Tyler Bozak: So maybe he's not 1C. But maybe he's 1A-C?
- Thread starter ZBBM
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Compared to a stud dman or a top 10 starting goalie, I don't think replacing Bozak with a #1 center would have as much impact.
The Stajan comparison wasn't a bad one. I think he's a little more gifted offensively. He's definitely better at faceoffs. I think Stajan was smarter defensively. Both players are soft but Bozak's improved on that some this season.
He is a good bang for his buck. If he can continue to improve his defence, he could fall back to the #3 slot if we landed a franchise center. He's shown some promise on the PK. As others have mentioned, his chemistry with Kessel & Lupul is worth something and I'd have to say that he basically beat Tim Connolly, who is not bad two ways, out of that job - so he deserves some credit for that.
Bozak has pleasantly surprised me some this season. I wouldn't describe him as a 1A nor concern myself with that as I think we have bigger roster issues to concern ourselves with.
The Stajan comparison wasn't a bad one. I think he's a little more gifted offensively. He's definitely better at faceoffs. I think Stajan was smarter defensively. Both players are soft but Bozak's improved on that some this season.
He is a good bang for his buck. If he can continue to improve his defence, he could fall back to the #3 slot if we landed a franchise center. He's shown some promise on the PK. As others have mentioned, his chemistry with Kessel & Lupul is worth something and I'd have to say that he basically beat Tim Connolly, who is not bad two ways, out of that job - so he deserves some credit for that.
Bozak has pleasantly surprised me some this season. I wouldn't describe him as a 1A nor concern myself with that as I think we have bigger roster issues to concern ourselves with.
Bozak's faceoff ability has been on full display lately, especially in the final minute last night. He also seems to have an offensive flair, more so than Stajan ever showed (to address that terrible comparison).
He suffered from the second-year slump last year amidst completely unfair expectations, but I think he's settled in nicely this season and is beginning to realize what he can - or should - do at this level. In my opinion, he's been one of the players I've really enjoyed watching this season - which could be indicative of the overall lack of talent on the roster, I don't know - but he's pretty much done everything that's been asked of him this year and done it, for the most part, very well.
I certainly don't see him as the Leafs No. 1 centre when the team is competitive again, but I do see him as a part of that team in some capacity, maybe even as the No. 2 guy. Is he really that far behind the streaky-as-hell Grabovski?
He suffered from the second-year slump last year amidst completely unfair expectations, but I think he's settled in nicely this season and is beginning to realize what he can - or should - do at this level. In my opinion, he's been one of the players I've really enjoyed watching this season - which could be indicative of the overall lack of talent on the roster, I don't know - but he's pretty much done everything that's been asked of him this year and done it, for the most part, very well.
I certainly don't see him as the Leafs No. 1 centre when the team is competitive again, but I do see him as a part of that team in some capacity, maybe even as the No. 2 guy. Is he really that far behind the streaky-as-hell Grabovski?
bustaheims
Active member
Erndog said:
Not only is it not fair to Bozak, it's just not true. Lupul and Kessel are having career seasons, and while mostly that's due to each other, some of the credit there has to go to Bozak, because, as you said, there's good chemistry between the three, and, when they're all going and on the same page, they're as good in the offensive zone as any line in the league. As much as I'd love to see an upgrade on Bozak, as cw points out, there are bigger issues than that and an upgrade from Bozak to say Getzlaf likely wouldn't have the level of impact we'd like it to. I mean, if we're being honest, how much more could Getzlaf (or anyone else) really get out of Kessel and Lupul than they're already providing?
BlueWhiteBlood
New member
IIRC, there were a lot of people that wanted him on a plain near the start of the season, it's nice to see him progress this year.
I'm of the same thought, more or less, than a few here, that Bozie is more likely a 2nd center, but the chemistry with his current line mates is undeniable. He does throw the odd hit and his defensive game is way better than last year. I believe his ceiling is higher than Stajan's is/ was.
I'm of the same thought, more or less, than a few here, that Bozie is more likely a 2nd center, but the chemistry with his current line mates is undeniable. He does throw the odd hit and his defensive game is way better than last year. I believe his ceiling is higher than Stajan's is/ was.
BlueWhiteBlood
New member
Bender said:
Well, he'll most likely sty 1 or 3 while Grabbo is here. Doesn't change. If he's the 3 center, our team will be better, based on having a new #1. But defensive wingers need to be priority.
ZBBM
Active member
I would chalk up Bozak's signing as one of Burke's best moves. People laughed when it was claimed that getting him was like getting a free first-rounder. Well, there are plenty of first-rounders who never make it at all in the league and Bozak has done that ... and as I've argued is still improving. Would he not be considered one of the best of the recent college FA signings?
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Undrafted scoring race 2011-12
Martin St Louis (age 36) 59 Pts (NCAA signed 1998)
David Desharnais (age 25) 47 (QMJHL signed 2008)
Teddy Purcell (age 26) 47 Pts (NCAA/USHL signed 2007)
Chris Kunitz (age 32) 44 Pts (NCAA signed 2003)
Alexandre Burrows (age 30) 41 Pts (QMJHL signed 2003)
Matt Read (age 25) 38 Pts (NCAA signed 2011)
Rich Peverley (age 29) 38 Pts (NCAA signed 2007)
Tyler Bozak (age 25) 37Pts (NCAA signed 2009)
Pascal Dupuis (age 32) 37Pts (QMJHL signed 2000)
UFA Goalies
Hiller Switz signed 2007
Backstrom Finland signed 2006
Niemi Finland signed 2008
Not sure about UFA dmen beyond none are scoring more this season.
So I guess between Bozak & Read, they may be the best young UFA signings since 2009 unless there's a dman I overlooked.
Bozak is the sixth highest scoring undrafted NCAA player in the league this year.
As it appears Grabovski was worth a first round pick, I'd say with Bozak's contract and contract staus, he'd be worth pretty close to a 2nd round pick on the current trade market.
I would think Bozak would have to be regarded as one of the best recent NCAA UFA signings.
Corn Flake
New member
Bozak as an okay 45-50pt #2 and I think that is where he probably finds his niche. He would produce more not having to go up against top defensive units every night and even with lesser wingers he would probably put up more consistent stats. I don't think he can be a #3 and although he has traits of a #1 (faceoffs, speed, passing at times), he can't quite seem to make the leap.
