Tyler Bozak: The case for and against (Mirtle)

[The Winter Soldier]

When you factored in linemates, defensive responsibility, and zone starts 16 points was still pretty lackluster for Grabovski in his last year here. Thank god we replaced his salary with demi-god Davie Clarkman.

Bozak gets top-line minutes/PP time with our best offensive players, and rightfully so, more is expected from him. The criticism seems pretty fair to me. But he still remains bottom of the barrel in Corsi.

Grabovski has been on a steady decline, did you ignore my post of his stats since the 16 point season. I admire his courage, but he has clearly taken an awful beating in recent years. That ship has long sailed.

As for getting top mins with offensive linemates, all productive players do. Name me one that doesn't?

Bozak since signing his 4M per contract has 76 points in 92 games. For a player that makes 4M per, this is good in light of one making 5.5 is not even close to that production.

 

[Hockey Talker29]

I guess it depends on your definition of "good".

12 goals, 27 points in 34 games would, in all fairness, be considered pretty decent by some folks. To others, those points appear to be useless.

That said, I don't think anyone will argue that the Bozak-Kessel line has been particularly good at the possession game.

His point totals look good, although they have been tailing off significantly since his hot start.

Nothing else about his game has looked good for the past 15-20 games. Most nights he is visible, only as a defensive liability. His lack of versatility in our lineup is really hurting our ability to alter our line combos. He's just not very good without Kessel, and they're not even very good when they're together.

Kessel needs to be sheltered at ES. He is horrible defensively, and it makes Bozak look worse when Phil goes cold. If they're going to stay together, Carlyle needs to severely cut their ES ice-time and try to match them against 2nd and 3rd lines and D pairings as much as possible.

I'm not sure breaking them up is a viable solution, because Bozak looks terrible without him. He has basically zero offensive output, and still isn't strong defensively.

 

[Commander Clueless]

His point totals look good, although they have been tailing off significantly since his hot start.

Nothing else about his game has looked good for the past 15-20 games. Most nights he is visible, only as a defensive liability. His lack of versatility in our lineup is really hurting our ability to alter our line combos. He's just not very good without Kessel, and they're not even very good when they're together.

Kessel needs to be sheltered at ES. He is horrible defensively, and it makes Bozak look worse when Phil goes cold. If they're going to stay together, Carlyle needs to severely cut their ES ice-time and try to match them against 2nd and 3rd lines and D pairings as much as possible.

I'm not sure breaking them up is a viable solution, because Bozak looks terrible without him. He has basically zero offensive output, and still isn't strong defensively.

A fair discussion. My main point there was that Bozak is not "useless" as the claim seems to be.

I honestly don't know if we have enough "Bozak without Kessel" evidence to say he couldn't be used elsewhere effectively. His play away from Kessel was, for the most part, restricted to a faceoff specialist and not much else.

JVR-Bozak-Kessel is a line that excels on the powerplay and off the rush, and it's in these two places that it should be used. Carlyle can always go back to them should the Leafs need a goal, for example.

To me, the Kessel line looked its best at even strength when it had Winnik on it. It actually clogged the neutral zone and played the counter-attack.

I'd like to see this explored more. I know changing up the lines/chemistry when you are on a hot streak is difficult to justify, but after a 3 game skid I think it's time for Randy to shake it up a bit and balance the lines a bit more.

Do I expect it to happen? No. Both Wilson and Carlyle keep going back to that line as an all in "rush" line (which has its uses, but for a team with bottom of the barrel possession stats and needs to cut its GA, this needs to be tried I think).

 

[Wafflewhipper]

His point totals look good, although they have been tailing off significantly since his hot start.

Nothing else about his game has looked good for the past 15-20 games. Most nights he is visible, only as a defensive liability. His lack of versatility in our lineup is really hurting our ability to alter our line combos. He's just not very good without Kessel, and they're not even very good when they're together.

Kessel needs to be sheltered at ES. He is horrible defensively, and it makes Bozak look worse when Phil goes cold. If they're going to stay together, Carlyle needs to severely cut their ES ice-time and try to match them against 2nd and 3rd lines and D pairings as much as possible.

I'm not sure breaking them up is a viable solution, because Bozak looks terrible without him. He has basically zero offensive output, and still isn't strong defensively.

The first line needs power play time taken away. Poof that's as good as benching them. There has to be a message sent in some fashion. Maybe they will all get mad and waive any no trade clauses they have lol. Only put Kessel on the power play if he wants to stand in front lol.

These babysitting days need to end though on a serious note. Why should they get away with it really. Frigging bypass them on second power play to really sink it in. I wonder how many games it would take before they were really angry? I would guess about 35. To hell with this team wrecker line.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Ah but as I recall, that was Carlyle's fault for playing him as a shutdown centre and not giving him enough minutes.

He hasn't lit it up since he left Toronto either. Reasons are obvious. Too many hits, he's gotten very old fast at only 31 years old.

Regardless, I would understand why Bozak would be critiqued here if he were paid 5.5, I would certainly understand why he would be critiqued if he were making Kessel money.

But for 4M per, which is what Gardiner is making. He is doing fine.

 

[Commander Clueless]

He hasn't lit it up since he left Toronto either. Reasons are obvious. Too many hits, he's gotten very old fast at only 31 years old.

Regardless, I would understand why Bozak would be critiqued here if he were paid 5.5, I would certainly understand why he would be critiqued if he were making Kessel money.

But for 4M per, which is what Gardiner is making. He is doing fine.

I think people are just frustrated with the top line's possession play. It is a little ridiculous how often that line gets pinned.

I'm not sure that falls entirely on Bozak, though. Nor do I think it makes him outright suck.

I do think Randy needs to adjust the lines, though. Question becomes, is that even possible? For whatever reason, whenever Phil and Bozie are split up, they end up back together in short order.

 

[Wendigo]

He's a second liner making the best of an opportunity. Obviously Kessel pads his output, but I still think he's solid. Nevertheless, he's not a bona fide number one. He has no size, he creates almost no space or time for Kessel, his back checking is spotty. If he wasn't so good on faceoffs his possession numbers would be dismal, and he'd be relegated to the third line. Great on the shootouts. Personally I think he's trade worthy only because the perception of his candidacy as an All Star calibre talent.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I think people are just frustrated with the top line's possession play. It is a little ridiculous how often that line gets pinned.

I'm not sure that falls entirely on Bozak, though. Nor do I think it makes him outright suck.

I do think Randy needs to adjust the lines, though. Question becomes, is that even possible? For whatever reason, whenever Phil and Bozie are split up, they end up back together in short order.

The blame should be proportionate tp the salaries they make.

Neither Bozak and JVR are paid as 1st liners. Both are 4.2 cap hits. 5th and 6th highest paid on the team.

Mind you the line is still producing offensively. But when Kessel makes 8M per, twice as much as his linemates. The bulk of the blame falls on him. He is the only player being paid 1st line elite money. More is expected from him.

 

[hockeyfanz*]

He hasn't lit it up since he left Toronto either. Reasons are obvious. Too many hits, he's gotten very old fast at only 31 years old.

Regardless, I would understand why Bozak would be critiqued here if he were paid 5.5, I would certainly understand why he would be critiqued if he were making Kessel money.

But for 4M per, which is what Gardiner is making. He is doing fine.

Disagree..I think he only makes that money because of his inflated numbers playing where he shouldn't be playing. IE if he were say on the Bruins (if he could stick on that team with their defense first approach) he would be down the depth chart to maybe even the 4th line. I never have liked him but this year giving him credit for being a somewhat useful depth player with specialties (shootout and faceoffs)..4M is too much to pay for that. Its only because they use him in the wrong capacity that makes it appear that he is worthy of his contract. Not true.

 

[hockeyfanz*]

The blame should be proportionate tp the salaries they make.

Neither Bozak and JVR are paid as 1st liners. Both are 4.2 cap hits. 5th and 6th highest paid on the team.

Mind you the line is still producing offensively. But when Kessel makes 8M per, twice as much as his linemates. The bulk of the blame falls on him. He is the only player being paid 1st line elite money. More is expected from him.

Id say Kessel is paid closer to his true value than either of JVR or Bozak.

 

[King85Kong]

His point totals look good, although they have been tailing off significantly since his hot start.

Nothing else about his game has looked good for the past 15-20 games. Most nights he is visible, only as a defensive liability. His lack of versatility in our lineup is really hurting our ability to alter our line combos. He's just not very good without Kessel, and they're not even very good when they're together.

Kessel needs to be sheltered at ES. He is horrible defensively, and it makes Bozak look worse when Phil goes cold. If they're going to stay together, Carlyle needs to severely cut their ES ice-time and try to match them against 2nd and 3rd lines and D pairings as much as possible.

I'm not sure breaking them up is a viable solution, because Bozak looks terrible without him. He has basically zero offensive output, and still isn't strong defensively.

They have been getting matched up by other teams lower lines, yet they haven't done much better. The line is just to weak on the puck. Teams are realizing that you can beat them at ES by getting the puck deep and cycling on them. All three of them have been questionable defensively.

According to Mirtle, Bozak stated that during the open window period before the Leafs re-signed him, no other teams called him. Ouch.

 

[leafstilldeath*]

Bozak is the 4th higest paid forward after Kessel, Clarkson facepalm and Lupul

Bozak is the higest paid center on the leafs and the worst center in terms of 5on5 Goal differentials and shots differentials on the leafs. Go figure.

Give all the stats Bozak-Kessel put quite a bit of stress on the Leafs than the opposition.

 

[Bill Waters*]

goal

 

[Snow Dog]

goal

But Bozak sucks

 

[Commander Clueless]

Bozak is the 4th higest paid forward after Kessel, Clarkson facepalm and Lupul

Bozak is the higest paid center on the leafs and the worst center in terms of 5on5 Goal differentials and shots differentials on the leafs. Go figure.

Give all the stats Bozak-Kessel put quite a bit of stress on the Leafs than the opposition.

5th. JVR makes 50K more.

Also 3rd in points I believe, so I mean...there is that.

 

[leafstilldeath*]

5th. JVR makes 50K more.

Also 3rd in points I believe, so I mean...there is that.

lol touché

that said 3rd in points doesn't mean much if he is on ice for more goals against

 

[Commander Clueless]

lol touché

that said 3rd in points doesn't mean much if he is on ice for more goals against

A problem that plagues that entire line.


Would really like to see them balance offense/defense a little better.

 

[King85Kong]

Bozak is the tale of two players. Has been good on the powerplay and bad at even strength.

 

[mikebel111*]

Bozak is the tale of two players. Has been good on the powerplay and bad at even strength.

With Kadri showing he can play with JVR and at times Kessel when Randy isn't in love with the terrible D game of Tyler "-32 Bozak", I think it's time to sell high on Bozak

 

[mikebel111*]

Bozak stop being terrible on D
You give us heart attacks it seems

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Bozak stop being terrible on D
You give us heart attacks it seems

Is there a reason more than half your posts mention Bozak? It's really quite perplexing but it's literally all you talk about, even when you talk about Kadri you have to insult Bozak.

You just seem to be going out of your way to get a reaction between Bozak digs and saying the fans don't deserve stuff, pity it makes this place a lot less fun to read but I suppose that's your end goal anyways.

 

[Purity*]

Find me top-6 centers on other teams that are bottom of their team in Corsi. Last time I looked through, I found two, Stepan and Henrique, and to their defense, they had way better corsi last year. You also won't find another center with such a high GA/60 while being so low in corsi. I'm tired of seeing his linemates getting blamed. Bozak has some serious deficiencies with puck control and cycling. JVR and Kessel have been receiving tons of criticism lately regarding their defensive games, why is Bozak getting a free pass?

Since his hot start where he was cashing in hardcore in the PP, he has 4 points in his last 10 games playing lackluster defense as well.

 

[leafs in five]

The blame should be proportionate tp the salaries they make.

what on earth

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

So old man Grabovski with the bad contract is on a decline despite putting up 1.90 P/60 5v5 this season (and ~55% GF% and CF%), but first line center Tyler Bozak is a bargain with his 1.43 P/60, 45% GF% and sparkling 42% CF%. Gotcha, merry Christmas everyone!

 

[mikebel111*]

Is there a reason more than half your posts mention Bozak? It's really quite perplexing but it's literally all you talk about, even when you talk about Kadri you have to insult Bozak.

You just seem to be going out of your way to get a reaction between Bozak digs and saying the fans don't deserve stuff, pity it makes this place a lot less fun to read but I suppose that's your end goal anyways.

I agree is would be so much better if I said Tyler is an elite C.

What I said is true, and if you don't like to admit it, than I guess you like hemmed in own zone players