Speculation: In 15 days we have to get serious about signing a center (or 2)

[93gilmour93]

Other then JT for an option I think if for some reason Thornton didn't resign in San Jose I'd give Big Joe a nice 1 year deal. We have the cap space and it buys the leafs another season to figure out the center depth.

Matthews, Kadri, Thornton, Aaltonen

 

[Leafsman]

I agree Aaltonen will not be our 3rd line center this year. He will be given every opportunity to be our 4th line center I feel and perhaps move up the following year depending on need and his play. Babcock will not start a rookie like him in a key role.

I also said a long time ago that I can see Bozak back on a two year deal. He is great on the PP and faceoffs and is way better defensively then he is given credit for. He is not a shut down guy but with the right line mates he can win his matchups.

Given a proper role Bozak can be an excellent player. He's just always been slotted above his compete and skill level. If he resigns, he can finally slide into his proper role.

 

[Scott Malkinson]

Given a proper role Bozak can be an excellent player. He's just always been slotted above his compete and skill level. If he resigns, he can finally slide into his proper role.

Bozak's skating has regressed quite a bit. If he signs, he's going to get $4M. Bozak at his current age is not worth that money.

 

[666]

Leafs could insert Marlies top Calder winning line as their 4th line next year ..

Johnsson (Calder MVP) -- Aaltonen -- -Grundstrom

So the Leafs realistically need a 3rd line Centre unless the plan is to relocate Nylander to the middle.

Here is the list of Clader MVP's. I found it interesting.

Jack A. Butterfield Trophy award winners at hockeydb.com

Season	Award Winner	Team
1983-84	Bud Stefanski	Maine Mariners
1984-85	Brian Skrudland	Sherbrooke Canadiens
1985-86	Tim Tookey	Hershey Bears
1986-87	David Fenyves	Rochester Americans
1987-88	Wendell Young	Hershey Bears
1988-89	Sam St. Laurent	Adirondack Red Wings
1989-90	Jeff Hackett	Springfield Indians
1990-91	Kay Whitmore	Springfield Indians
1991-92	Allan Bester	Adirondack Red Wings
1992-93	Bill McDougall	Cape Breton Oilers
1993-94	Olaf Kolzig	Portland Pirates
1994-95	Corey Schwab	Albany River Rats
1995-96	Dixon Ward	Rochester Americans
1996-97	Mike McHugh	Hershey Bears
1997-98	Mike Maneluk	Philadelphia-Worcester
1998-99	Peter Ferraro	Providence Bruins
1999-00	Derek Armstrong	Hartford Wolf Pack
2000-01	Steve Begin	Saint John Flames
2001-02	Pasi Nurminen	Chicago Wolves
2002-03	Johan Holmqvist	Hartford-Houston
2003-04	Wade Flaherty	Milwaukee Admirals
2004-05	Antero Niittymaki	Philadelphia Phantoms
2005-06	Frederic Cassivi	Hershey Bears
2006-07	Carey Price	Hamilton Bulldogs
2007-08	Jason Krog	Chicago Wolves
2008-09	Michal Neuvirth	Hershey Bears
2009-10	Chris Bourque	Hershey Bears
2010-11	Robin Lehner	Binghamton Senators
2011-12	Alexandre Picard	Norfolk Admirals
2012-13	Tomas Tatar	Grand Rapids Griffins
2013-14	Travis Morin	Texas Stars
2014-15	Jordan Weal	Manchester Monarchs
2015-16	Oliver Bjorkstrand	Lake Erie Monsters
2016-17	Tyler Bertuzzi	Grand Rapids Griffins

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[ShaneFalco]

Bozak who needs heavy sheltering, and can't play a defensive game to save his life.
Sign him up

 

[1specter]

We need to move on from Bozak if we want an effective 3rd line that's capable of playing in both ends of the ice. I appreciate what Tyler has done for us but I think it's time to move on and I will be very disappointed if he's brought back.

 

[Leafsman]

Bozak's skating has regressed quite a bit. If he signs, he's going to get $4M. Bozak at his current age is not worth that money.

He's 32. Why does everyone think he's some aged vet at the end of his career. He's likely got 2-3 contracts left.

How can you say he's not worth the money, what term are you talking?

I'd pay him more than $4M if he signs two years, I'd pay him considerably more if he signed one year. Hell, I'd throw him $5.5M+ if he signed a one year contract but no way he signs a one year deal.

 

[Scott Malkinson]

He's 32. Why does everyone think he's some aged vet at the end of his career. He's likely got 2-3 contracts left.

How can you say he's not worth the money, what term are you talking?

I'd pay him more than $4M if he signs two years, I'd pay him considerably more if he signed one year. Hell, I'd throw him $5.5M+ if he signed a one year contract but no way he signs a one year deal.

You overvalue Tyler Bozak, if that's the case.

Bozak is below average defensively and he's slowed down quite a bit. It would be a gross mishandling of money and assets, if Dubas gives Tyler Bozak a contract.

 

[Leafsman]

You overvalue Tyler Bozak, if that's the case.

Bozak is below average defensively and he's slowed down quite a bit. It would be a gross mishandling of money and assets, if Dubas gives Tyler Bozak a contract.

No, I just greatly value going into a season with options. Bozak gives you options. He can always be traded if Aaltonen or someone outplays him. There is also always the threat of injuries. Should a center go down, having Bozak as a backup limits the impact of the injury.

Why limit yourself by letting Bozak walk??? I rather have one too many centers than finding yourself one short.

 

[Scott Malkinson]

No, I just greatly value going into a season with options. Bozak gives you options. He can always be traded if Aaltonen or someone outplays him. There is also always the threat of injuries. Should a center go down, having Bozak as a backup limits the impact of the injury.

Why limit yourself by letting Bozak walk??? I rather have one too many centers than finding yourself one short.

Letting Bozak go doesn't mean Dubas isn't going to add one or two more. I would rather give $6M to Joe Thornton than $4M to Tyler Bozak.

 

[Leafsman]

Letting Bozak go doesn't mean Dubas isn't going to add one or two more. I would rather give $6M to Joe Thornton than $4M to Tyler Bozak.

So would I! I'm not saying Bozak or bust. If there is a better option then go for it. I'm just saying if it comes down to it, I rather go into the season with Bozak as opposed to trying some experimental plan with an unproven center (ie: Aaltonen or some other half-baked idea).

 

[Menzinger]

There’s no way Bozak’s agent signs a two year deal, unless there’s absolutely zero interest in free agency - which won’t be the case. We need to stop thinking he’s an option, unless the Leafs up the AAV to make it worthwhile

His name has already been linked to vancouver

 

[Scott Malkinson]

So would I! I'm not saying Bozak or bust. If there is a better option then go for it. I'm just saying if it comes down to it, I rather go into the season with Bozak as opposed to trying some experimental plan with an unproven center (ie: Aaltonen or some other half-baked idea).

I'm not sure what you're saying.

If it's Bozak at $5M for 3 years versus going into the season with Matthews, Kadri, Nylander, Aaltonen and Lindholm, I would rather pocket the money and risk going into the season without Bozak.

There are so many options at C that Bozak for $4M or $5M is not even an option.

 

[Leafsman]

I'm not sure what you're saying.

If it's Bozak at $5M for 3 years versus going into the season with Matthews, Kadri, Nylander, Aaltonen and Lindholm, I would rather pocket the money and risk going into the season without Bozak.

There are so many options at C that Bozak for $4M or $5M is not even an option.

Sorry, I think my actual strategy was posted over a few different posts and I may have confused the matter.

I rather not take Bozak at 3 years, which is why I would incentivize him into taking a shorter term.

I'd only do $4M if he insisted on 3 years, though I'd front load it to the max and include as much signing bonus as possible. That way he can be dealt in year 3. I'm thinking his services would only be required for likely the next year and a half. If he can be traded at the TD in year 2, even better. Wouldn't care if we even had to retain a bit of salary. We might even be able to walk away with a pick or two with this strategy.

I'd up the contract if he signed a two year, maybe $4.2-$4.5 with the same strategy as above.

I'd only do anything near $5M+ if he signed a one year deal. I don't see him doing that which is why you have to overpay. The Leafs have ample cap space this year and can afford this contract no problem. Work in a signing bonus, so he can be traded at the TD if he is outplayed.

As you pointed out, this is only if there is no better PROVEN option, ie: Joe Thornton, etc.

 

[Buds17]

Maybe just one, as I think Lindholm is slated to be the 4C. The other spot depends on Nylander moving over or Bozak being retained. Guess either scenario happening is possible, but I'm not sure of how likely the possibilities are.

 

[Mess]

Thanks to Hunter and his love of wingers the Leafs find themselves with a significant hole in the organization in the system.

When previously undrafted Euro UFAs 25 year old, with zero NHL experience Miro Aaltonen and Pär Lindholm are currently #3 and #4C on the depth chart for the Leafs there is valid reason for concern.

Either coverting wingers to centres is the plan or Dubas will need to be proactive in the next month to address a glaring weakness to achieve "strength down the middle" of winning teams.

 

[therealkoho]

That's two pint sized wingers on your 1st line. Won't work.

you do know Johnsson bench's 24olbs

 

[therealkoho]

The plan? Who's plan?

LeaFlanders plan

 

[therealkoho]

You overvalue Tyler Bozak, if that's the case.

Bozak is below average defensively and he's slowed down quite a bit. It would be a gross mishandling of money and assets, if Dubas gives Tyler Bozak a contract.

could i see some blue-line times, or perhaps redline times, or if you have them lap times from 2011 to now?

i'd be interested to see these and see if "he's slowed down quite a bit." Or is this merely some hyperbole. Some of you folks get all over advanced stats and how they're the one and only true measure, and then unproveables like this come into the mainstream.

 

[Mess]

Ryan O'Reilly one of the top FO men in the NHL and a very versatile player in all situations, with great work ethic making him a prototypical Babcock type player. So he would be a player I'd like the Leafs to consider as he is apparently available from the Sabres.

His $7.5 mil cap hit is steep, but it likely also means his acquisition cost is lower as a result so that means his bang for his trade cost is good.

Matthews, O'Reilly and Kadri would make a solid 1,2, 3 down the middle.

 

[Mess]

Off-Season Watch: Bozak unlikely to re-sign with Leafs?



Track the latest news and rumours around the NHL with TSN.ca's Off-Season Watch. According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, based on outside interest in Toronto Maple Leafs' Tyler Bozak, it is unlikely that the veteran centre remains in Toronto.

• Dreger: I think it’s unlikely the Maple Leafs re-sign Tyler Bozak

 

[ottomaddox]

I'm happy we are going to see changes.

I liked Bozak. I have no problem with him, but it's time Dubas puts his stamp on this team.

Should be an interesting offseason.

 

[BM14]

you do know Johnsson bench's 24olbs

So what?

 

[therealkoho]

So what?

makes the little guy thing unimportant, since he's as strong as most big men

 

[Nineteen67]

Ryan O'Reilly one of the top FO men in the NHL and a very versatile player in all situations, with great work ethic making him a prototypical Babcock type player. So he would be a player I'd like the Leafs to consider as he is apparently available from the Sabres.

His $7.5 mil cap hit is steep, but it likely also means his acquisition cost is lower as a result so that means his bang for his trade cost is good.

Matthews, O'Reilly and Kadri would make a solid 1,2, 3 down the middle.

100 % they have to upgrade on what Bozak brought. This just might be the guy.