Toronto Maple Leafs Weekly Mailbag: Bozak and JVR Edition
Another week, another Toronto Maple Leafs Mailbag.
As we suffer through a weekend without NHL hockey, there’s no better time than the present to answer some of your burning Toronto Maple Leafs questions.
So, without further adieu, let’s hop to it.
“Leafs aren’t close enough to beat TBay or Washington. Not saying they couldn’t but it would be a task. I can’t see them getting overly better at the deadline. Should they move JVR and Bozak and continue the youth movement rather than use them as our own rentals?” – Joey Lee
While I agree that the Leafs haven’t taken the necessary step in order to go toe-to-toe with Tampa, handling Washington won’t be as daunting of a task.
This is a Caps team that was forced into shedding a significant chunk of the lineup they used to bounce the Leafs in last year’s playoffs. Gone are offensive weapons like Justin Williams, Marcus Johansson, along with defensive cogs the likes of Kevin Shattenkirk, Nathan Walker, and Karl Alzner.
Considering they didn’t have the cap space necessary to bring in effective replacements, I think this is a mortal team that the Leafs could feasibly victimize if they deploy their roster effectively.
Regarding your question about whether to trade James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak at the deadline or keep them as internal rentals, I would lean towards the latter.
While Bozak has thoroughly underwhelmed this year following a stellar campaign, centres serve as an important commodity come playoff time. If he can find a way to regain his form from a year ago, it would make the Leafs three-deep down the middle, effectively the recipe for playoff success.
As for JVR, I would risk losing him for nothing in free agency if it meant one more season of him in the playoffs. Playoff JVR is a force, creating a matchup of size and skill that opponents simply can’t counter in the confines of a seven-game series.
The Leafs have replacements for both players in the system already, and I’d rather keep them as internal rentals rather than risk losing their value for an underwhelming package.
“What would the Leafs have to give up to get Jason Spezza from Dallas so he can play fourth line centre for us?” – Caitlin Douglas
All logic aside, watching Jason Spezza play postseason hockey for Toronto while the Ottawa Senators watch from the golf course would be too delicious of a concept to resist.
In reality, however, I don’t see him playing a fourth line role to be very plausible. Spezza’s having a very similar season to Bozak’s, in that he’s pushing possession at a fantastic rate, albeit in heavily sheltered minutes.
I’m hesitant to spend assets for a player you essentially already have.
Instead, just hold onto Bozak, and move Leo Komarov to 4C. Boom. You now have a lineup with at least four capable centres, while paying absolutely nothing to make it happen.
“Are the Leafs trying to make JVR look as good as possible before trading him?” – Brandon Schamp
While I don’t believe that the Leafs will trade JVR, I do believe they are deploying him in a way to maximize his offensive strength.
No one will confuse JVR with a Selke winner, but his deployment this season has dictated that he spends as little time in his own end as possible. His minutes are far and away the most sheltered on the team, as he’s begun a whopping 65.6% of his shifts in the offensive zone.
For a veteran player, that’s a truly shocking number.
So no, I don’t believe this favourable usage is for the purpose of a pump and dump. What I do believe, however, is that Mike Babcock has identified that one of his most effective scorers is a significant defensive risk, and is utilizing him in a way that limits said risk.
Considering JVR is second on the Leafs in goals, three behind Auston Matthews‘ team-leading 22, I’d say it’s worked out pretty well.
Thanks for reading!
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