I am pretty confident Bozak will get 4.25-4.5 a season. I just hope its not with Toronto, and if it has to be, for no more than 3 years. 2 is better. I think he gets a 5 year deal
I just think he has been used in a #1 Center role out of necessity, his stats are inflated 20% because the players he is with are much more talented.
- senstroll
I'm kind of ashamed of the way people are ripping on Bozak. Burke's said it repeatedly, and for him - quite elegantly don't blame Bozak because the team put him in a situation where he way playing as defacto first line center and doesn't have the toolset.
Whether you like him or not, or whether you think he's better suited to a third line role or not, the team did play a whole bunch better this year - and whether you like it or not he was the defacto first line center and played the most minutes of any forward.
It was also the first year that the Leafs made the playoffs in 7 playing seasons. And he was a major part of that - like it or not.
Now he didn't have Kadri's flair -and never will. But he decent defensively playing with a guy who's had some challenges committing to working hard in his own zone. And he was the center between Lupul and Kessel when they both had their best offensive seasons.
What you need to do is compare what his contribution is with that of Grabovski.
1) Do the Leafs want to take a step back by outright losing a fairly young asset - that they have been developing or slightly overpay him?
2) Do the Leafs want to allocate north of 4M to Bozak - when they are already paying Grabovski 5.5?
3) What would it cost to replace Bozak in Free Agency? Ribero/Roy/Weiss... anyone think any of these guys sign for less than 4M per season?
Fortunately the haters on here aren't the ones who have to answer those questions - Mr Nonis does.
My suggestion would be to sign Bozak for 4.1/4 years. Buyout or trade (if possible) Grabovski.
Kadri 2.9/year for 2 years (same money as Subban)
Colborne 1.2/year for 2 years
Komarov 1.2/year for 2 years
McLaren 0.875/year for 2 years
Gunnarson 2.4/year for 2 years
Franson 2.7/year for 3 years
Fraser 1.2/year for 2 years
Kostka 0.875/year for 2 years
Buyout or Trade Liles
Buyout Komisarek unless he can be moved
sign Clarkson for up to 4.5 for 4 years (if possible)
sign Bickell
use Liles & Komisarek $ for one steady minute eating stay at home D-man (if possible) or if possible package Liles/Gunnarson for that - still believe that Edler might be a good target once Gillis extricates his head from the dark hole it is currently in.
