Tyler Bozak Appreciation Thread

[Lebanese Leaf]

Going through the PGT and seeing all the unfair criticism he takes is ridiculous. Granted, he is not this team's long term solution at #1C, and everyone knows that, and he is not getting paid like a #1C, he's getting #2 money. In the long run, as soon as Kadri gets better in the dot, Bozak will slot perfectly into the 2C spot and still be a great asset to this team.

I just want to get this point across to show his value to this team:

Let's look at a top 6 C who plays with GREAT wingers on a GREAT team, and is almost universally loved and praised, Mike Richards. Since joining the LA Kings, these are his stats:

124 GP 30 G 46 A (0.61 PPG)

A reminder of Bozak of the last 2 years:

122 GP 31 G 46 A (0.63 PPG)

Also last year, Tyler Bozak took the 2nd most faceoffs in the NHL and had a 52.6%. Richards took the 81st most faceoffs and won 49% of them.

Tyler Bozak spent an average of 1:38 min/G on the PK. Richards spent 1:17.

And to those who argue Bozak spends way more time on the PP... not really, he spent an average of 2:58 min/G last year compared to Richards' 2:37.

Now I am not saying Bozak is better than Richards, but just trying to put things into perspective. At what point do all you haters give Bozak some respect?

Click to read more...

 

[Crispy Crust]

He isn't very good at hockey for the exception of being slightly above average at FO. I don't see what is here to appreciate?

 

[canary]

Bozak would have started getting respect if he left town and the Leafs signed a center who performed worse than him at his position.

 

[rdawg1234]

Good but not great, probably our most clearly upgradeable position.

However for now and maybe another season or two, I'm fine with trying just him at centre, but if a solid trade comes along for a better centre, say a paul stastny , Jeff Carter, Mike Richards level of centre, then I'd make that trade.

but overall, he's good defensively, good a faceoffs and OKAY at offense, he'll make the odd solid play ill give him that.

 

[Razz]

I dunno what else Bozak has to do to win some of you guys over. The guy is one of our most consistent players and is an integral part of this winning team. Sheesh.

Good timing on the thread, Bozak needs some love.

21 min a night, short handed goal, faceoffs and pk work and good shootout skills. I like my swiss army knife player tyvm.

 

[Lebanese Leaf]

He isn't very good at hockey for the exception of being slightly above average at FO. I don't see what is here to appreciate?

Has offensively out-produced Mike Richards over the last 2 years. Keep in mind Richards plays with Jeff Carter who had more goals than Kessel last year. All while taking more faceoffs, winning mroe faceoffs, and playing more on the PK than Richards. Either Richards is also not very good at hockey or Bozak doesn't get enough respect.

 

[ShooterMikgaven]

I've always liked Bozak. He's not flashy, and he's not an ideal #1C but that's no fault of his. He wins draws, kills penaltys and can play a 2 way game not to mention has good chemistry on a line with our best player. Guy is pivitol to team success.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

very underrated... does all the little things right

can only finish on breakaways tho lol

 

[Cor]

This will turn into Grabo thread #456

 

[Crispy Crust]

Has offensively out-produced Mike Richards over the last 2 years. Keep in mind Richards plays with Jeff Carter who had more goals than Kessel last year. All while taking more faceoffs, winning mroe faceoffs, and playing more on the PK than Richards. Either Richards is also not very good at hockey or Bozak doesn't get enough respect.

He rides shot gun with Phil Kessel and JVR/Lupul and puts up a PPG that isn't impressive given his line mates and ice time. His line also spends more time in the D zone than the O-zone when he is on the ice. He doesn't drive possession forward on his line like Kessel or JVR do. He does a few things well (FO and maybe the PK) but outside of that, he is pretty much a below average player all around.

 

[TootooTrain]

Has trouble finishing plays but rarely has a bad game. Consistent fundamentally. I just wish he shot more.

 

[leafspyinottawa]

I approve of this thread.
Bozak does so many thing right. He is consistent. And always improving each year.

 

[William Hylander]

To me it's only a matter of time before Bolland takes the number 1 center spot away from bozak. Bozak plays a good role in the pk and with faceoffs but he has zero vision, he doesn't look to finish the play unless he's in the high slot, and he seems too much of a passenger on the JVR-Kessel line. Bolland really showed a lot of skill and vision today

 

[Lebanese Leaf]

He rides shot gun with Phil Kessel and JVR/Lupul and puts up a PPG that isn't impressive given his line mates and ice time. His line also spends more time in the D zone than the O-zone when he is on the ice. He doesn't drive possession forward on his line like Kessel or JVR do. He does a few things well (FO and maybe the PK) but outside of that, he is pretty much a below average player all around.

- Richards plays with Jeff Carter who scored 26 goals last year, why doesn't he have more points?

- Show me proof that his lien spends more time in the D-zone, I'm calling BS on that.

- Why would we want him driving the game forward when Kessel is on his line? Does Patrick Sharp drive his line's play forward when playing with Kane? You would hope not...

- Again, I just proved to you that in the last 2 years he has offensively produced at a higher clip than a boanfide "star" top-6 C, how can you still tell me he is inadequate offensively? Keep in mind this is still only his 4th year in the league and his offensive numbers have improved every season.

- He is also our best shootout player, and hate it or love it, the shootout is an important aspect of the game where points are up for grabs.

 

[Johny Drama]

Folk need to.realize he is not the #1 center due to playing with kessel

 

[Lebanese Leaf]

To me it's only a matter of time before Bolland takes the number 1 center spot away from bozak. Bozak plays a good role in the pk and with faceoffs but he has zero vision, he doesn't look to finish the play unless he's in the high slot, and he seems too much of a passenger on the JVR-Kessel line. Bolland really showed a lot of skill and vision today

People need to relax on Bolland. He's looked good in 3 games so far, and I love the guy but he is a #3 who can play #2 from time to time. He does not possess the same offensive skill that Bozak does and Kessel would definitely not benefit more with Bolland on his line.

 

[jmart21]

He rides shot gun with Phil Kessel and JVR/Lupul and puts up a PPG that isn't impressive given his line mates and ice time. His line also spends more time in the D zone than the O-zone when he is on the ice. He doesn't drive possession forward on his line like Kessel or JVR do. He does a few things well (FO and maybe the PK) but outside of that, he is pretty much a below average player all around.

this post is a great example of the Crappy mindset people have about Bozak.

He rides shotgun to JVR and Kessel?..............he and Jvr have near identical stats over the past year. This isn't 2 PPG wingers stuck between Kessel. This is Kessel stuck with two 50pt players.

He's a 50+pt centre that PKs and takes face offs with the best of them. He's a guy you can trust in just about any situation.

I appreciate Bozie very very much.

 

[William Hylander]

People need to relax on Bolland. He's looked good in 3 games so far, and I love the guy but he is a #3 who can play #2 from time to time. He does not possess the same offensive skill that Bozak does and Kessel would definitely not benefit more with Bolland on his line.

What offensive skill does bozak have that Bolland doesn't. I don't get why Bozak receives his position gift wrapped to him. I have never been as impressed by Bozak as I have with Bolland these 2 games. Even Nonis attested to the fact that Bolland has skill, and that he wanted to try him in a offensive role as well as a shutdown guy.

Kessel and Bozak can survive without one another.

 

[Porn*]

I dunno what else Bozak has to do to win some of you guys over. The guy is one of our most consistent players and is an integral part of this winning team. Sheesh.

Good timing on the thread, Bozak needs some love.

21 min a night, short handed goal, faceoffs and pk work and good shootout skills. I like my swiss army knife player tyvm.

agreed. i'ev had this discussion with friends many times and i've given up... bozak is our unsung hero.

 

[Crispy Crust]

this post is a great example of the Crappy mindset people have about Bozak.

He rides shotgun to JVR and Kessel?..............he and Jvr have near identical stats over the past year. This isn't 2 PPG wingers stuck between Kessel. This is Kessel stuck with two 50pt players.

He's a 50+pt centre that PKs and takes face offs with the best of them. He's a guy you can trust in just about any situation.

I appreciate Bozie very very much.

JVR is a much more superior player to Bozak. JVR can drive possession forward and the same goes for Phil Kessel. Bozak never carries the play. Good hockey players can drive possession forward and create their own opportunities and scoring chances. Bozak is completely dependent on his linemates for his own personal success.

 

[Daisy Jane]

this is why I appreciate Bozak (I've never had an issue with him overall btw).

When he is not in the line up, it is very obvious what he brings to the club. He's not Sidney Crosby, or another elite centre, but he's a very serviceable one that has a good toolbox that we depend on. When he wasn't in the last game in the playoffs, it was obvious that he wasn't there.

so many people are point watching and making that equal up "not good." (or very wrapped up on the kessel BFF thing).

Kessel fits in our team makeup very well

 

[I Am The Stig]

So basically we can agree that Bozak is some sort of tool...


take that as you will.

 

[34]

Bozak does his job. He is good on the draw and can put the puck in the net when needed.

I never understood all the hate...

 

[AuraSphere]

He's a 3rd liner, it's not that he's a bad player, but he's just not 1st line center worthy. Great player in terms of the small things that get unnoticed.

 

[Damisoph]

I would suggest that the people that think Bozak isn't good at hockey, don't know too much about hockey themselves.

Attaboy Bozie, wtg on that shootout tonight.