Toronto Maple Leafs Player Preview: Tyler Bozak
By Tim Chiasson
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak, like James van Riemsdyk, enjoyed a positive uptick in all around play during the 2015-2016 season.
Bozak also saw a shortened season, like van Riemsdyk, which was beneficial to the Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews tank operation. It was the second time in the past three seasons that Bozak missed at least 24 games of action.
The increased production that Bozak enjoyed came with his most common forward linemates switching from Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk to Shawn Matthias and P.A. Parenteau. Not exactly a predictable ascent.
His P60 at 5v5 went from 1.25 in 2014-2015 to 1.59 in 2015-2016. A nice jump that is more appreciated when considering who he spent most of his time with.
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Bozak became a more valuable asset under Mike Babcock, something that he – and the Toronto Maple Leafs – likely hope continues in 2016-2017.
Bozak and James van Riemsdyk have been paired at the hip for the past four seasons – with JVR as Bozak’s most common partner over the four years – until Babcock took over. The chemistry developed from previous regimes and the perception that Bozak was a top line center was lowering both of their offensive potentials at even strength. They both enjoyed an increas in play separated from each other.
Defensively, which was allegedly one of Bozak’s strength’s, he also became better. The Leafs enjoyed a significant decline in shot attempts against when Bozak was on the ice in 2015-2016 compared to the previous year.
In 2014-2015 Bozak had a relative CA60 of 8.08 and in 2015-2016 that lowered to 1.91. That’s 6.17 less shot attempts against last year compared to 2014-2015 when Bozak was on the ice. The scheme adjustments and lines that Babcock introduced had a very positive effect on Tyler Bozak’s game.
He also created more chances on an individual level in 2015-2016, recording an iCF of 122 in 57 games, versus 132 in 82 games in 2014-2015.
What the Toronto Maple Leafs will need Tyler Bozak to do this year is continue to build off the game he played in 2015-2016.
If Bozak can remain healthy he’ll be a valuable player that should be patrolling the ice on the third line for maximum benefit to the team. Despite his years as the number one center on one of the worst teams in the league, he’s not really a number one center. And he’s not as good as Nazem Kadri.
The reality is there’s no reason for Tyler Bozak to suffer a decline in 2016-2017. His shot attempts against numbers should come down a little more and his offensive production should be expected to be in the 1.5-1.6 range again at even strength.
Bozak has two years left on his current deal that pays him $4.2M, an attractive number for an effective player if he can continue to produce results offensively.
His age, 30, likely removes him from the Toronto Maple Leafs plans beyond his current contract so there’s a good chance that he gets shopped throughout the season. It might not be serious until the final year of his contract but Tyler Bozak trade rumors should start making their rounds.
Admittedly a Bozak critic, it’s hard to ignore his increase in value to the Toronto Maple Leafs last year. If he continues to play like he did last year he should be able to generate some sort of return before he’s turned away at the door on July 1st, 2018.