well they openly suggested they'd do it to reporters, then didn't do it... so I'm gonna assume they tried it in practice and it didn't work...

OR... they realized the condensed season didn't allow for such tinkering.

either way, they elected not to do it.
- Big_Lightnin

This is true. This did not. It doesn't mean they won't though. But yeah, still unlikey.

But I think its more to do with Bozak not being able to play wing more than JVR not being able to play center.

No. This is hypthetical. If jvr was center half of the season, and bozak half, then I'd watch and evaluate.

Id be more than willing to admit I'm wrong if I were. And if it wasn't working I wouldn't leave it keep going. I'd obviously rather swollow my pride and win than pull an HH and comvince the world is wrong and I am right, when proven otherwise.
- UsernameUnknown

Proven otherwise? I told you Bozak would be signed. Thank god Nonis has a better hockey IQ then you.

He still blows
- Mapleleafs_91

he really doesn't... he's just not what most of us want as our ideal #1C.

there is a reason Carlyle loves him.

My only issue with him is he seems to think he isn't allowed to shoot if Kessel is anywhere inside the blue-line, and too often gives the puck away trying to make a pass, or flubs an A1 scoring chance.

hopefully getting a decent paycheck will give him some confidence.

This is true. This did not. It doesn't mean they won't though. But yeah, still unlikey.

But I think its more to do with Bozak not being able to play wing more than JVR not being able to play center.
- UsernameUnknown

Bahahahahaha post of the day by far.

Someone enlighten me as to why JVR is considered so great.
- honesthockey

Is there anything about the Leafs you do like?

Either you're a troll posing as a leaf fan or you're a UG wanna be

Proven otherwise? I told you Bozak would be signed. Thank god Nonis has a better hockey IQ then you.
- honesthockey

I'd imagine he's talking about Gardiner and his sold play in the playoffs...

he really doesn't... he's just not what most of us want as our ideal #1C.

there is a reason Carlyle loves him.

My only issue with him is he seems to think he isn't allowed to shoot if Kessel is anywhere inside the blue-line, and too often gives the puck away trying to make a pass, or flubs an A1 scoring chance.

hopefully getting a decent paycheck will give him some confidence.
- Big_Lightnin

91 knows diddly you are wasting your time. Me on the other hand? I like (frank)ing with him.

200 lbs vs 195 lbs


give up on this argument... Bozak's one of the best forechecker's on the team. I could give a rats ass how hard he hits as long as he gets the puck when he does... and he quite often does.
- Big_Lightnin

The biggest problem with Bozak is that he lacks finish and scoring acumen. He's great at the dot, forechecks, skates hard, is not terrible defensively and he still has room to grow/improve, but like Stajan before him, he's no Sundin. It'll be like when Crosby retires: good luck trying to find someone to fill those shoes for the next 20 years after that.

This is true. This did not. It doesn't mean they won't though. But yeah, still unlikey.

But I think its more to do with Bozak not being able to play wing more than JVR not being able to play center.
- UsernameUnknown

not likely... no.

pretty easy to shift a C to Wing... not so much the other way around.

91 knows diddly you are wasting your time. Me on the other hand? I like (frank)ing with him.
- honesthockey

trying to learn the kid...

he really doesn't... he's just not what most of us want as our ideal #1C.

there is a reason Carlyle loves him.

My only issue with him is he seems to think he isn't allowed to shoot if Kessel is anywhere inside the blue-line, and too often gives the puck away trying to make a pass, or flubs an A1 scoring chance.

hopefully getting a decent paycheck will give him some confidence.
- Big_Lightnin

He needs to realize Kessel is the primary scorer and playmaker on that line. Do the small things. Win faceoffs,enter the zone with speed and shoot the god damn puck and his points will significantly increase.

Is there anything about the Leafs you do like?

Either you're a troll posing as a leaf fan or you're a UG wanna be
- coolehmon41

Love our first line. Love Kadri. Love the off season moves. Huge Kulemin fan. Same with McClemment. Love our two tough guys. Have no problem with Phaneuf. Hated Franson until he had this great year and IMO bc of Fraser's help. Never found goaltending to be a problem.

I don't mind JVR. Just don't think he's amazing.

trying to learn the kid...
- Big_Lightnin

It's a challenge.

The biggest problem with Bozak is that he lacks finish and scoring acumen. He's great at the dot, forechecks, skates hard, is not terrible defensively and he still has room to grow/improve, but like Stajan before him, he's no Sundin. It'll be like when Crosby retires: good luck trying to find someone to fill those shoes for the next 20 years after that.
- gravyface

he doesn't though... when he's alone or Kessel is no where to be found it seems like he buries his chances more.

He's scored some highlight goals, 2 or 3 beauty short-handed goals over the years too.

But when Kessel's there for an option he's as likely to flub the pass as he is to shoot wide.

Seems this way to me anyway

Bahahahahaha post of the day by far.
- honesthockey

You keep going on about what carlyle does with bozak. Guess what he doesn't do with him?

Put him on the wing. Clearly carlyle isn't comefortable enough with it. They pondered the idea of using JVR at center so I'd assume that wasn't the problem.
If you think Bozak is a better hockey player then JVR you need help

You keep going on about what carlyle does with bozak. Guess what he doesn't do with him?

Put him on the wing. Clearly carlyle isn't comefortable enough with it. They pondered the idea of using JVR at center so I'd assume that wasn't the problem.
If you think Bozak is a better hockey player then JVR you need help
- UsernameUnknown

Why the flying (frank) would you put your best faceoff guy on the wing?

I'd imagine he's talking about Gardiner and his sold play in the playoffs...
- Big_Lightnin

Ding ding ding.

he doesn't though... when he's alone or Kessel is no where to be found it seems like he buries his chances more.

He's scored some highlight goals, 2 or 3 beauty short-handed goals over the years too.

But when Kessel's there for an option he's as likely to flub the pass as he is to shoot wide.

Seems this way to me anyway
- Big_Lightnin

Everybody can make a highlight reel worth of goals. Consistently, on the stat sheet, he does not bury his chances; Kessel's an underrated playmaker who's getting better each year while Bozak is not.

You keep going on about what carlyle does with bozak. Guess what he doesn't do with him?

Put him on the wing. Clearly carlyle isn't comefortable enough with it. They pondered the idea of using JVR at center so I'd assume that wasn't the problem.
If you think Bozak is a better hockey player then JVR you need help
- UsernameUnknown

Carlyle pondered it before he really knew much about Bozak.

Even if they had moed JVR to 1C last year, I would bet my own money Carlyle would have moved Grabo to wing and kept Bozak as the 2C to start the season

he doesn't though... when he's alone or Kessel is no where to be found it seems like he buries his chances more.

He's scored some highlight goals, 2 or 3 beauty short-handed goals over the years too.

But when Kessel's there for an option he's as likely to flub the pass as he is to shoot wide.

Seems this way to me anyway
- Big_Lightnin

I don't think I've ever seen Bozak miss a breakaway. On the other hand I've seen him do a drop pass on a break away to a trailing kessel.

Is there anything about the Leafs you do like?

Either you're a troll posing as a leaf fan or you're a UG wanna be
- coolehmon41

he likes bozak

Love our first line. Love Kadri. Love the off season moves. Huge Kulemin fan. Same with McClemment. Love our two tough guys. Have no problem with Phaneuf. Hated Franson until he had this great year and IMO bc of Fraser's help. Never found goaltending to be a problem.

I don't mind JVR. Just don't think he's amazing.
- honesthockey

Lupul or JVR on the top line; either is a better option that MacArthur on the 2nd.

We need to resign our RFAs and let them grow with the team. While a #2 RD would be great to sign with Phaneuf, RDs are hard to come by and we may just have one in Franson or Gunnarsson; they're both just entering their prime and still improving every year.

Macarthur is one of those guys that put up nice stats on a terrible team. Once the Leafs got more talent, he couldn't keep a top 6 role anymore.

His loss isn't a big deal.
- RogerRoeper

Nailed it. Exactly what type of player he is. Useless on the third line and can only put up decent numbers in a top 6 role. Kind of like grabo, but grabo is way better

Love our first line. Love Kadri. Love the off season moves. Huge Kulemin fan. Same with McClemment. Love our two tough guys. Have no problem with Phaneuf. Hated Franson until he had this great year and IMO bc of Fraser's help. Never found goaltending to be a problem.

I don't mind JVR. Just don't think he's amazing.
- honesthockey

How do you hate someone, if he was never played by wilson... great logic. He was really good in nashville and i already knew well before he came here he was a decent addition. There was a reason why burke had him as the key piece in return for taking on lombardis contract.

JVR is clutch in playoffs.

dA fUQ??