It was a successful year for one Tyler Bozak last year after posting a career high 19 goals and 30 points while also posting an (unsustainable) career high Shooting Percentage at a crazy 21 Percent rate. But even that was not enough for people to be on Bozak’s case and rightfully so. He is being paid way too much at 4.2 MIllion this after signing a questionable 5 year extension with the Leafs this past summer. Him playing number one centre minutes with Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk was unreasonable seeing how he often would struggle filling that role giving what he was paid for to do it. He is one of a few Maple Leaf Players facing questions this year especially given the Leafs failed to make the playoffs this year after fluking it into the playoffs in the lockout shortened year with them bowing out to Boston in 7 games.
I will be profiling 5 certain Maple Leaf Players this upcoming season who face the 5 biggest questions, last time I looked into David Clarkson and today I will be looking into the confusing project in Tyler Bozak. Who.. Maybe other than David Clarkson is facing the most question and concern heading into the season
- Can he repeat or come close to last years production?
No unless he somehow steals another players talents ala Space Jam I don’t see him being consistent with last years numbers. He is a decent NHL player but not a first line player. The Leafs have needed a legit number one centre since Sundin left and Bozak is not able to fit in those shoes. He is more useful as a third line player who can pot in a few goals in the year. The coach and management have to realize that they are pampering Bozak way too much than he needs credit for. I like him, but he is not where he should be.
2. Will he see demotion to second or third line minutes?
That is all about the coach and if he realizes the limit that Bozak has, clearly with the contract Nonis and Co gave him in the summer they think he is a number one line caliber player, which is unfortunate because their is a better and more talented center in Nazim Kadri that can easily fill in that centre roll and produce more points.
3.What Do You See Tyler Bozak producing this year?
I see him producing at a lower rate than last year, Obviously those numbers he put up are stupid and he will regress heavy next year so I could see him produce maybe 10 goals and 20 points overall even with playing with Kessel and JVR for most of the year. The Leafs probably won’t have the puck that much this year again as most of the 2013-14 players will return, so it will be hard for Bozak to produce on top of his unnecessary placement in the lineup
4. Could you see Tyler Bozak traded?
Unless some team is willing to take on this dumb contract I don’t see him being moved even if the cap is being raised. The Leafs management seem pretty keen on him despite fans urging for his dismissal. The next 5 years are going to be important for Bozak to see whether he can improve or if this really is his ceiling. Either way it will be a long 5 years in what is a really bad contract for a sub par player.
5. If changes are made to front office specifically to the head coach could Bozak’s minutes be reduced and maybe a demotion?
I think it all depends on if the Leafs are bad enough that Carlyle is canned and who they bring in if he is canned. Carlyle seems pretty high on Tyler Bozak and it will have to take a change in direction for Bozak to really fall from the first line into the second. The change in coach would also be a factor as it could be a coach that finds Bozak to be a “good fit” in the first line or it could be someone who finally after all this time sees what the fans see and that is a decent player put way too high on the Leafs top scoring line.