Good News: Tyler Bozak Edition.
Tyler Bozak is Happy. You Should Be Too.
Twice in the last week – once after the Tampa Bay game, once during the first intermission of the Oilers game – we’ve had the opportunity to watch Tyler Bozak do interviews for television. Twice during the past week, he’s stood there in the hallway outside the Leaf dressing room, spiky hair soaked with sweat, talking first to Paul Hendrick, then to Elliotte Friedman, with a giant freaking grin on his face. The big grin on his face tells you that Tyler Bozak is a happy young man. He’s got six goals and eleven assists in twenty-three games as a twenty-three year old rookie centreman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he’s making $875,000 with another 2.8 million dollars worth of bonuses on the table. Of course he’s happy. Why the hell wouldn’t he be happy?
The big grin also tells you he’s a young man. Those of a certain age can’t help but be struck immediately by Bozak’s youthful appearance. He seems to have a little acne here and there, which makes him look even more like the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell than he otherwise might, but more than anything else you can see the excitement of a young man in his eyes and in the corners of his mouth when he simply cannot supress the grin that wants to get out. Doing those interviews, you can tell that he is absolutely stoked, the way only a young player – who hasn’t been doing this sort of thing since Chelios was a child – can possibly be.
It’s that youthful exuberance that Bozak personifies – not to mention a healthy dose of skill – that is getting the attention of a lot of Maple Leafs fans these days. It’s been a long time since the identity of any Maple Leaf team has been so deeply intertwined with the performance of its youngest players. The Pat Quinn teams of the late 90′s and the early years of this century, teams of the pre-cap era, were veteran, business-like teams, teams replete with known quantities, familiar faces and proven performers. The Pat Burns teams of the early 90s were probably the last teams to have a youthful prospect that electrified the fanbase – I’m thinking of rookie goalie Felix Potvin – but even he shone in the shadow of his more celebrated, but older, teammates Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark. Just off the top of my head, I think you may have to go back to the mid seventies Leaf teams that featured Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald and Errol Thompson up front, along with Borje Salming and Ian Turnbull manning the point, for a comparable level of excitement about players of such recent vintage.
That kind of excitement is very much what has been happening since the January 31st trade that sent established Leaf forwards out of town in favour of J.S. Giguere, Dion Phaneuf and his celebrity girlfriend. In the aftermath of that day, four of the Leafs’ top ten scorers had been dispatched elsewhere, and followers of the team were rightly asking, “who’s going to score the goals for this club now?” Obviously, Brian Burke and his management team were hoping that Tyler Bozak – who somewhat suddenly assumed the unchallenged the role of number one centre – would be a big part of the answer to that question. It’s pretty obvious to everyone that the Leafs have been building the team starting first and foremost with blueliners; free agent signings and the Phaneuf trade have left the Leafs’ rearguard undoubtedly the Messrs. Moneybags in the locker room. A further hefty chunk of change has been committed to J.S. Giguere in net, leaving a paucity of shekels to go around up front, or at least not very many for fellows not named Phil Kessel. With a decidedly mediocre crop of unrestricted free agents due to come on the market this summer, precious little cap room to devote to their acquisition in any event, and a relative paucity of prime quality surplus tradable assets, it is clear that Brian Burke and the Maple Leafs have premised their rebuilding plan on the assumption that some of the club’s existing young prospects can and will develop into serviceable offensive talent.
Back to the grin on Tyler Bozak’s face: it’s the smile of a young man who’s beginning to believe that he might be one of the young prospects who is going to deliver. There had to have been some part of even Bozak himself that doubted – or at least wasn’t certain – whether he’d truly be good enough to do the kind of job the Leafs were so desperately hoping he could. Up until the Phaneuf trade, he’d shown some flashes of ability at times – will anyone forget the terrific goal he scored against the Flyers for his NHL first? Aside from that wicked dipsy doodle though, he had collected an otherwise quiet 5 assists for a total of 6 points in 11 games. Now six points in 11 games is nothing to sneeze at for an NHL rookie, but it would be fair to say that the jury was still out on Bozak’s potential. In the 12 games since the young Saskatchewanian inherited the #1 centre role, however, he’s done nothing but shine. Solid in the face-off circle (he’s at 56.5% as of March 13th, 2010 according to nhl.com), playing top line minutes and in all situations, Bozak has been producing points at an encouraging rate. Over at Pension Plan Puppets, for example, Chemmy looked at the numbers and (keeping in mind the limitations and dangers of small sample sizes in such exercises) observed that Bozak’s early numbers put him in some pretty good company for his age – his production is comparable to that of Toews, Kopitar and Krejci. I don’t know if the numbers back it up or not, but he also seems to have been doing some decent work on the penalty kill.
More encouraging still, though, is the chemistry that seems to be developing between Bozak and Phil Kessel. It’s trite to say that the Leafs’ fortunes over the next few years will be strongly related to the type of production they can get out of the sniper in the 81 jersey. Much of the early analysis of the trade that brought Kessel to Toronto focussed on his supposed inability to produce without Marc Savard’s assistance. Kessel quieted most of those critics somewhat early on in the season when he began scoring at a torrid pace, but more recently his lamp-lighting had returned to a decidedly more earthly rate. In the last two weeks in particular, though, the Kessel-Bozak-Kulemin unit in general, and Kessel in particular, has been producing offensive chances like Habs fans flip over flaming cop cars. The defining moment of this revelation, and of the Kessel/Bozak connection in particular, was undoubtedly the overtime goal scored by Kessel against the Lightning on Thursday the 11th of March (UPDATE, 11:24 a.m.: I originally had this link tagged as happening on the 10th of March, but Charlie correctly points out that I shouldn’t be writing this stuff at 3 o’clock in the morning that it was the 11th). That goal was clearly manufactured by an absolutely brilliant Bozak pass, one that showed patience, skill and creativity at high speed and in a critical game situation. Yes, the goal happened on a Thursday in March, with the Leafs all but officially eliminated from the postseason and playing against a decidedly suspect opponent, but the fact is that it happened.
Tyler Bozak will turn 24 in 5 days; Phil Kessel is only 22. Maple Leaf fans may be forgiven for looking forward – fingers crossed – to many years to come of a smiling Tyler Bozak recounting for one suit dummy or another how he, Kessel and Kulemin managed to put the biscuit in the basket against the opponent of the day.
What do you think? Can you remember a time when there was as much excitement as there is right now about young Leaf talent?
Next up in this series: Nikolai Kulemin.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Bring the Cup Home wrote:
Wow, talk about completely missing the point.
Read the exchange again and if you’re still unclear, I’ll try to spell it out for you.
March 14th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Charlie wrote:
March 14th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Wonder why you guys are getting all emo about Marleau. Who gives a rats ass about Marleau when he isnt a Leaf nor a likely candidate to be a Leaf. He is a fucking San Jose Shark and a side kick of Joe ‘Choke’ Thornton. Who two years ago over a full schedule scored only 19 goals and was a -19. Grass is rarely greener in another pasture, if San Jose let him go and keep Thornton then for certain Marleau is a problem player.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Charlie wrote:
I agree, u need to leave kulemin on that line, not sure why u put in stralberg instead
I’d much rather see this..
Kulemin – Bozak – Kessel
Stralberg – Kadri – Colby Armstrong (UFA)
Caputi – Grabovski – Sjostrom
Hanson – Premieau – Orr
Beachemin – Phaneuf
Komi – Kaberle
Gunnersson – Schenn
JSG – Monster
Press Box: Oreskovic – Lundmark
But i think kaberle will be traded in the offseason for a top 6 forward and a pick.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
DarrenDreger
OV hits Brian Campbell from behind. Gets major and game. Wreckless play.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
KatsHockey
Oh yeah … RT @JeffMarek: Easy for the NHL to suspend Maxim Lapierre, let’s see how they handle someone who sells tickets.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Marleau–Bozak–Kessel
Stalberg–Kadri–Caputi
Kulemin–Grabovski–Didomenico*
Sjostrom–Hanson–Orr
Beauchemin-Phaneuf
Kaberle-Komisarek
Schenn-Gunnarsson
Giguere-Gustavsson
*I don’t think we need to go out and sign Colby Arsmtrong when we may have a more offensive version of him in Didomenico.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
The Captain wrote:
I like this lineup except for Marleau who is taking up Kulemins spot. If you want Kulemin on your 3rd line you are better off trading him. Sign a FA who can play the 3rd line if you dont think we have the talent here.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
The Captain wrote:
I’m beginning to think that we don’t need Marleau. Not because he isn’t a good player, he’s a great player and would help any team in this league. I just don’t think he’d fit here right now. What we need is another 20-25 year old that can stand in front of the net on the PP and drive the net hard.
We also need to give Dion the “C” already
March 14th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I just love that Phaneuf pisses off the opposition and yaps all the time. Loved watching the goalie from Edmonton come after him, wonder what he said.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
The Captain wrote:
acually, very good point, ill agree with u on that, and id love to see that happen for next season, but im kinda wondering why with such a great point, u then mess it up with putting marleau in the lineup, man, he isnt coming, not in a million years with ron wilson behind that bench. i think dropping kulemin to the third line is crazyness. cause he stands out every game for his work and skill.
how about this instead:
Kulemin–Bozak–Kessel
Stalberg–Kadri–Caputi
Veteran UFA–Grabovski–Didomenico*
Sjostrom–Hanson–Orr
Beauchemin-Phaneuf
Kaberle-Komisarek
Schenn-Gunnarsson
Giguere-Gustavsson
OH, and if they dont make phaneuf captain this summer, ill be fucking pissed, we have a guy now, let’s get the C on him. enough of this no captain bullshit.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
4evrb1lue wrote:
haha, we just wrote the same thing pretty much, yes, i love it, give dion the C
March 14th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Dare I say it, but is this the Leafs first 3 game winning streak of the year?
March 14th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
By the looks of things it’s only a matter of time til Dion is given the C.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Dion for Captain…
Anyone watch the Pacman fight last night?
March 14th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
rustynail wrote:
Your kidding me if you thought that was a hit from behind..!! That was a roughing call, The officials dont know whats what anymore.The NHL needs to make it more clear cause now roughing calls are game misconducts..
March 14th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
@ goater55:
lol great minds think alike
March 14th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
kulemin is NOT a first line winger. Hes a powerful player who wins battles but doesnt have the softest hands. much better suited for the third line, maybe second line if we dont have anything better. chemistry comes and goes, this isnt a permanent line. besides i believe the main chemistry there is bozak and kessel.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Missing Testikessel wrote:
Kulemin is the glue that binds on this line. His defensive game allows the others to be effective. He stays where he is IMO.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
@ Missing Testikessel:
what are you talking about? have you been watching kulemin? he’s been making sick passes left, right and center. as kelly hrudey pointed out yesterday, he’s also adept at making plays at top speed. his hands look pretty soft to me. i’m not saying he’s a top line winger, but he’s definitely going to be a top six guy. sure, he will occassionally play the checking role, because he is very good at it, but his potential is much higher than that.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Leafan84 wrote:
got a link for the hit….
March 14th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
honesthockey wrote:
I think in a perfect world, that line is an excellent number 2 line. But as it stands, they are our best 3 forwards and so, our number 1 line. If we get some top line talent, it makes those 3 even better, imo.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Bring up Andre Deveaux next season to take Orr’s place, and make him captain.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
@ derek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD_v2JPgmi0
March 14th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Now before someone has a heart attack…JUST KIDDING!
lol
March 14th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Troy wrote:
You do have a great sense of humour
March 14th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Does the game today start at 5:00?
March 14th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@ kbart101:
Yes it does
March 14th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
kbart101 wrote:
Yes: http://www.nhl.com/scores/index.html?navid=NAV|SCR|Main
March 14th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@ Cameron:
I havent seen passes that any other NHL (other than fighters) cant make. He definitely is a great defensive player, but i see his upside more in a defensive role. also he is a nice presence in front of the net. but i dont know how you can look at his moves in the shootout and on breakaways and say he has soft hands. same move everytime, forehand, backhand, forehand, shot. look at videos of his shootouts. youll see. i see someone like stalberg if he can develop a bit more as a much beter fit on the top line. If this guy tries on the back check he can catch up to anyone. not to mention that his speed creates lots of open passing lanes when he busts down the wing
March 14th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@ Troy:
was it you that had that post that you comment too often?
March 14th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Like Dreger said, wreckless play by Ovechkin. Dirty and was penalized accordingly.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@ Leafan84:
How do you get roughing from that hit? Puck is gone and hes’s thrown into the boards from behind.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
kingkessel wrote:
I had that too. I thought the admins were getting sick of me.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@ kingkessel:
It happened to me last night to! The message said I was posting to fast! I waited for about 10mins, and then I was able to post.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
A play like that is far more dangerous than any hit from behind when the player is already up against the boards. Very similar to the hit on Van Ryn last season.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
honesthockey wrote:
I Think it’s Kulemin’s Big Body Presence that’s giving some more time and space to Bozak and Kessel…combined with youthful enthusiasm.
Kule plays bigger than he is and this is giving the whole line a different approach,as it did when he played second/third line minutes.Anyone that’s paid attention to Burke and Wilson,know that Management feels that Kulemin has been the most improved player this entire year…and his reward is first line minutes.
When ANY player improves,and shows the best work ethic,you reward that player with ice time and improved minutes.
Kulemin has worked hard,and deserves every benefit he gets for it…and the best part…the more he earns,the better the team around him…our Diamond in the rough..Nik Kulemin !
March 14th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
rustynail wrote:
He’s in a vulnerable position. Kudos to the refs for making that call. There should be no compromise. If they call similar plays like that every time, it may clean up the game. There’s no need for that shit. Just my opinion.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
@ Missing Testikessel:
Kulemin is younger than Stalberg but he can’t develop more offensively but Stalberg can? I think Kulemin is finally starting to play the way Malkin said he would, solid defensively and good offensively. Besides if we are talking about one trick ponies check Kessel out (Toe-drag shot, or wide skate cut to the middle shot) he only uses 2 moves usually and seems to do fine. I think Kulemin has a bright future ahead of him probably in a top-6 role and since he has been given first line minutes for the first time this season he has been on fire so might as well keep him there.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I am very interested to see how the DISGRACEFUL Colon Campbell, and BUTTMAN penalize OV after letting Cooke off scot free. Gonna be some good spin on this. Props to Grapes for his shout-out.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
You know who’s missing from this youth chat is D’Amigo and DiDomenico. Both of those guys are absolutly ripping it up. Both have an outside chance at making the team nexy year. The depth of youth has NEVER been this good in my whole life and I’m 35. Next year I predict we’re on the margin of the playoffs with Burke letting the young guys play without picking up any big UFA’s. Where BB will make a splash is with Kabs at the draft. Other then that, I really can’t see us picking up and major peices.
PS: Is it me or are the Leafs actually exciting to watch for the first time in two years?
March 14th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Kulemin is playing better because he’s getting more comfortable with the NHL and also his understanding of the english language has improve alot.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
peterbleafs wrote:
What’s wrong with having Kulemin on the 3rd line? You want your 3rd line to be able to shutdown the opposition and score goals. That’s what Kulemin does. If you want to be a contender your 3rd line has to have guys like Kulemin.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
@ acedanger:
It’s not just you, they are exciting to watch.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
About Kulemin, there are lots of #1 lines in the NHL that have a scorer, playmaker and defensive conscience. Kulemin is the kind of player that makes it OK for Kessel and bozak to take off up the ice. Kulemin also wins the board battles too, which is so important.
I had said in the last blog that I was willing to wait until the end of next year to see how the kids develop. If Bozak is the real deal, Kadri arrives as advertised, Caputi keeps improving and Stalberg starts to figure it out, then I’m fine. If not, the 2011 UFA pool is deep and the Leafs would be smarter to spend their money then, rather then now.
March 14th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@ Johnfergusonjr:
the age has nothing to do with it their both young and will both develop. certain player types develop into their own roles. i know i said that stalberg is a better fit but i still dont think either of them should be on a top line on a playoff team. obviously this year it doesnt matter and were gonna reward the guys who are playing hard with ice time. and in regards to the one trick pony kessel, at least it works, and even he needs to work on enhancing his repitoire. im just saying dont bank on this line staying together and developing into an elite line because it wont, but for now it works
March 14th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Doc_yqx wrote:
Pierre Mcguirre is that you???
March 14th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
rustynail wrote:
It was a push from the side (watch the replay) and you think that was a Game misconduct, ReallyÉ All im saying is that there have been some questionable hits and no action is taken and then you get the Hit on Cambell and its a game misconduct.. I dont care what anyone says thats not a game misconduct, the announcers just finished saying the same thing..
March 14th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
@ goater55:
Shortly after his May 12 firing, Wilson said, Marleau left him a message.
“Patty thanked me for everything I did for him, in helping him grow more as a person than as a hockey player, and that he would play for me any time, any place,” Wilson said.
The coach acknowledged the two had a difficult time during the 2007 post-season … “”Patty struggled in the playoffs, I might have overreacted — I certainly did.” But Wilson said the two quickly patched things up.
Wilson said Marleau struggled much of last season because he “”worried all year about a carryover and I kept reassuring him that nothing was going to happen and Doug did the same thing,” a reference to Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson.
Still, Marleau’s name appeared regularly in various trade rumors … and that didn’t help, Wilson said.
“His name was in every Internet column,” he added. “”I don’t know so much that Patty read all that, but his wife certainly did, and it affected his play. Once the trade deadline passed, Patty probably played the best I’ve ever seen him.”
Bottom line?
“I would love to coach Patty Marleau again. We had our differences, but I’ve had differences with just about every player I’ve coached along the way,” Wilson said. “”Patty is a great player and he’s going to continue to improve and he’s going to be a great leader in San Jose.”
March 14th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
acedanger wrote:
No…six years. 2003-2004 was the last year, to me, they were fun to watch…I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks immeasurably!