Chances of Bozak making the team?
 

What odds would you give Bozak of making our team for the start of next season?

I'm just curious because I've read a bunch of comments from people who expect him to make our top 6, and I've also read much less optimistic comments that would imply he's not very close to making our team.

What are your expectations from him?

About 90%.

im certain, leafs need all the help they could get.

i'd say hes got a very good chance

Ugh, there's a Bozak thread on this same subject every week.

Well you could, ugh, not read it then.

His job to lose.

Human beings really like his chances. Some even think he gon play on the second line. I don't even know what his face looks like. I've read and heard he's a fine player on the ice though. Got some game and all. Some sucka wrote that he can take faceoffs and skate pretty fast. With that playmaking ability y'all know what I'm talkin bout mane.

I'm bout that!

Imagine if he's like some sort of really special player, who is much better IN THE NHL, than even the most optimistic fans and followers think. That would rock some rap worlds.

Ye I like dat slang.

yeah I'd put it at 80 to 90%. He'd have to have a brutal camp not to make it.

To start the season...slim.

Grabovski, Mitchell, Stajan, Wallin, Primeau

Then the 9 game tryout potential for Kadri or DiDomenico.

After game 9, different story. He'll play more in NHL than AHL.

I can't see him beat out Stajan or Grabovksi, and I don't see him playing hte 3rd line. we'll see.

Dido won't be doing any 9 game try out. not that that changes your point at all

I can see Bozak starting on the 2nd line with Stajan on the 3rd.

One Year Away...Do not rush him...this may be the next Bobby Ryan

I'm pretty sure that Bozak will make the team. If not though, the Marlies should be really interesting to watch this year. Stalberg, Bozak, Dido, Mitchell, Stefanovich....

Burke said he feels (strongly) that Rickard Wallin will center the 3rd line and one of Grabo, Stajan, Mitchell, or Primeau will join him in the pressbox. No mention of Bozak but who knows.

Stajan could potentially play wing though could he not?

I know he's a natural centre, and I do feel him playing centre suits his game better, but if Bozak has a solid camp, could Stajan play wing (assuming Grabovski - Bozak - Mitchell - Wallin.

Or is moving Mitchell to the wing make more sense? His style probably fits the wing better than Stajan.

Too many scenarios/combinations to think about. Hurting my head.

Either way, I dont think Stajan can be that shutdown Pahlsson type centreman in the bottom 6 Burke is striving for, so his fate is likely attached to Bozak's success.

I am still in the minority that feels Stajan can be a legitimate second line centre in this league. Just not completely sold its going to be in Toronto. Last season was a good start, lets hope he gathers more confidence and consistency. I like his game, just hope he keeps growing.

Could Bozak be converted to the wing?

Edit: It seems as though we have quite the logjam at the centre position...Maybe a trade is up Burke's sleeves?

Mitchell makes sense as a winger since he played there for a good chunk of last season.

Stajan can't even pot 20 on a good day. He's not a 2nd line center on a good team.

Not even ovechkin can do that! ;)

16 goals two years ago, 15 last year in 76 games (and 55 points) Plus, he's only 25!

Let's not completely throw the book out here. Its a rebuild. Let's see what we have. It's also his contract year.

1 goal in 23 games. 6 year vet. Not the kind of consistency you want from a 2nd line player.

Agreed. But he does work well at centre. A lot of people are having him pencilled in as the 3rd line centre for years to come. Maybe starting to mould him into a 3rd line LW might make sense.