a better choice perhaps.  Actually looking purely from a statistical barometer using stats that may not totally tell the story but still interesting to look at.
              GP    Hits    Blocked Shots    Take Aways    FO %    +/-    PIM
Bozak      46    65            23                    37          52.6      -1      6
Bolland    35    43            18                    21          46.1      -7      22
Komarov  42    176         

Many believe we have replaced the agitator Komarov with a pest that can be more productive, I just don't get that.  Komarov was a tank out there when it comes to a banger and for that matter Bozak on the first line threw his weight around to a greater degree than Bolland in a checking role.

Nonis said himself that he wasn't going to pigeon hole Bolland into a third line role and I believe Bolland to be an upgrade in the skill dept to Bozak.  It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Bolland take over for Bozak on the first line if the Leafs fail to land a top line centre.  However, I just dont see the fiesty, abrasive side to Bolland that everyone is talking about.  Bickell the guy that Chi cleared Bolland's salary to make room for absolutely, Bolland not so much, Chicago made their choice.  I like Bolland alright I just don't want us all to expect too much from him.

I would give a similar response to the above stats as those who responded to the +/- for last season. All you have to do is watch the two of them play. I could be a little more specific to help highlight a key difference: randomly pick 10 puck battles along the boards for each player and watch those.

 

[leafplasma]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for.

I'm certainly not assuming that.

I think he's a tenacious, feisty player (not a big banger but more of a competitor in a puck battle) and the difference between he and Bozak defensively is what he does after the draw. He's a smart, gutsy and responsible player defensively - something, that in my opinion, I didn't see very much in Bozak.

I am convinced Bozak in a third line role  would be everything you see Bolland as being but better on the draws but also with a cap hit that makes Bolland a better choice perhaps.  Actually looking purely from a statistical barometer using stats that may not totally tell the story but still interesting to look at.
              GP    Hits    Blocked Shots    Take Aways    FO %    +/-    PIM
Bozak      46    65            23                    37          52.6      -1      6
Bolland    35    43            18                    21          46.1      -7      22
Komarov  42    176         

Many believe we have replaced the agitator Komarov with a pest that can be more productive, I just don't get that.  Komarov was a tank out there when it comes to a banger and for that matter Bozak on the first line threw his weight around to a greater degree than Bolland in a checking role.

Nonis said himself that he wasn't going to pigeon hole Bolland into a third line role and I believe Bolland to be an upgrade in the skill dept to Bozak.  It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Bolland take over for Bozak on the first line if the Leafs fail to land a top line centre.  However, I just dont see the fiesty, abrasive side to Bolland that everyone is talking about.  Bickell the guy that Chi cleared Bolland's salary to make room for absolutely, Bolland not so much, Chicago made their choice.  I like Bolland alright I just don't want us all to expect too much from him.

I would give a similar response to the above stats as those who responded to the +/- for last season. All you have to do is watch the two of them play. I could be a little more specific to help highlight a key difference: randomly pick 10 puck battles along the boards for each player and watch those.

Other than watching some playoff games involving Bolland I will admit I haven't seen a whole lot of Bolland other than that and I have seen virtually every game Bozak has played as a Leaf.  I think Bozak would do everything Bolland will do in the third line pivot spot and then some and RC certainly turned Bozak into a different player in my mind.  Maybe he can do the same to Bolland, time will tell.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for.

I'm certainly not assuming that.

I think he's a tenacious, feisty player (not a big banger but more of a competitor in a puck battle) and the difference between he and Bozak defensively is what he does after the draw. He's a smart, gutsy and responsible player defensively - something, that in my opinion, I didn't see very much in Bozak.

I am convinced Bozak in a third line role  would be everything you see Bolland as being but better on the draws but also with a cap hit that makes Bolland a better choice perhaps.  Actually looking purely from a statistical barometer using stats that may not totally tell the story but still interesting to look at.
              GP    Hits    Blocked Shots    Take Aways    FO %    +/-    PIM
Bozak      46    65            23                    37          52.6      -1      6
Bolland    35    43            18                    21          46.1      -7      22
Komarov  42    176         

Many believe we have replaced the agitator Komarov with a pest that can be more productive, I just don't get that.  Komarov was a tank out there when it comes to a banger and for that matter Bozak on the first line threw his weight around to a greater degree than Bolland in a checking role.

Nonis said himself that he wasn't going to pigeon hole Bolland into a third line role and I believe Bolland to be an upgrade in the skill dept to Bozak.  It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Bolland take over for Bozak on the first line if the Leafs fail to land a top line centre.  However, I just dont see the fiesty, abrasive side to Bolland that everyone is talking about.  Bickell the guy that Chi cleared Bolland's salary to make room for absolutely, Bolland not so much, Chicago made their choice.  I like Bolland alright I just don't want us all to expect too much from him.

I would give a similar response to the above stats as those who responded to the +/- for last season. All you have to do is watch the two of them play. I could be a little more specific to help highlight a key difference: randomly pick 10 puck battles along the boards for each player and watch those.

I'm no stats whiz but to me it looks like GP and TOI would have a large bearing on the overall totals.

Bozak averaged 20:19 a night playing with superior talent while Bolland played 16:20 in 11 less games without a Kessel riding shotgun.

Bozak totaled 928 mins and Bolland 567 mins.

Bozak will likely cost more than the 3.75M that Bolland earns.

If anything, Bolland's stats per min of icetime would be close to even with Bozak even though he played with less talented players.

There's a Production stat on ESPN that's something along the lines of how many minutes of icetime it takes to score a point. Bozak was at 33:22 and Bolland at 40:00 (again while playing on the 3rd line).

This is before their defensive games have been brought into the equation (I don't think that's even close). Bozak often looks soft on the puck, Bolland completely the opposite.

Time will tell, but I think this was a very smart move.

 

[Zee]

Could somebody please explain to me all the vaunted talk of Bolland's "defensively minded" play. He has the worst plus/minus on the Blackhawks last year -- and not by just a little. It is SO BAD that there is no doubt in my mind that is why this guy was traded first.

Upgrade on Bozak? You are smoking METH.

Well he was good enough to play on 2 Stanley Cup winning teams and has 43 points in 67 playoff games.

 

[cw]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for.

I'm certainly not assuming that.

I think he's a tenacious, feisty player (not a big banger but more of a competitor in a puck battle) and the difference between he and Bozak defensively is what he does after the draw. He's a smart, gutsy and responsible player defensively - something, that in my opinion, I didn't see very much in Bozak.

I am convinced Bozak in a third line role  would be everything you see Bolland as being but better on the draws but also with a cap hit that makes Bolland a better choice perhaps.  Actually looking purely from a statistical barometer using stats that may not totally tell the story but still interesting to look at.
              GP    Hits    Blocked Shots    Take Aways    FO %    +/-    PIM
Bozak      46    65            23                    37          52.6      -1      6
Bolland    35    43            18                    21          46.1      -7      22
Komarov  42    176         

Many believe we have replaced the agitator Komarov with a pest that can be more productive, I just don't get that.  Komarov was a tank out there when it comes to a banger and for that matter Bozak on the first line threw his weight around to a greater degree than Bolland in a checking role.

Nonis said himself that he wasn't going to pigeon hole Bolland into a third line role and I believe Bolland to be an upgrade in the skill dept to Bozak.  It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Bolland take over for Bozak on the first line if the Leafs fail to land a top line centre.  However, I just dont see the fiesty, abrasive side to Bolland that everyone is talking about.  Bickell the guy that Chi cleared Bolland's salary to make room for absolutely, Bolland not so much, Chicago made their choice.  I like Bolland alright I just don't want us all to expect too much from him.

I would give a similar response to the above stats as those who responded to the +/- for last season. All you have to do is watch the two of them play. I could be a little more specific to help highlight a key difference: randomly pick 10 puck battles along the boards for each player and watch those.

Other than watching some playoff games involving Bolland I will admit I haven't seen a whole lot of Bolland other than that and I have seen virtually every game Bozak has played as a Leaf.  I think Bozak would do everything Bolland will do in the third line pivot spot and then some and RC certainly turned Bozak into a different player in my mind.  Maybe he can do the same to Bolland, time will tell.

I've posted complimentary things about Bolland in years gone by - watched him for quite a while, going back to his junior days in London and for Team Canada. Unlike Bozak, RC doesn't have to do much for Bolland. He's a solid pro and like McClement, he'll show up to play.

I'll be blunt: when the going gets tough, Bozak is a pussy and Bolland isn't.

 

[leafplasma]

Joe Colborne has a real challenge ahead of him in September to crack the roster playing center.

His best bet is if McClement plays winger+faceoff man on Bolland's line, so he can play 4th line C.

I didn't realize Bolland's been below 50% on the draw in every season he's played. I just figured he would have been better than that.

I think everybody is assuming what Bolland brings to the table because he plays for a punishing Hawks team.  I do think he is slightly more skilled than Bozak as he can put up comparable numbers with lesser linemates and with less icetime than Bozak. However, he is atrocious in the circle, not a big banger/checker contrary to what many are saying here and is actually smaller than Bozak.  I think we are going to have a horrid time winning draws next season and that will be a real problem.  I am not getting all of this abrasive talk in regards to Bolland or his laurels in regards to his defensive game relative to Bozak.  Having said that I think his contract is more worthy of what Bozak should be getting as a UFA and because of this it is a good move cap-wise for the Leafs.  Lets not let our vision of Bolland be too grand in regards to the shutdown 3rd line center that we are looking for.

I'm certainly not assuming that.

I think he's a tenacious, feisty player (not a big banger but more of a competitor in a puck battle) and the difference between he and Bozak defensively is what he does after the draw. He's a smart, gutsy and responsible player defensively - something, that in my opinion, I didn't see very much in Bozak.

I am convinced Bozak in a third line role  would be everything you see Bolland as being but better on the draws but also with a cap hit that makes Bolland a better choice perhaps.  Actually looking purely from a statistical barometer using stats that may not totally tell the story but still interesting to look at.
              GP    Hits    Blocked Shots    Take Aways    FO %    +/-    PIM
Bozak      46    65            23                    37          52.6      -1      6
Bolland    35    43            18                    21          46.1      -7      22
Komarov  42    176         

Many believe we have replaced the agitator Komarov with a pest that can be more productive, I just don't get that.  Komarov was a tank out there when it comes to a banger and for that matter Bozak on the first line threw his weight around to a greater degree than Bolland in a checking role.

Nonis said himself that he wasn't going to pigeon hole Bolland into a third line role and I believe Bolland to be an upgrade in the skill dept to Bozak.  It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Bolland take over for Bozak on the first line if the Leafs fail to land a top line centre.  However, I just dont see the fiesty, abrasive side to Bolland that everyone is talking about.  Bickell the guy that Chi cleared Bolland's salary to make room for absolutely, Bolland not so much, Chicago made their choice.  I like Bolland alright I just don't want us all to expect too much from him.

I would give a similar response to the above stats as those who responded to the +/- for last season. All you have to do is watch the two of them play. I could be a little more specific to help highlight a key difference: randomly pick 10 puck battles along the boards for each player and watch those.

Other than watching some playoff games involving Bolland I will admit I haven't seen a whole lot of Bolland other than that and I have seen virtually every game Bozak has played as a Leaf.  I think Bozak would do everything Bolland will do in the third line pivot spot and then some and RC certainly turned Bozak into a different player in my mind.  Maybe he can do the same to Bolland, time will tell.

I've posted complimentary things about Bolland in years gone by - watched him for quite a while, going back to his junior days in London and for Team Canada. Unlike Bozak, RC doesn't have to do much for Bolland. He's a solid pro and like McClement, he'll show up to play.

I'll be blunt: when the going gets tough, Bozak is a pussy and Bolland isn't.

I hope your right, a quick perusal of McClement's stats his final year in Colorado would really not sell you on him but having watched him a full year in Toronto certainly did.  I hope Bolland follows in that same mold, thanks for the insight.

 

[cw]

A post from HF:

Really going to miss Bolland. I've watched him his entire career. He was great in London, and then was obviously a great Blackhawk. Most on this board knows that I didn't want the Hawks to trade Bolland, but I understand why they did. He'll have a bounce back year in Toronto next year and I hope to see him flourish in the big smoke.

Chicago traded away a warrior today. As much as I understand the reasoning for it, the fact remains, that Chicago traded away a heart-and-soul guy. He'll be missed.

Thanks for the memories Bolland. You'll go down as one of my favourite Hawks all-time.

There wasn't a bad post about him in their appreciation thread. A few posters quoted the above saying it captured their sentiments.