If you want to start a heated conversation with any red-blooded Toronto Maple Leafs fan, mention either Tyler Bozak or captain Dion Phaneuf.
While more vitriol and expletives are likely to be spewed about Phaneuf, Bozak's value to the club is debated continuously by the rabid Toronto fanbase.
In some ways, the discussion around Bozak as a No. 1 centre is moot. Until he is supplanted, he's got the job and the Regina, Saskatchewan, native should make no apologies for occupying what is a highly coveted NHL role.
From Syl Apps to Dave Keon to Darryl Sittler to Mats Sundin, the Leafs boast a wonderful history of All-Star centres over the past 80 NHL seasons.
With just four full seasons of NHL play under his belt that have seen him earn 183 points in 296 games, Bozak is nowhere near any of these aforementioned stars. It doesn't seem as though he's on a trajectory to become a perennial All-Star capable of generating Hall of Fame-worthy numbers in his career.
Bozak ranked an underwhelming 42nd in NHL scoring among centres in 2013-14. However, he did earn his 49 points in just 58 games. In the l ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by James Onusko
Is the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Tyler Bozak a No. 1 Centre?
May 5th, 2014 by James Onusko Leave a reply »
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