The Toronto Maple Leafs held their season-ending locker clean out and media availability today, with players, coaches and front office executives addressing everything from their third period collapse to free agent statuses. Though head coach Mike Babcock and GM Lou Lamoriello wouldn’t comment on whether any of the Maple Leafs big three unrestricted free agent forwards—James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Leo Komarov—would be back, one of them made it clear that he’d like to be. Bozak, speaking to media including Kristen Shilton of TSN didn’t hide his love for the team:
It would be my top priority to stay here. My family loves it here, my kid loves it here, he thinks he owns the place. It’ll be tough on him if I’m not back.
Bozak has been with the Maple Leafs since signing out of the University of Denver in 2009, and has actually put together quite a career. Undrafted despite 128 points in his final year for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL, Bozak debuted for the Maple Leafs in the 2009-10 season and barely looked back. In 594 games for the club, he’s recorded 365 points and been one of the league’s best face-off men. Sometimes played above his head on the Maple Leafs’ top line, he nevertheless kept producing including a 43-point season this year.
Now 32, Bozak is set to hit unrestricted free agency but knows nothing but life as a Toronto Maple Leafs player. His son Kanon has become something of a viral hit over the last few years, and it’s clear that he is well-liked in the Toronto dressing room. Still, with the Maple Leafs heading into uncharted territory with contract extensions due for Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, there may not be enough room to keep the veteran center around.
The Maple Leafs will be one of the more interesting teams to watch this summer, as they deal with the disappointment of another loss at the hands of the Boston Bruins. With obvious deficiencies in their defense corps, and a young forward group that is set to lose many of their veteran pieces to free agency—Tomas Plekanec and Dominic Moore are also pending UFAs—there is a lot of work to be done before the 2018-19 season if they want to be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
willing to take 2.7 million cause that’s the offer from Toronto max? Not showing up in the playoffs hurt his cause
That’ll be the tough decision for Tyler. Personally I don’t think he will be back, even at a relatively cheap rate of 2.7. First they may have to decide if Nylander will ever be a C, if yes then we’re set down the middle with Auston, Kadri, and Nylander. No room for Bozak.
There probably won’t be money either. Mathews and mariner are going to be getting huge deals either this year or next and they’ll need to actually get a top pairing dman. It’ll be an interesting thing to watch this offseason, especially after they have Marleau a pretty bad deal
If bozak is willing to sign for under 3 for 2 years, it’s likely they use nylander as a trade chip for a dman. keeping all 3 of marner Matthews and bozak isn’t possible and nylander is likely the one to go in my opinion.
I agree with trading Nylander. Usually when I suggest it tons of fans jump down my throat and remind me how he’s untouchable.
I get that but keeping all three at likely 7+ million eventually just won’t make sense. nylander has value and that should be used. Matthews comments today that he’d like to play with marner more and the fact they split up matthews and nylander almost puts the writing on the wall
Which D would you think could be had if Nylander was in the deal? Try for Doughty? Karlsson?
you could but I don’t see the sens trading karlsson within the division.
I’m thinking it’s more of a Oliver Ekmen Larssen type of level. Matt Dumba or Jared surgeon would be nice pieces for this leafs D.
Not sure OEL brings the defensive presence that’s needed. He’d be like Gardiner only with more offence. I don’t know much about Dumba or Spurgeon, but if Nylander is available, he’d get a decent return and the Leafs can follow the Penguins/Hawks success format with 2 elite forwards and one elite D. Crosby/Malkin/Letang, Toews/Kane/Keith, Matthews/Marner/_______. There’s room for all 3 of MNM, all depends what salary they will demand. Look how stacked Pittsburgh is, it is possible.