2009-2010 Tyler Bozak
by PPP on Jun 9, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
in Reading the Tea Leafs
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PrintFrom Beauchemin to Stalberg, we're taking a look at and grading (please read the criteria below) the 2009-10 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Maple Leafs for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2010-11. That means only guys that are still property of the Maple Leafs. We're doing this in concert with Maple Leafs Hot Stove. Next up, Tyler Bozak.
Tyler Bozak
#42 / Center / Toronto Maple Leafs
6-1
195
Mar 19, 1986
Years in NHL: 1
Became a Leaf: Signed as a free agent; Spring of 2009.
Contract Status: 1 year left on 2 year deal; $3.725M cap hit.
The Summary: Tyler Bozak picked the Maple Leafs over the Ottawa Senators so right away it's clear that he has a high hockey IQ. He signed a hell of a deal that, based on how people react to Mikhail Grabovski, will be tough to live up to. He'll likely get a break because if he costs the full cap hit he'll presumably have achieved some decent points totals. Not to mention, his age and provenenance as a found player in addition to an electric understanding with Phil Kessel likely gets him a free pass. A solid first half season in the NHL certainly bodes well for the young centreman.
Read entire post before voting. More after the jump.
The Good
Bozak finished 11th in rookie scoring in the NHL despite only playing 37 games (12 too many to qualify as a rookie next year). His point per game pace would have netted him 60 points over a full season and likely the Calder Trophy. After watching two months of Matt Stajan and John Mitchell trying to form a partnership with Phil Kessel, Bozak stepped in and made it look like they were long-lost linemates.
While riding shotgun with Kessel and Nikolai Kulemin he faced the toughest quality of competition among the Leafs' forwards. He also had the third best shooting percentage behind the now departed Matt Stajan and Jay Rosehill. Had a 55.2% success rate at the face-off dot which is amazing for a rookie. This is a skill that can be improved by practice so it bodes well as a start. His GVT was only 3.5 but that's for only half of a season.
The Bad
He's 24 and he doesn't shoot enough. For a skilled, fast forward Bozak only drew five penalties. Christian Hanson, Viktor Stalberg, and John Mitchell all drew penalties at a higher rate per 60 minutes of even-strength ice-time. While he did face the best competition he also had the best linemates when he was on the ice. Despite getting over three and a half minutes on the powerplay Bozak only put up 1.86pts/60. That's terrible.
The Ugly
A bout with the flu (possibly of the swine variety) waylaid the start to his professional hockey career. It compounded the fact that he was coming off of major knee surgery. That meant that his permanent debut in the NHL was delayed until January 12th after a cameo appearance in an October 13th game. It basically cost him the Calder Trophy since he simply ran out of games.
Eye-Candy
Audience Participation
Rate Bozak below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season - if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.
The Discussion
Is Bozak the answer long-term to the search for Phil Kessel's running mate? Should Burke be looking to sign Bozak as soon as possible or does he wait to get a larger sample size?
176 comments
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Comments
Voted 8 with reservations.
Bozak stepped up with a huge performance over a small sample size in the last half of the season. His play said to me that he could be the answer but we’ll really need to see him play next season once it’s not garbage time and once other teams start to respect his ability.
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I chose 8 for similar reasons, I am hopeful a full healthy start to the season and not trying to break into the NHL after a bout of bad health luck when everyone was already in mid season form will help, not to mention I think the chemistry with Kessel will only improve.
If the Leafs are to bring in a number one center, I do see Bozak taking a step back next year tho
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Bozak’s emergence all but pushed Stajan out of town. I don’t know if I’d expect 60 points out of him in his first full season, but I’ll be happy if he reaches 50 and helps Kessel start knocking at the door for 40.
Re: Jared’s comment, instead of continuing to play #1 centre roulette, I’d rather try and find a power forward to play with Bozak and Kessel, and pair Kulemin and Grabovski back together on the 2nd line, with somebody like Stalberg.
Rated him an 8, simply because nothing that happened between when he signed and everything that happened in the fall prepared me for this.
No Youtube at work, so I’m assuming his Eye Candy is his ridiculous snipe against Philly, right?
Resident Capologist
if the Leafs forward corpse goes untouched (IE no 1st liners come in) then I’d like to see Kulie stick with Bozak and Kessel. He was rolling with them at the end of the year
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Kulemin and Grabovski also have some very good chemistry together, and if we can find somebody (and the ideal player is somebody in the Shane Doan power forward mould) that pushes Kulemin down to #2 on the depth chart, that’s a good problem to have.
Resident Capologist
Brendan Morrow!
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Also, jared, its forward corps, not forward corpse. I assume this was a freudian slip.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
no it isnt
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
the forwards did resembles corpses more than a ‘corps’
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re an accountant, how does Kessel get to 40 goals (and around 70 pts) with a 50pt center?
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a really good winger on the other side?
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Magic.
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powerplays. Which is pretty much magic.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
which would also mean Phaneuf has a big year
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I voted 7
but really meant 7.5.
That he started underwhelmingly in the AHL concerned me, but apparently the transition to the pro game, his previous season’s surgery + getting the H1N1 flue added up.
Overall, i liked what i saw and am excited by the potential of his offensive creativity, something we sorely need
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
I gave him an 8
27points in 37games comes out to 60 for an 82 game season. This last season, there were only 25 NHL centermen who scored 60 or more points; all but a handful were established veterans and none were rookies.
If Kessel keeps up the 30+ goal pace and the connection with Bozak grows, I can easily see Tyler becoming a 70 point player on a Maple Leafs team that isn’t absolute garbage.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
8's around
I agree with the rating, the Leafs had alot of problems last year but Bozak wasn’t one of them. He’s good with the puck, looks like a smart player, i vote keep him. Excelsior!
by bigrubberbiscuits on Jun 10, 2010 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions
BOZAK
His hair alone merits a 9. I’ll abstain from voting, as my admitted pro-Bozak bias might skew the votes a tad.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jun 9, 2010 11:15 AM EDT reply actions
who the heck voted 1? a sens fan, possibly?
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
who the heck voted 1? a sens fan, possibly? for sure
fixed
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
There’ll be some idiots voting
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HURR HURR, I VOTE NEGATIVE CUZ IS ARE FUNNY LIKE BUT I WONT COMMENT CUZ IR SCURED OF NEGATIVE TALK BOUT MA PERSON
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Indeed.
Go Flyers!!!1
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Maybe Sens_Suck is voting 1 because he’s angry Bozak didn’t win the Art, Hart, and Conn Smythe.
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he was supposed to lead us to the cup y’know
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
9
For his putting up the points of a ppg player in the last quarter of the season. Also for the highlight reel goal he scored for the first of his career. I wouldn’t be surprised if he put 60-70pts next season (20 -25 goals). Mos def the silver lining of one of the worst season in since I was born.
Buffalo needs to steal him somehow to increase our supply of awesome tylers.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Psht.
We all know that Bozak was a way better Vezina candidate than Myers.
"...sometimes I wake up cradling a gourd."
and Ennis only counts as half a tyler
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
BLASPHEMY! TYLER ENNIS WILL SAVE US.
(See my sig)
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
all hail the munchkin god!
=P
all joking asside, the kid is redic talented
for a dwarf
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Vertically impaired?
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jun 9, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I voted ten
because, as sweet as his offensive game was, he was no slouch defensively either.
Also, the fact that, although rumored to have been courted by up to 26 teams, he was smart enough to choose the Leafs. Great hockey IQ indeed…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jun 9, 2010 11:23 AM EDT reply actions
Welcome
Thanks for joining.
It would be great to have a permanent fixture for Kessel after next season.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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That’s why I’m kinda of hoping Burke goes after a top-flight winger rather than #1 centerman (through trade or whatever).
We’re still missing a winger complement to Kessel, but in 2-3 years down the road does anyone else see anyone but Kadri & Bozak being our 1-2 centermen punch? Unless Kadri gets moved to the wing.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jun 9, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Move Grabovski to wing!
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
barring a trade
where a centre comes in, i think there’s no question kadri and bozak are the two best centres in the organization. Heck, they may already be, but that just speaks to our “quantity over quality” argument that a rookie and a pre-rookie are the best we have.
I don’t much care if it’s a C or a winger, but in my mind, there’s no question we need a big body who can skate and score injected into our top 6. Kulie may become that but he’s not yet, so i’m looking the trade route
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
my only issue with this is the lack of size down the middle…. maybe im putting too much stock into it, but i dont want our centre ice resembling those smurfs from quebec.
That said, if they score a ton and we win, then I dont really care
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Both centres are 6’1". They need to put on weight but they are at least on the right side of the divide.
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size
to me, is not so much “you need to be able to destroy people”. I just like an NHL player to be 5’11’’ at a minimum, because it puts the fear of god in me whenever they step out there if they’re not. Remember when Ohlund nearly destroyed Kessel on one of his first shifts? I almost died.
Pat Kane is one hit away from being a $6M cap anchor, i fear.
Size doesn’t have to be an asset, but you need enough for it not to be a liability. If they’re both around 6 feet I’ll sleep better at night.
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
I also hope next season Bozak gets a less stupid number.
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by Chemmy on Jun 9, 2010 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Who would buy a young center’s jersey with #42 after a good season.
he;lp
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Nigerians would! :P
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
;)
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
le gasp! blasphemy!
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jun 9, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
lulz
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s Chemmy’s jersey you freaking Benedict Arnold.
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why the hell are you wearing it? Did you spill some BBQ sauce on your shirt and it interpreted you as food and tried to eat you?
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
We needed Leafs jerseys. Turns out that Chemmy is a very slightly built individual.
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by PPP on Jun 9, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
he is taller than I had imagined
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
i also hear that back in school, some college of sorts, he wore the number that is half 42, thats 21 i think
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
when it mattered
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, this. Basically it says you can’t pick a rookie for a jersey purchase because his number will be different next season.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
except Luke Schenn or Gustavsson…right?
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah, least its not as bad as getting a players jersey before he even makes the team, i mean then you have NO idea what number he will wear
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
The biggest thing about Burke that I don’t like is his stupid handling of the players’ numbers; specifically the “rookies need to earn ’em” mentality.
Just let them pick their damn number.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
agreed
i get the whole “gruff exterior” routine, but do we really need to be setting extra hoops for these kids?
“You want No 4 and it’s available? Too bad. You’re number 42. No wait, your jersey is just going to have a sad face on the back. And your winger will be this coke machine we’ve strapped skates to, and you have to skate around with Pierre Maguire on your back, trying to give you the reach-around”
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
well I don’t remember anyone not getting a number (except maybe in preseason or if they werent going to stick with the big club or whatever) unless of course there was already a vet who had said number
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
pre-burkian era though
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah, but again, it was preseason (no unestablished players got their number) and a one game call up, probably just a “you need to earn this” reminder
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
its his brother, yes
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Apparently he is no slouch either. I thought that The Leafs might have given him a look as he is a free agent I think. Looks like there is no interest at this point however.
by Raja Pakkomielle on Jun 9, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
he’s only played his freshman year and is only 19, but scored at a better pace than his brother did at the same age, so who knows
if he gets better I imagine there will be interest in him next season
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
For Comparison
Players that switched numbers for the sabres last year.
Mike Weber (montador got his 4)
Tyler Ennis (from ?? to 63 for some reason)
Tim Kennedy(from 63 to 13)
Marc Mancari (from 25(Grier) to 12, just to prove that he really is Ales Kotalik)
Rookies who didn’t
Nathan Gerbe (42)
Patrick Kaleta (36)
No particular policy in Buffalo, though occasionally they just use whatever number blank jersey is lying around when they make a last-second call-up.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
haha, Mancari
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I still think we can trick some GM in the west that hasn’t seen him play to look at his stats and think he is a good prospect. (Oilers! they even took Kotalik and he only is useful in powerplays and shootouts.)
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
that would piss him off sooooo much
guy wants to be a Leaf so bad it isnt funny, He doesn’t mind Buffalo though since its close geography wise and he gets to play the Leafs….If he can ever stick with the Sabres
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
wel he was 21 in college and with Mayers gone i think he switches back
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I always figured he just multiplied 21 by 2 to pick his jersey number last year. Does this mean it was foisted on him then?
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Jun 9, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
i know he doesn’t have to, but I hope Bozak does the same thing Mayers did, and contacts Salming to get the OK…
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jun 9, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
yah, its the classy thing to do
one thing that has me worried (as unlikely as the scenario is) say Burke signs Kovalchuck…will he wear 17?
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
since Burke won't sign Kovalchuk
I’m not entirely too concerned about the scenario.
that said, were I on say, MLHS commenting, I might say that yes Kovalchuk would wear #17
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jun 9, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah, I doubt it will happen (read: Am 99.99999% sure it wont) but I just get to thinkin sometimes
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Wasnt Tyler #21 in college? Maybe he’ll go back to that
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
that’s my guess, but I’d really like to see him wear #7 for two reasons
- his nickname (which I never could find the reasoning behind) in Uni was “The Seventh Samurai”
- I like single digit centers
more than likely, I imagine he’ll be #21 though
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jun 9, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Kule will most likely take 14 and I’m pretty sure Bozak will wear 21.
by L510 on Jun 9, 2010 12:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
THANK YOU!!!
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by Sergei Puckizin on Jun 9, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
best offensive centre
what says it all to me is that whenever the Leafs needed a goal last yaer (which was often) i found myself hoping for Kessel, and then Bozak to be the next two players to take the ice. That says something
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
welll…. would anyone be thinking “Shit, we need a goal. Put Mitchell, Sjostrom and Orr out there!”
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Jun 9, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
only against Brodeur
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Wallin, Orr and…well thats all you need
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
that’s worth, like, two goals!
Pension Plan Puppets -A Toronto Maple Leafs Blog: Pineapple Free Thanks to Mikhail Grabovski
by Sergei Puckizin on Jun 9, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be brilliant.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jun 9, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I voted 7.
He definitely exceeded expectations. He wasn’t far off a ppg with Kessel, and he seemed to make whomever he was playing with better (would love to see his WOWY stats). If we were looking just at post Jan 31 I’d probably give him a 9, as I was not expecting him to step right in and do a fair impersonation of a first-line NHL centre.
I docked him to 7 because of only 37 GP. I know neither swine flu nor demotion are really his fault but I if we’re just looking at what we got out of him, I can’t give an 8 or 9 to a guy with 27 points.
What if it was someone who had played 82 games and scored 60 points?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 9, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
If Bozak carried his pace over 82 games I’d have given him a 9. And he might well have won the Calder.
It’s also worth remembering he had a 15.7% shooting percentage and the team as a whole shot 10.5% when he was one the ice (almost 2% higher than any other forward). So he probably had a little luck going for him.
Next year, of course, I’m expecting 60 points (I think he’ll improve, but won’t be as lucky, so roughly same pace as this year). He’ll need to exceed that to get above a 6.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Just trying to figure out your scale.
I’d definitely think 60 points over 82 games for a guy straight from the NCAA would be a 9, but I thought that even 27 points in 37 games was pretty darned good.
I didn’t realize that about the shooting percentage. Interesting.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 9, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
shooting percentage will be partly luck, but also partly how aggressive you are about shooting from less than optimal locations.Do you throw it at the net every time it looks like there might be a screen, f’rinstance, or do you wait until a large swedish person has just slid it across the crease onto your stick, mere inches from an empty goal line. Y’know, just frinstance.
Let’s see if he can repeat a 15.7% before we conclude it’s a style of play thing.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Well for sure :) But if the lesson is just that he needs to shoot more, that means truly spectacular things about his point total next year, so a fella can dream, right (even if that does mean he only gets rated a 2 next year after winning the Richard trophy,
I’m hoping for more an Adam Oates style career (career shooting percentage: 14.3%, though admittedly much of it in a more favourable scoring era). Bozak’s a fantastic playmaker.
Disclaimer: I am not expecting Adam Oates’ career from Tyler Bozak.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
You heard it here first folks, Tyler Bozak will be better than Adam Oates.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 9, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
If Bozak carried his pace over 82 games I’d have given him a 9. And he might well have won the Calder.
Wait, am I interpreting this as if he’d won the Calder, he still wouldn’t have gotten a 10?
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jun 9, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m sorry, but that’s a ridiculous accusation. I would have given the ‘92-’93 or ‘98-’99 Leafs a bunch of 8-10 grades.
This was the 29th place team, and it wasn’t all Toskalol’s fault. Bozak unquestionably deserves a high grade but most of the team does not.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
i think you took that a little too personally…
ya know, I’m a Leafs fan too, so I’m lumped in there.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jun 9, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
We are not typical Leafs fans… It just felt like you were channeling Cox there for a second.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
10 to me is “Holy F***, I never saw that coming”. Given the hype, 60 points wasn’t beyond my wildest dreams. And he probably still would have lost the Calder to Myers, who got 48 points playing defense.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
An undrafted NCAA FA playing in his first pro-season and putting up 60 points over a full 82 games with a Calder nomination would have been a 9?
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 9, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes
He was the most highly-touted NCAA FA that year. Blurr’s preview said this about him:
Since the pre-season began we’ve been able to see why this center was so hotly pursued. He’s played an intelligent two-way game, putting in points and back checking with equal amounts of enthusiasm. We’ve also seen the rookie in him creep up as simple mistakes have been made. However, as the preseason has progressed so has Bozak. Learning from his mistakes, Tyler’s not just making himself look good in a Leafs uniform, he’s making Brian Burke look that much better for signing him in the process.
Bozak looks the real deal.
I know overall the rate of success that NHL teams have in developping college free agents into good players is low, but I have a really good feeling that Bozak, Stalberg and Hanson will all play and play well for the Leafs for years to come.
Being a Leaf fan here requires one to be sufficiently lubricated… and truculent!
by stucky on Sep 24, 2009 12:47 PM PDT
This was great Blurr.
VERY EXCITE about Bozak.
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PLAYOFFS!!!!1
by eyebleaf on Sep 24, 2009 1:00 PM PDT
And besides, 9, 10, who the hell cares. I’m a tough marker, sue me.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Like cheapshot said below, we all have different standards.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 9, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we have different levels of expectations.
For me, Calder = 10. Screw how many points he got.
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Surely if Tavares won the Calder this year he wouldn’t get a 10 from Isles fans. It all depends on what the expectations were.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Sadly, I think expectations last summer were that Toskala would be a decent to good goalie this past season.
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by Karina on Jun 9, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Not rating him as he didn’t finish the season a Leaf.
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is that his VORP?
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Actually, his GVT (closest thing to VORP we have) with the Leafs was 15.7 in only 23.2 games, or -0.6767 (freaky, huh?) per game-a 55 pace over 82 games. Second worst was Lolclaire at -0.37/game. So the DIFFERENCE between Toskalol and the second worst player in the league-on an 82 games basis—was 24 GVTs. For comparison, Nick Backstrom was 11th in the NHL this year with a GVT of 24 (Miller led the way with 37.1).
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
not sure why the strikeouts were there.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
you have to be careful how you use -
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 9, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
So many “minus signs” in a comment about Toskala.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Chemmy said it best, the only options for Toskala are “0” or “Ban me”.
I was expecting him to be in the bottom 5-10 of NHL starting goalies and I’d still give him a 0 for how poorly he performed vs. expectations. I’m not sure I’ve ever hated a Leaf more.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 9, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the only reason he tops my Leafs hatred list is because he actually deserves the hate.
The others, well, I think it was just personal bias (Aki Berg!!!!)
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by Karina on Jun 9, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s cuz Berg was married to Quinn’s daughter.
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What? Really? That explains a few things.
by Leaf in Habland on Jun 9, 2010 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I used to hate Corey Cross alot until he scored that goal that time.
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Not even sure if he’s worth the clicks to vote
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A 10 for him would have been a .900 save pct.
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by Sergei Puckizin on Jun 9, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
8 ish
Excellent end to the season considering the kid lost 15 lbs due to the Miss Piggy Flu… But rockin chemistry with Philthy Phil has to help his cause… I say the whole leaf team comes back African Kid hungry next year.
Jembries
by oneKesselcul on Jun 9, 2010 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That’s hungry!
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by PPP on Jun 9, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Gave him a 9
Because he was pretty much as good as anyone could have expected. To expect any more of him in the games he played is a bit ridiculous. Whoever voted 1 is a d-bag
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Agreed, 9 also. I hoped he would be a competent NHL centre and he turned out to be very good and had chemistry with Phil. What more could you possible have expected from the kid in his first rodeo?
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by Sergei Puckizin on Jun 9, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Stupid Sens. Good thing Kessel will do to them what Heatley done to us for years… those fucks
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I voted 8
Why?
Because I felt based on his play this year and from what I saw, he deserved an 8 in my mind
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole
if it doesn’t impede his mobility or speed sure, but there are plenty of players under 200lbs that get by just fine, he isn’t too under weight
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as his skating etc. isn’t affected I think 200-210 would be a good range for him to start the season.
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by PPP on Jun 9, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Voted a 7.
Would easily be an 8 if he played a longer season. I’m curious to see if he can sustain that kind of play over an 82-game campaign.
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by JaredFromLondon on Jun 9, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t worry, their votes are statistically insignificant – a lot like Ottawa itself.
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by nhlcheapshot on Jun 10, 2010 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
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