Sandro

Toronto, ON • Canada • 40 Years Old • Male

BOZAK: Comparables and true value

Tyler Bozak: 3 years left on contract. $4.2 Million Dollar Cap Hit Per Season. For a player that has recorded 98 points, In his last 140 games (over the last two seasons) averaging 57 points per season--those numbers aren't all that bad. Numbers that are comparable to the following players: Ryan Callahan (54pts - $5.8M Cap Hit), Patrice Bergeron (55pts - $6.875M Cap Hit), David Backes (58pts - $4.5M Cap Hit), T.J. Oshie (55pts - $4.2M Cap Hit), Jason Pominville (54pts - $5.6M Cap Hit), Mikko Koivu (48pts - $6.75M Cap Hit), Brian Little (52pts - $4.7M Cap Hit) to name some comparable players that generate similar productivity along with their Salary Cap Hits, Bozak I would say is priced "just about right". Now, people would argue that playing with Phil Kessel really helped Tyler hit those statistical numbers....and the fact of the matter is, Bozak is not a first line centre. Here's the thing, Tyler isn't being paid like a 1st line centre to begin with. I would say his salary is that of a 2nd line Centre....and maybe on the slightly higher end of a third line centre. Tyler Can win draws, plays sound in the defensive end, and with some capable wingers, can put up about 55 points in a full season. Once again, not bad when compared to the production of the above noted players, and also taking into account their Cap Hits. The Leafs are flipping the page when it comes to their core players. Tyler wasn't a bad player, and didn't have a bad attitude, or a poor work-ethic. He was just part of a core of players that didn't work. With that said, Shanahan and Co want to move forward with their rebuild plans, and Tyler doesn't look to be a part of it. So the question now becomes, what is fair value for Centre Tyler Bozak? When comparing him to other players, and trying to understand his value in the market, I think Tyler, truthfully should warrant back a late 2nd round pick, OR a prospect (either or....not both). If they cannot get a second round pick from anyone, but a 3rd round pick instead, then I could see them asking for a mid-tier prospect in the deal. Tyler in an ideal Scenario would be a teams 3rd line centre...and a guy that can move into the #2 Centre slot if need be. Lets face it, two-way centres that can put up 50+ points aren't that easy to come by anymore, and with a cap hit of $4.2 Million....it isn't all that bad.