Yeah. How can Pittsburgh possibly hang onto both Crosby and Malkin. Recipe for disaster.
- TheMussel

Crosby Malkin and Kessel do not take up nearly the space Matthews Marner and Nylander will

unless Lou works some magic.

When Bozak was a #1 C (by default) he was in over his head and didn't fill the role.

As a #3, he's great for the team.

I say keep him for a while and see what his ask is for a new deal.

Having him and JVR motivated for a new contract can be a good thing.

ALSO, don't forget the Leafs only made the playoffs in the 81st game last season, no guarantee that they do it again by adding only Marleau and Hainsey to the lineup which means they could do well by dealing JVR and Bozak at the deadline.

My suggestion would be to keep them both and see how the team does in the first 40 games then go from there.

Crosby Malkin and Kessel do not take up nearly the space Matthews Marner and Nylander will

unless Lou works some magic.
- Aetherial

Sure but there was a time that they did. And the cap went up.

Anyways, sell waive and trade the rest of the team before giving up those three guys.

habs sign jagr yet?
- Tumbleweed

I'm actually not too surprised no one has signed him yet. Personally I think his game this past season was markedly slower than previous years. His puck protection game just isn't there anymore with all the small fast "pick pocket" players in the league now.

Well they do cost about 5.8 - 7.8 million less then what people are expecting the leafs to sign their top 3 to.

(Im thinking the leafs could sign all three to under 24million)
- Fakepartofme

I think if the Leafs could do that, they should sign the contracts and run.

I guess it depends on what happens this year.

55 points is impressive no doubt.

Yet ask around the league who wants Bozak to give away significant assets to make Bozak one of their top 2 centres.

I'm guessing teams are not lining up in excitement at the idea, just like how Leafs fans kept hoping for an upgrade over him before they had Matthews/Kadri.
- Scabeh

Bozak is a good player, doesn't matter how many teams are interested as long as there are two at the deadline - Leafs will get value for him. Good on draws and will not be looking for a significant increase over last contract. In a salary cap world, value with respect to contract is a serious consideration. Bozak had more points than Kopitar but was $5.8 million less of a cap hit.

Bozak is a good player, doesn't matter how many teams are interested as long as there are two at the deadline - Leafs will get value for him. Good on draws and will not be looking for a significant increase over last contract. In a salary cap world, value with respect to contract is a serious consideration. Bozak had more points than Kopitar but was $5.8 million less of a cap hit.
- winsix

Leafs should keep him then. He's awesome!

Bozak is a good player, doesn't matter how many teams are interested as long as there are two at the deadline - Leafs will get value for him. Good on draws and will not be looking for a significant increase over last contract. In a salary cap world, value with respect to contract is a serious consideration. Bozak had more points than Kopitar but was $5.8 million less of a cap hit.
- winsix

I can get back to work now that Bozak has finally been compared to Kopitar.

When Bozak was a #1 C (by default) he was in over his head and didn't fill the role.

As a #3, he's great for the team.

I say keep him for a while and see what his ask is for a new deal.

Having him and JVR motivated for a new contract can be a good thing.

ALSO, don't forget the Leafs only made the playoffs in the 81st game last season, no guarantee that they do it again by adding only Marleau and Hainsey to the lineup which means they could do well by dealing JVR and Bozak at the deadline.

My suggestion would be to keep them both and see how the team does in the first 40 games then go from there.
- cracka

Ottawa with a sub-par team didn't almost made the playoffs either, and due to fortunate matchup got to the Eastern Finals..

Leafs would have probably progressed as well if they would not have ended up with the Caps in 1st round

Coming season, Toronto will get 1st / 2nd in Atlantic.

I can get back to work now that Bozak has finally been compared to Kopitar.
- TheMussel

I'm actually not too surprised no one has signed him yet. Personally I think his game this past season was markedly slower than previous years. His puck protection game just isn't there anymore with all the small fast "pick pocket" players in the league now.
- markmark

never underestimate the Jagr

Leafs should keep him then. He's awesome!
- Scabeh

Breaking:
TOR sends Leo Komarov and Martin Marincin to MTL for Drouin

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 4, 2017

Leafs should keep him then. He's awesome!
- Scabeh

They will move him at the deadline. Meanwhile Enjoy Holland - he's perfect for the Habs!

They will move him at the deadline. Meanwhile Enjoy Holland - he's perfect for the Habs!

- winsix

I'm going to get strung up in here for saying this but... I didn't hate Holland. I see him as a slower Hyman with better hands.

Howard Berger: “#Leafs apparently talking trade with Colorado, Calgary and the Rangers. Details sketchy. But, looking to off-load salary for a d-man.”
- Maverick0304

(frank)ing Burger, still bitter and putting a negative slant on everything.

Believe it or not, Bozak and JVR both have some value. Maybe not huge value because of the term left on their contracts, but some value. We aren't talking Phaneuf / Ryan salary dumps

They will move him at the deadline. Meanwhile Enjoy Holland - he's perfect for the Habs!

- winsix

His team is called the Rockets.

Nice try though!

Well it would make alot of sense but I don't dare pretend to know what lines the Leafs ice next season.

Just let the Habs winning streak continue!
- Scabeh

Absolutely! I would love for the Habs to have many more years like the last few.

Absolutely! I would love for the Habs to have many more years like the last few.
- Aetherial

The Octocup dynasty MUST continue.

This is what hockey is all about after all.

Could you live with the Habs never winning the Stanley cup but having the Leafs never being able to beat them while not necessarely winning a cup themselves?

I can get back to work now that Bozak has finally been compared to Kopitar.
- TheMussel

Strictly stats - Kopitar was a $10 million cap hit scored 52 points, Bozak was a $4.2 million cap hit scored 55 points. If you want to take it a step further, Kopitar averaged 20:46 of ice time per game, Bozak was 16:26 per game.

Sure but there was a time that they did. And the cap went up.

Anyways, sell waive and trade the rest of the team before giving up those three guys.
- TheMussel

I don't disagree but the whole point is to ice a solid, skilled team with depth.

If the Leafs spend huge on those 3 they are going to have a tough time icing a good squad around them which kind of defeats the whole purpose.

We'll have to wait and see what Dubloushanacock comes up with.

On the Leafs yes, on Ottawa, Montreal,Rangers and many others no. Scored 55 points, more than MacKinnon, Drouin, Hall, Radulov, Simmonds, Kreici, same as Steppan and Turris - still calling him a third line centre?
- winsix

ITs the first time in his career he's gotten over 50 points.
Ya, on certain teams he could easily be a 2nd liner...true, agreed.

His team is called the Rockets.

Nice try though!
- Scabeh

He will be on the big club this season - keep denying it and tap your pointy shiny red shoes together.

The Octocup dynasty MUST continue.

This is what hockey is all about after all.

Could you live with the Habs never winning the Stanley cup but having the Leafs never being able to beat them while not necessarely winning a cup themselves?
- Scabeh

yes

He will be on the big club this season - keep denying it and tap your pointy shiny red shoes together.
- winsix

If injuries happen, sure, it might happen.

Not a big fan of Holland. It's a depth signing, 2 way contract, destined for the AHL if things go the way they're planned.

ITs the first time in his career he's gotten over 50 points.
Ya, on certain teams he could easily be a 2nd liner...true, agreed.
- Fakepartofme

He's got some value, the short contract limits that a bit.