NotSince67*
Guest
I did think about what I said. I did not say that Holland is a better player than Bozak.
Almost everything you've said here are management and coaching decisions.
If you wish to do such comparisons, it should be noted that Bozak did not get a sniff of the NHL until he was 23 years old. His first full season as an NHLer was at 24 -- precisely Holland's age entering this season, his second full NHL season.
At 24 (his first full NHL season), Bozak put up 32 points in 82 games while getting over 19 minutes per game and led his team with a minus 29. That represents 0.39 ppg playing with Phil Kessel every night.
At 23 (his first full NHL season), Holland put up 25 points in 62 games with 14:31 TOI/G. That represents 0.40 ppg playing with the likes of David Clarkson every night.
Do you really think Bozak is the better player?
Because Nonis gave him a big contract? Really?
Yes, I do think Bozak is the better player. You convenietly left out the reasons why Bozak's career started later than Holland (NCAA undrafted FA vs drafted out of the CHL). And that in his first season his other linemate was Joey Crabb.
But let's get real. Bozak pulled a similar PPG as Holland getting matched versus top competition. Holland gets a pretty easy match when it comes to CoQ and the other teams defensive pairings. Holland is getting the kind of matchups Kadri did 2 years ago when Kadri was able to post close to a PPG. What makes you think that Holland would be anything outside grossly ineffective when placed in the same situation as Bozak?
And let's be real, as UFAs today Bozak would easily command 3.5M and Holland? maybe 1.5.
People who follow the leafs hype Holland to no end but he's pretty much only in the NHL because he's in the Leafs organization and Bozak could play for any team.