Wilson would be a huge upgrade at 1C, Bozie is not a 1C. Like someone posted he fans out on scoring chances and is long slumping periods. Wilson would be great in a Leaf uniform and would excel with Lupal and Kessel. The guy is big strong and has speed, not to mention he will be in front of the net.
Wilson would be a huge upgrade at 1C, Bozie is not a 1C. Like someone posted he fans out on scoring chances and is long slumping periods. Wilson would be great in a Leaf uniform and would excel with Lupal and Kessel. The guy is big strong and has speed, not to mention he will be in front of the net.
Wilson would be a huge coup for us. Highly skilled/high IQ player up the middle who makes his teammates better. Count me in on this.
Bozak is a whopping two years younger. By that age, grabbo had already ammassed 50 points playing with two second liners, something bozak couldnt do playing with two first liners. So I highly doubt bozaks potential is higher.
Bozak plays best with kessel because he is bigger. Thats why guys like lombo, connolly and grabovski dont work. Theyre too small. Bozak is not the better centerman though, and is easily replaceable. Hope you realize that.
I'd be interested in seeing what Bozak can do this year. His third full-season, and a contract year going into free agency. The latter seems to be overlooked.
Grabovski is the better player, but if we can move him in a package for Ryan (starting to warm up to him), I'd be alright seeing Bozak on the top line. Not ideal, but whatever. I recall hearing that Kadri will start the year off as a center. Between him, Colborne, Connolly and a fully healthy Lombardi, we should be ok on our second line.
I never said Grabo had bad linemates. I just said his linemates struggled. Kulie and Mac are good players.
Perhaps you have a different feelings, but I felt like Grabo was the best player on that line 90% of the time this past season. He was the only one creating chances, but no one could finish for him. He's obviously not a perfect player. He sometimes makes poor plays where he just comes in and throws a weak shot on net or into the defenders shins, and is also a bit streaky. With that said the guy has top notch effort every night and he loves it here and he has a great attitude. Burke is clearly a fan too.
I dont think we should settle for either though as our top center. One should go and we need to bring in a true number 1 someday. Id feel better with Grabo behind that number 1 vs. Bozak as I feel Bozak just doesnt look like the same player without Kessel. Grabo proved that even with struggling linemates he is a 50 pt player.
Fair points, it is sometimes lost, but MacArthur actually scored 1 less goal last year than his previous season, in 9 games less. So his production didn't slip actually. Kule's obviously did. In my opinion, Grabo will always be the player that looks good out there, he plays that sexy, flashy game, where when you look at him, you say 70 pt man, but in the end due to ordinary hockey sense, as you say questionable decision making on the ice, he seems destined to be a guy that will always leave you wanting more. Which is the usual 50-55 pt range.
It is important to remember Bozak is a player entering only his 3rd full NHL season, I said this last year coming off a bad year, he would have a good bouceback season. I'm saying it again, I wouldn't be surprised if he surpasses his career high 47 pts this year either. He is progressing as a pro, he finished strong last year despite the loss of Lupul. Think he's got more to offer than what he has shown even with last year's fine season.
Fair points, it is sometimes lost, but MacArthur actually scored 1 less goal last year than his previous season, in 9 games less. So his production didn't slip actually. Kule's obviously did. In my opinion, Grabo will always be the player that looks good out there, he plays that sexy, flashy game, where when you look at him, you say 70 pt man, but in the end due to ordinary hockey sense, as you say questionable decision making on the ice, he seems destined to be a guy that will always leave you wanting more. Which is the usual 50-55 pt range.
It is important to remember Bozak is a player entering only his 3rd full NHL season, I said this last year coming off a bad year, he would have a good bouceback season. I'm saying it again, I wouldn't be surprised if he surpasses his career high 47 pts this year either. He is progressing as a pro, he finished strong last year despite the loss of Lupul. Think he's got more to offer than what he has shown even with last year's fine season.
I would be Okay with Bozie as a second line center, but we need someone with size and skill as the #1C. Since Grabo got an extension, and he does't work with kessel, Bozak seems like the odd man out. Personally don't have anything against him, but he is in a tough spot.
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Woodlief
using his big frame to create space and his skating ability to find open lanes to drive the net. He stands 6-3 and is a natural goal scorer with plenty of confidence.
He's a scout's dream in the way he prepares himself and plays an unselfish game, making smart decisions with the puck. With his bloodlines, he certainly understands what it will take to make it at the next level.
I would be Okay with Bozie as a second line center, but we need someone with size and skill as the #1C. Since Grabo got an extension, and he does't work with kessel, Bozak seems like the odd man out. Personally don't have anything against him, but he is in a tough spot.
As Burke likes to say, he's a Burkie pick...or signing. Bozie was one of the most sought after FA's the year he signed. The odds are against college signings, but he seems to have proven he is a full time NHL'er. I know Burke would trade anyone if it improved his team, but I have a feeling he would be more reluctant to trade Bozie based on last year and the promise he showed especially when Lupul went down.
No he's not a 1st. line center, and I don't see his upside as 1st. line center.
Was Brind'Amour really a 1st. line center? That was C.Wilson's projection. Maybe a 1C on a weak team, but an ideal 2nd. line center.
He's progressing nicely, and is exactly the type of player to get. He's ready to take a step up from a regular NHL player to a more important NHL player.
