well here's to hoping he stays healthy!
- Dozzer

Same here. Of all the players the Hawks have lost, he is the one I enjoyed watching the most. He only knows one way to play the game. Hard.

Maybe not, who knows?!
Not a chance worth taking.
- Cooshie

I think of it from this perspective and personally think it's quite silly:

Bozak isn't resigned. Florida signs Bozak to a 5mil contract.

Is Phil going to walk away from the Leafs, go to UFA status, refuse to sign with any team except Florida?

Or will he walk away from the Leafs because they hurt his feelings?

I'm kind of done beating the dead horse (Grabo/Bozak) here because what's done is done. The whole buddy thing I find funny though.

Bert wonderstone.
- burn

hahah yeah thats it. thanks

Same here. Of all the players the Hawks have lost, he is the one I enjoyed watching the most. He only knows one way to play the game. Hard.
- Elbows15

the leafs have needed a guy like him for a long long time

I think of it from this perspective and personally think it's quite silly:

Bozak isn't resigned. Florida signs Bozak to a 5mil contract.

Is Phil going to walk away from the Leafs, go to UFA status, refuse to sign with any team except Florida?

Or will he walk away from the Leafs because they hurt his feelings?

I'm kind of done beating the dead horse (Grabo/Bozak) here because what's done is done. The whole buddy thing I find funny though.
- markmark

This.

honestly.. if bozak was signed for that kind of money just to keep kessel around the leafs have made a HUGE mistake

thats the kind of moves that got us into the muskoka five era
- Dozzer

The last time we won games era.

no.. you do not sign a guy who is at best a 3 million dollar 3rd liner to a 4.5 million second line centre contract to keep his buddy around.

thats the type of poop that will handcuff a GM down the road.

think about this.. what happens if the cap doesnt go up as much as everyone hopes next year.. and the leafs have to let a guy like franson or bolland walk because there isnt enough space.

but yay.. we still have bozie.
- Dozzer

I don't think that 4.2mill for Bozak was outrageous. he was a UFA that would have gotten that or more elsewhere. maybe he was overpaid by $750K, so what?? Not a huge deal, especially considering how much teams are overpaying for UFA's. Grabovski at 5.5mill, now that is uglier IMO.

the leafs have needed a guy like him for a long long time
- Dozzer

Im hoping we can resign him. Then komarov comes back raymond-bolland-komarov

Do you disagree? Has Bozak ever been shuffled down the lineup for poor or inconsistent play? Kadri and Grabbo sure were and RC isnt afraid to move anyone not pulling their weight.
- TonkaPhaneuf

Agreed. If Bozak was being a jekyl & hyde like Grabbo or showing defensive lapses like Kadri, you better believe RC would have yanked him of Kessel's line.

the leafs have needed a guy like him for a long long time
- Dozzer

Agreed. He is even better in the playoffs.

I think of it from this perspective and personally think it's quite silly:

Bozak isn't resigned. Florida signs Bozak to a 5mil contract.

Is Phil going to walk away from the Leafs, go to UFA status, refuse to sign with any team except Florida?

Or will he walk away from the Leafs because they hurt his feelings?

I'm kind of done beating the dead horse (Grabo/Bozak) here because what's done is done. The whole buddy thing I find funny though.
- markmark

It's all unknown, really.
I just feel much better about this team knowing that Phil is signed long term and having Bozak on it is fine by me. I think he'll move into 2C/3C which will be a good fit for him and at 4.2mill when the cap is north of 75Mill will be fine.
As far as I am concerned, I could care less about Grabs at this point....good luck in DC and watch your wallet when walking the streets!!!

Im hoping we can resign him. Then komarov comes back raymond-bolland-komarov
- Yeti1181

Hello sir. IMO, he probably would sign for around what he is making now. Maybe a slight raise.

The last time we won games era.
- Bigzby

Yes 4 of the Muskoka 5 clan helped us get to the semi-finals twice under Quinn.

Hello sir. IMO, he probably would sign for around what he is making now. Maybe a slight raise.
- Elbows15

Agreed and believe thats still a good deal for what he brings.

Yes 4 of the Muskoka 5 clan helped us get to the semi-finals twice under Quinn.
- GCHonda

Bring back pat Quinn!!!!!!

I've asked 2 different bozak haters what their solution is. Didn't get an answer either time. Same as the dion haters, who have no answer on how to replace him.

I get bozak isn't toews. But realistically he was the best option. I'm not going to sit here and say 'man we need weber on D', cause you know, its not a video game.

Bozak brings more to the leafs than either kadri or grabo (pure offense) , its just unfortunate people only look at points.

I've asked 2 different bozak haters what their solution is. Didn't get an answer either time. Same as the dion haters, who have no answer on how to replace him.

I get bozak isn't toews. But realistically he was the best option. I'm not going to sit here and say 'man we need weber on D', cause you know, its not a video game.

Bozak brings more to the leafs than either kadri or grabo (pure offense) , its just unfortunate people only look at points.
- clark_griswold

Realistically if we had a top line center he be a good 2nd or great 3rd line guy. I like what he brings to the team just wish he was more offensively gifted for where he plays. Also possible they move kadri up top line, slide bolland to second and use bozak third and penalty kill. They only issue is now you are paying your third 4.5 mil.

Realistically if we had a top line center he be a good 2nd or great 3rd line guy. I like what he brings to the team just wish he was more offensively gifted for where he plays.
- Yeti1181

Thats a fair answer and i agree. Point is, reality and the cap prevent us from getting the true #1 center, so on this team, bozak helps more than grabo.

I've asked 2 different bozak haters what their solution is. Didn't get an answer either time. Same as the dion haters, who have no answer on how to replace him.

I get bozak isn't toews. But realistically he was the best option. I'm not going to sit here and say 'man we need weber on D', cause you know, its not a video game.

Bozak brings more to the leafs than either kadri or grabo (pure offense) , its just unfortunate people only look at points.
- clark_griswold

I think that's where you get the divide. Isn't your top line supposed to be primarily offense? The top line plays against the oppositions best defenders, not offense. So doesn't it stand to reason that you would want an offense first player on the top line?

Thats a fair answer and i agree. Point is, reality and the cap prevent us from getting the true #1 center, so on this team, bozak helps more than grabo.
- clark_griswold

Check edit.

I've asked 2 different bozak haters what their solution is. Didn't get an answer either time. Same as the dion haters, who have no answer on how to replace him.

I get bozak isn't toews. But realistically he was the best option. I'm not going to sit here and say 'man we need weber on D', cause you know, its not a video game.

Bozak brings more to the leafs than either kadri or grabo (pure offense) , its just unfortunate people only look at points.
- clark_griswold

AGREED 1000%. When u got Bozak who has great chemistry with your franchise player in Kessel, u don't fuk with that.

I think that's where you get the divide. Isn't your top line supposed to be primarily offense? The top line plays against the oppositions best defenders, not offense. So doesn't it stand to reason that you would want an offense first player on the top line?
- markmark

What a lot of people don't realize is that the good first line centres are good 2 ways. If you aren't good two ways and play with kessel and jvr (terrible defensively) you get eaten alive.

Check edit.
- Yeti1181

Im typing on my phone, its not easy.

What a lot of people don't realize is that the good first line centres are good 2 ways. If you aren't good two ways and play with kessel and jvr (terrible defensively) you get eaten alive.
- clark_griswold

Absolutely.

That's why this has spun into the argument we have on hand. It all boils down to opinion.

As far as being two-players go:

Some people prefer a player that is 70% (offense) one way and 30% (defense) the other. (Grabo)
Some people prefer a 50%/50% player. (Bozak)

What a lot of people don't realize is that the good first line centres are good 2 ways. If you aren't good two ways and play with kessel and jvr (terrible defensively) you get eaten alive.
- clark_griswold

Gradiner and Bozak for Ryan O'Reilly....
Problem solved for everyone!!!