Toronto Maple Leafs: Tyler Bozak’s Value

Toronto Maple Leafs Tyler Bozak has worked hard to be a leader on the team, on top of excelling at his own game.

It’s worth noting that Tyler Bozak was signed by the Leafs in 2009 as a free agent. Yes, he wasn’t drafted in case you didn’t know. Since then, he as obtained a grand total of 123 goals and 312 points in 497 games played. He’s the active points leader on the Leafs all-time list.

He’s on pace to score 21 goals and register a career-high 60 points this season. Tyler Bozak’s already procured 16 goals and 45 points in 62 games played. I would attribute a lot of his success in 2016-17 to that of his rookie linemate Mitchell Marner who ignited a spark in his game.

But, there’s always more to talk about when analyzing a player’s value. Let’s dig a little deeper and see what we can come up with. And as always, we’ll have some fun along the way.

Grit Guy

I had a conversation with someone the other day about what the word grit meant when referring to a player playing with it. He said it was along the lines of physicality. I told him that I respected his opinion but, disagreed. *I pretty much just said he was wrong.*

There are a few different definitions of the word grit. My definition of it is determination, a willingness to work hard towards your goal. Tyler Bozak encompasses that to me. And no, he’s not going to be a super physical guy on the ice. Who cares?

He plays a game of intensity, which is a great example for those around him. Follow the leader, right? Well, he’s a leader and his teammates follow him. His game is his own, meaning he dictates the play. He’s the leader of his line.

Bozak’s an easy guy to like and believe it or not, that goes a long way in a team sport. Turn up the volume and listen to his response to a reporter in the clip below. Just a solid guy on and off the ice.

Bozak’s a leader, a good one at that. Wearing the ‘A’ doesn’t allow you to be a leader. Being a leader allows you to wear the ‘A’. Just a little nugget of wisdom for you all.

Contract Talk

Tyler Bozak signed to a five-year, $21 million deal in 2013 with a cap hit of $4.2 million. Pretty reasonable. He also holds a modified no-trade clause where he can be traded to 12 different teams as per Elliotte Friedman.

He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017-18 season. Don’t be thinking that he’ll be exposed in the Expansion Draft, he won’t. However, I’m guessing that Tyler Bozak will want a larger contract when he signs next, wherever he signs.

I couldn’t imagine the Leafs paying anything more than $5 million for him, though. It wouldn’t be

outrageous to see him sign a six-year deal at about that price with the club if they still think of him as an option and he wants to continue being a Leaf. Although, by the end of his current contract, the club may be in a pretty good spot as far as the center position goes.

Meaning, trading him would become a viable option. A player like Bozak will generate a lot of interest and if the Leafs get the right price, he’ll be moved. It will be a tough call as he’s the longest serving Leaf and that alone has value to such a young and inexperienced group.

It’s always possible the Leafs might want to pull the trigger on him sooner than later and dish him out this upcoming offseason or before next year’s Trade Deadline. It all depends on the return. In the end, that’s just speculation.

Tyler Bozak: Valuable Or Invaluable?

To answer the question, I first have to define the two. Valuable means of value money wise. Invaluable means to be beyond value, of no estimation. Awesome, we’re learning things and talking about hockey.

I would have to say that Bozak’s a bit of both in this regard. He’s got a price on his head as does any player in the league. He’s valuable to the Leafs because he’s their best faceoff man with a reasonable contract. Although, a team that might be looking to acquire him would say the same thing.

He’s also invaluable because of the whole grit thing we talked about earlier, among other things. You don’t just come across leaders like that all the time. He’s a unique and special player for the Leafs. He has skill too, don’t think he doesn’t.

In time, we’ll find out whether he’s of value to the Leafs or if he’s invaluable. Hockey’s a business, like it or not. Sometimes the business can be good, while other times it can be cold.