By Alex Hobson
Dating back to 2008, the Leafs have always lacked a true #1 centre. Mats Sundin was the last to fill that role, and since then different players such as Tim Connolly, Mikhail Grabovski, and Matt Stajan among others, but none have worked out. In April of 2009, the Leafs went on to sign an undrafted forward who would then remain with the franchise and be pushed into the #1 centre slot. This man would be Tyler Bozak.
Bozak began to find time on the first line considering his chemistry and friendship with recently-departed sniper Phil Kessel. Many Leafs fans were skeptical about the claim that Bozak was a #1, considering that despite playing alongside of one of the best goal scorers in the NHL, he put up merely average numbers. That being said, Bozak was still a fan favourite in Toronto and was liked by most fans, but just wasn't believed to be that #1 the Leafs desperately needed. Bozak appeared in 37 games in the 2009-10 season, while playing on a line with Phil Kessel and Nikolai Kulemin. In his first full season in the NHL, Bozak registered a total of 32 points in 82 games, with his career high being in 2013-14, where he would record 48 points, despite missing several games to injury and playing in only 59 contests. Over the past year there's been speculation that Bozak would be traded due to his average production and decently-hefty cap hit, but the rumours have skyrocketed considering the Leafs were entering a rebuild and Bozak is part of the core the Leafs were trying to get rid of.
STATUS: ON THE BLOCK
It's no secret that as of now the Leafs are trying to make a deal to flip Bozak to another team. They announced around the draft that their price for Bozak was set at a second round pick, and on top of that they stated that Bozak would be moved before training camp, and since then the Leafs have lowered the asking price from a second rounder.
2015-16 ROLE: 2ND LINE CENTRE IF HE STAYS WITH THE TEAM
Ever since Nazem Kadri was signed to his new one year, $4.1 million contract, there have been sky-high expectations for the young centre coming into next year. New head coach Mike Babcock says that he expects Kadri to be an elite player, and considering the pressure is on for him, he'll likely be given first line minutes. On top of that, Bozak no longer has Phil Kessel to work with, so it would be more realistic to see Bozak on the second line. That is, IF he stays with the team, in which the chance is very low.
What do you think the Leafs should do with Bozak, Leafs fans? Should they keep him or trade him? Weigh in below.
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