Yeah I dont think anyone thought he'd continue putting up points without those guys. He was always a passenger type who got the job done but we always knew he was a top 6 center more due to default considering how atrocious the Leafs center depth was for so long. Hes just kinda mediocre at everything. Nothing wrong with that but he doesn't bring enough to the table. Many of us said it well before he hit free agency that he should thanking Kessel and JVR every day for getting as far as he has and cashing in on it.
Not exactly, in fact he is more of a very specialized player in a lot of ways. He is quite good at face-offs, shootouts and a pretty decent passer. He is acceptable being a secondary playmaker on a powerplay as well. His shooting is rather meh, his defense is quite poor and his skating has declined with age.
That’s like all but let’s say 15-30 super high end nhlers.
Not really, Bozak and especially JVR played extremely specialized roles on the Leafs. Bozak was relied on to win face-offs, particularly in the offensive zone, serve as a secondary playmaker on the 2nd powerplay (which became the 1st unit) and score in the shootout. He wasn't looked to to log any real defensive stops. JVR was even more specialized; basically he was the big body in close on the powerplay there to score in close (which he did exceptionally well) and played extremely little time at even strength or on the PK.
These guys were utilized in a way more specialized manner then your average NHL player, and they excelled at their niches. The issue is now their new teams are trying to use them in a wider verity of situations, and overall putting more responsibility on them, and Bozak at least is having trouble adjusting to such usage.