I don’t have anything against Tyler Bozak, but as Brian Burke would say “We would like to thank him for his service and wish him the best.” The guy is a polarizing figure, mostly because he’s been centering two elite wingers and living off the dividends. Depending on who you talk to, he is either the luckiest player alive or he doesn’t get enough credit for the work he does.
He is beloved for his defensive work, though that has been overstated, and he is beloved for his face-offs, though their importance has long been suspect. (There is absolute proof that you need to be +240 odd face-offs to equal a win, but that doesn’t deter some people from using the “just because some people say it doesn’t make it true” argument). But either way, he’s still a decent player who’s done a decent job. Sort of. A look at the under-lying data suggest that Tyler Bozak is actually one of the worst defensive players in the NHL – and if you can read that without getting angry but want to know why it makes a whole lot of sense, read this near genius piece of writing from Steve Burtch.
However you view Bozak it’s time to move on. Here’s why:
Holland/Kadri
While some people have taken me to task for writing that Kadri is better than Bozak, I have to wonder why. I hold this truth to be self-evident and maintain that there is no person alive who could watch them both play objectively and think Bozak is better. Kadri just has more natural talent in every facet of the game, and the one area where Bozak does beat Kadri – positional/defensive awareness – is not as much of an edge as Kadri holds over Bozak in offensive awareness, making it a moot point. In fact, I don’t even think Kadri is worse than Bozak at defense, I think he might be a little more prone to the high-risk play, but that’s it. I will admit that right now, Bozak is probably seen as the better overall player, but it’s impossible to know even that because he gets all the best ice-time, the best PP time and the best players to play with.
Besides Kadri, the Leafs also have another player superior to Bozak who also plays centre. His name is Peter Holland. Five years younger, an inch taller and $4 Million dollars cheaper than Tyler Bozak, Holland needs to play. Holland has a nice defensive game and can kill penalties and possesses more offensive talent than Bozak does.
Unlike Bozak, he hasn’t hit his peak yet. Despite what their record says, until the Leafs acquire or develop a front line centre and another top pairing defensman they are not competitors for the Stanley Cup. Since this is the case, they need to be developing their young players by having them play 15-20 minutes per night and by having them out consistently on the PK and PP.
Bozak is what he is. He isn’t terrible, but has also peaked, and his recent points production is probably a situation where he is playing over his head. Kadri and Holland still have high ceilings that they may or may not reach. If not now, when they are definitely not a contender, then when do the Leafs play these guys enough to know what they truly have in them? As it currently stands right now, Bozak is blocking Holland and Kadri from getting better minutes.
“But Bozak is a better all-around player than either of them.” I hear you. I know Kadri has more up-side, and maybe Bozak is better today, but the point is that right now (while the team waits for its new GM and Coach, while it waits for Gardiner and Rielly to be good enough to have a competitive defense, while it waits for the trade that will bring in a top-line C and D) development needs to be a priority over winning two points each night.
For the Leafs, for this season, playing Kadri and Holland 20 minutes every night should be more important than winning. That is how you find out what you have and it’s how you develop players from within.
Bozak Might Have Some Value
A top (ish) line centre making only $4 million and with a year – approximately – of near point-per-game production? Sure, other GMs aren’t stupid and they know this production is inflated by his line-mates, but he still does have value. He’s a fast skater with a decent all-round game, and even if his defense has been overblown, he’s still all-right.
After watching this guy play for four years, I’d say he is a moderately talented player who slots in as a decent #2 or #3 centre on a contending team. The role played by Mike Santorelli on the Leafs this season? To my mind that’s the role Bozak should be in, which means that his $4.2 million dollar cap it might be kind of high. But, if he’s a second liner, then it’s OK.
I know teams aren’t going to pay a ton for Tyler Bozak, but including him as part of a trade would clear up a ton of cap-space for the cap-challenged Maple Leafs.
For instance, the Leafs could probably improve their team by being willing to trade Reimer, Bozak, Franson and a first rounder for a high-end defenseman. Is that enough for the 24 year old 6’8 Tyler Myers? If not, what else is needed to make it happen? A defense that looked like this would win you a lot of hockey games:
Phaneuf – Myers
Reilly – Gardiner
Polak – Percy
In fact, should everyone on that group even come close to hitting their potential, it’s potentially the best group of defenseman in hockey. I know many people might not be too high on Myers right now, but this is an absolute giant of a man who has the potential to be the next Zedeno Chara. If I was running the Leafs he would be my number one trade target right now. If not Myers, what about Gundbranson off Florida? Either way, the Leafs need to make a move for an early 20s defensman with first pairing upside.
In Conclusion
If you put away your pro-Bozak goggles, you will come to realize that moving him is what is best for this team. Even if you disagree with me about the team’s level of competitiveness as it is currently constructed, you would have to agree with me that it will be hard to improve while currently so close to the salary cap. All issues of development aside, Holland is approximately the same player as Bozak (potentially much better) and he makes nearly $4 million dollars less. The Leafs could drop Bozak from the team,replace his minutes with Kadri and Hollan, not miss a beat (and if they moved Reimer in conjunction) have close to $7 million to spend. Tyler Myers, signed through 2019, makes just $5.5
This is just a no-brainer.
Thanks for Reading.
I have no problem with Bozak – he brings a lot to the table esp given he was an unsigned free agent. He is hard working and he’s not getting his points all off of Phil Kessel – many of Kessel’s goal’s are off of nifty set-ups from Bozak.
Now you want to put Kadri in. What exactly has Kadri done – does he elevate anyone’s game? He has been for the most part molly coddled. He’s a first round pick – one should expect better, What, put him in the top line and then what – what are you getting – some significant performance boost – because that is certainly what you would want if you were going to make a change because if not it is a wash. So what’s the point – trade Kadri if you are looking for some expected great return.
These ideas of trading Kadri, gardiner and a first round pick for anybody is ridiculous who would do that – and by that i mean the TML front office – that’s just crazy. Someone above said Tyler Myers – good grief.
Of course these are the same people who throw out the tired line that +10 phanuef is a pylon. In the 9 goal game he wasn’t even a minus and he’s playing against the top lines of other teams – what do you want – look at the top d on some better teams and their +/- are negatives.
On the other hand – the leafs always have a problem getting complementary players for their biggest stars. They can’t seen to get anything for Kessel – and we’ve been complaining for years, just as they did nothing for sundin. They’re all talk but can’t get anyone – and that’s one of their biggest problem for the past decade.
Oh well.
I wouldn’t trade a first rounder for Myers in any package. If he wasn’t 6’8 no one would give him a second look. He’s been crap since his rookie season. If Boston would trade him I would go after Hamilton(who should have been a Leaf if Burke had taken their first offer in the Kessel deal)
Some good points. Bozak’s value will never be higher than it is currently. I like his idea of Kadri on top line and should he falter, Holland could be moved up to share the time. In that scenario, I don’t think Bozak would be missed at all.
@Stan I wonder if you’ve looked into it or if it just goes counter to what you already think and so you ignore it. I am guessing the later, since its a well established fact.
I don’t know how many teams would be interested. As a #3 I could see it but his contract doesn’t make sense for a #3. He’s making top 6 money and his play isn’t going to get any better so it would be a tough sell without retaining some salary. Next year a lot of teams are going to be in cap trouble. Franson’s a rental so he’s of no interest to teams other than potential contenders, but they’re also teams that Bozak is at best a 3rd liner so they wouldn’t want that contract. Reimer has a year left but makes too much as a backup so that’s a tough sell too. Those are all contracts the Leafs (and every other team in the league) would love to move if they could but why would other teams want to take them? Throwing in a 1st round pick from this draft would probably get it done, it’s just a lot to give up. Even then I don’t think the Sabres would go for that move, at least not until the deadline. With their current roster they’re basically guaranteed to get either McDavid or Eichel and won’t want to bring in any players that might make them a bit better until they’ve tanked far enough to not be able to make up enough ground to potentially lose a top 2 pick.
“I hold this truth to be self-evident and maintain that there is no person alive who could watch them both play objectively and think Bozak is better.” Well you are absolutely wrong on that statement, but if you really think there is absolute proof that it takes 240 won faceoffs to win a hockey game I can see there is absolutely no sense in even arguing the point.
I hear what you’re saying, but Kessel is a big boy. I am sure he will get over it, just like everyone else whose friends got traded.
You forgot about the Kessel factor. I have no idea what the dynamic is – but it’s clear Kessel and Bozak are buddies. Do you risk Kessel wanting out? I agree with the sentiment, but unless Kessel is able to look at it for what it is (the right hockey move that makes the Leafs – and his – chances of success better), they might be stuck with him. For now, make him the #3 and have Kadri and Holland move into the 1/2 and see what they’ve got.