This is the year that Bozak will establish himself as a top 5 center in the NHL
uhm what.
This is the year that Bozak will establish himself as a top 5 center in the NHL
ROFL at thinking that Bozak makes Kessel. It's the other way around. Without Kessel, Bozak is not even in the league.
This is the year that Bozak will establish himself as a top 5 center in the NHL
Would love to see what our first line would look like with a big possession driving center with playmaking abilities. Kessel, as the sniper, does the puck-carrying, playmaking and sniping mostly all on his own (similar to what Patrick Kane does on the Hawks SECOND line). A dominant center with puck skills would do wonders for that line, maybe they could *GASP* no longer be a negative possession line who gets stuck in their zone all the time, aside from Bozak who barely ever has the puck. Seriously just ask the Kings, Hawks, Ducks, Bruins etc.. who their biggest cog for driving and maintaining possession is, it's their #1C they rely on. Even a lower tier of C's like Koivu, Plekanec, Pavelski can handle responsibilities as such and do a respectable job.
And here we are with Bozak who has some of the worst possession numbers in the league and led the Leafs in GA/60. Even watching the guy play is infuriating sometimes, if he has the puck on his stick, all he freaking does is immediately look for the pass to Kessel or dump it in the corner to surrender possession. He is not capable AT ALL of holding onto the puck and watching the play develop.
Know this: Bozak has almost nothing to do with how good offensively that line is, Kessel is the one who drives the offense and Kessel is the one who propelled both JVR and Lupul to career years. He's the world-class offensive talent on the line, and Bozak is the one with the questionable skillset.
I have no problem with Bozak as a player, he has his limitations obviously. But using him as a #1 center is completely asinine, there's no way a team accomplishes ANYTHING with Bozak as a #1C, and here we are going into our 5th year with him as #1C yet again I've always maintained the notion that after the first pairing on defense, our #1C is EASILY our most upgradeable position.
ROFL at thinking that Bozak makes Kessel. It's the other way around. Without Kessel, Bozak is not even in the league.
This may very well be true but Bozak is the best center that the Leafs have at the present time. We have to hope that Kadri improves to be good enough to play with Kessell and then the Leafs can trade Bozak.. To be honest, at this time Kadri may not be in the NHL either if he were in most teams system.
Don't really disagree on anything, except that playing Bozak as our #1C is asinine. He's far from ideal in the position, but he's the best option which makes the decision the best one possible. Now of course we'd like to upgrade, but getting a #1C is far from easy.
Don't really disagree on anything, except that playing Bozak as our #1C is asinine. He's far from ideal in the position, but he's the best option which makes the decision the best one possible. Now of course we'd like to upgrade, but getting a #1C is far from easy.
This team has a lot of good #2 Players. Phaneuf is a good #2 D, Kessel would be a good #2 best player on the team, Bernier was a good #2 to Quick. Bozak is a nice #2 C . There are no number # 1 ' s on the team. There are none in the system and there are none that are playing on the team. Until we draft one, Bozak is the best option we have. A #2 C playing as a #1 C. You can say this for most of the team.
This may very well be true but Bozak is the best center that the Leafs have at the present time. We have to hope that Kadri improves to be good enough to play with Kessell and then the Leafs can trade Bozak.. To be honest, at this time Kadri may not be in the NHL either if he were in most teams system.
A more realistic option is upgrading our current #2 center position. #1 Center is probably the hardest to find. A better #2 to give us more depth is probably a better option.
Nazem Kadri tries his best given the minutes he has and the linemates.
I think we should give him an opportunity on the 1st line for an extended period of time.
Nazem Kadri tries his best given the minutes he has and the linemates.
I think we should give him an opportunity on the 1st line for an extended period of time.
This fan base is whacked. I have no idea how you can hate specific players on a team, and be in love with others. They're all trying to win, and they are all on your favourite team. Saying Bozak sucks, and that Kadri is so much better makes no sense to me.
Especially since Bozak is decent and Kadri is the one who sucks. Makes no sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzpvtTIJJEU
Kadri sucks really?..give your head a shake there buddy...the highlight above is just one of several you can easily find on Kadri that show what kind of player he is capable of being..its funny enough this is being debated now..but once Kadri reaches his potential or even close to it...comparing him to Bozak will become laughable
Crosby
Stamkos
Malkin
Toews
Bozak
Without a solid #1C we probably need to match up with three strong centers. Three #2C, each with a purpose and wingers that complement their playing style and purpose. In that scenario, there's room for both Bozak and Kadri.
I'd rather see him completely outperform his current duties so that we had no choice but move him up, rather than just hand him the position.
Especially since Bozak is decent and Kadri is the one who sucks. Makes no sense.
As opposed to the player who currently centers Kessel who won the position and was not given on a silver platter?
Nazem Kadri tries his best given the minutes he has and the linemates.
I think we should give him an opportunity on the 1st line for an extended period of time.
How will that give the Leafs more than one line that can contribute
As opposed to the player who currently centers Kessel who won the position and was not given on a silver platter?