Another Piece of the Puzzle

The Maple Leafs, having more success off the ice in recent days than they enjoyed all season, have outfought several other clubs for the right to sign talented Denver University forward Tyler Bozak.

Bozak, 23, has told the Leafs they are his preferred destination for his first NHL contract, with a contract expected to be signed sometime today. The Leafs are believed to have outmaneuvered Ottawa, Colorado and Anaheim, among other clubs, to sign the U.S. collegiate star.

AP PHOTO

Tyler Bozak had 18 goals in 41 games with Denver in 2007-08.

After signing Christian Hanson of Notre Dame, who will make his NHL debut tonight in Philly, earlier this week, snaring Bozak gives the Leafs two of the top U.S. collegiate free agents available, with Boston University defenceman Matt Gilroy still on Brian Burke's radar.

Quite clearly, these free agents are looking at the Leafs and seeing opportunity for immediate NHL work based on the club's lack of depth at every position. This week, in a way, has turned into the draft before the draft for the Leafs, who desperately need to add prospects to their bare talent cupboard.

Bozak, a native of Regina who played his junior hockey in B.C. before heading to Denver, is thought to have more of an offensive upside than Hanson, but is smaller and missed most of the past season with a knee injury. Both are skill players, and Burke undoubtedly made it clear to both that he intends to add muscle around them to make their introduction to NHL competition easier.

Getting both players, meanwhile, is in part a credit to the stability the Leafs are enjoying these days.

With Burke clearly in charge, the Leafs are now a team that speaks with one voice. There's no players hanging out with owners undermining management, no assistant GM fighting with the chief scout like the days when Mike Smith and Anders Hedberg couldn't get along, no lame duck coach lobbying for a different approach and none of the nonsense that has plagued this franchise for, well, decades. When Pat Quinn was running the show, he was fighting with Ken Dryden. When Cliff Fletcher was having some success in the early 1990s, it was after Steve Stavro tried to have him removed before he even started on the job.

When you talk to Burke, however, you're talking to the Leafs, and you're talking to the guy who is going to be speaking for the Leafs for the next five years or more. You also know that Ron Wilson isn't going anywhere, and that if you sign with the Leafs he's going to be your coach. For comparison, check out what's going on in Edmonton right now, with the owner, Daryl Katz, making sporadic comments on the future of head coach Craig MacTavish, while president Kevin Lowe and GM Steve Tambellini try to speak with a united voice at the same time folks there wonder which man is actually running the hockey organization.

Now look at some of the other teams that were in the hunt for Bozak.

First, Ottawa. Well, if you're talking to the Sens, you can't even really say you know who is going to be coaching or managing the team next year, can you? If you're a kid like Bozak with a choice between upwards of 20 teams, and with none of them able to offer more money than any other, that would be meaningful.

Then there's Colorado. You might think the Avalanche would have the inside track on Bozak given his history of collegiate hockey stardom in the state.

But nobody knows who is going to manage or coach the Avs next season, only that it isn't likely to be Francois Giguere or Tony Granato, respectively.

The rumours won't go away that Patrick Roy may be heading to Denver to run the Avalanche, but that's a ways away from being confirmed, if it happens at all.

Signing Bozak layers another good prospect on top of Hanson. Throw in a first rounder in June and two more picks in the top 50, and you have the beginnings, at least, of some depth in an organization that for the first time in a long time is presenting a united front to the hockey world.

Comments

[bill wilson]

hi bo, so long as burke and wilson are managing the leafs there will be reasonable hope for the team; these two men are truly hockey men who know their "stuffs" very well. as you know, burke is a proven GM and wilson is a superb non-nonsense and fair coach. good luck with your decision.

[Ryan]

It would be a step in the right direction for sure. Bozak & Hanson are the kind of Core players a Franchise needs inorder to become a cup contender. Now the Leafs need more Core guys like Hanson/Bozak/Mitchell/Schenn/White/Hagman, but add a super star or two & a strong Goalie on top of that core group and you have the forumla for a Cup. I still think the Leafs need to acquire a few core players during the free agency season and lose some dead weight before they can think of the Post-Season next year. I'm interested to see what changes Burke makes this off season, and hopefully he can add some GRIT to the Leafs who have been extremely Soft since the days of Roberts, Domi & Tucker [pre-lockout Leafs].

[John-Eric Iannicello]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Hopefully with a bit more movement in the off-season the Leafs can continue to build towards a solid foundation for the future.

[Peter]

well said, Damien. i know it's cool to call Burke an overrated loudmouth, but he is quite cunning when it gets to signing little known players and finding ways to improve the team. plus, outsmarting the Sens is always a bonus! :-)

[Paul Cooper]

Your assessment of the Leafs management (past and present) is bang-on. Burke and Wilson are a one-two punch of united no-nonsense leadership like we haven't seen here in decades. We've never had a better chance for success and if these guys fail, we'll know exactly where to point the finger and these two are man enough to admit it.

[Dave]

I don't want to sound pro Burke/Wilson or anti Burke/Wilson but i think what is really different this time (rebuild) is stability in the front office as Damian stated. I think Burke and Wilson are as good as any and I fully support the direction they are heading (Although not that anyone on the ML board asked for my approval...)

[Guido]

All I can say is "Free Draft Picks"...

In an organization with so little "true" young talent, the more we can add without using our draft picks the better. Now you get 2 and maybe 3 players that have more seasoning than the normal draft picks -- it's a good day.

[GOLEAFSGO]

great news for leafsnation now lets get the net filled and two more d men

[Nathan]

Got to be honest Damien, I'm surprised you haven't tried to spin this negatively.

[J. Wilson]

I surmised that part of Burke's strategy in playing Hanson with the Leafs, so soon after his signing, was to send a message to Bozek and others. Looks like it worked!

[Ken]

Good news, leaf fans should consider the two signings as additional draft pick for the leafs.

While I still believe that the CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL) have much more depth of talent than the NCAA, players from NCAA 1st division teams, especially those who regularly appear in the NCAA Frozen Four are highly UNDER-rated.

If the Leafs can find NCAA players with the level of talent of other former-NCAA-ers like Paul Kariya, Ryan Miller or Toronto native Michael Cammalleri, who played for the University of Michigan, then great.

Denver and Notre Dame have great hockey programs.

[Shawn Therien]

This kind of news is so much more exciting than the days when we would here that the mediocre Leafs added an aging Brian Leech or Owen Nolan and were praying to make it past the first few rounds of the playoffs. It seems like the hiring of Burke and Wilson may actually be the beginning of a new era in which the Leafs can transform into a consistent contender like Detroit and other teams. Maybe Hanson and Bozak will both flop, but these sorts of moves are how you find a diamond in the rough and begin to build an organization. I hope they both turn into gems.

[pluto]

I always enjoy it when the armchair quarterbacks pop out of the woodwork. Burke and Wilson, have now become another Toe Blake/Sam Pollock. I must be the only Leaf follower on the planet who has never heard of Bozak and Hanson. I am also convinced this recession is over and I am going out to buy a new Saturn.

[GOLEAFSGO]

damien too suggest that a professional hockey team would tank a game is anti-hockey why do you insist on smearing our game? I bet the leafs come out to kick some a$$ and do so. there is a message to send and that is WE ARE BETTER not we suck more. only a loser attitude will bring these thoughts to mind. Do you think that is the case or are you just stirring the pot so you can bragg about how you stirred the pot with contempt for our GAME. Shame on you !! the recent signings by the leafs tell me we are trying to win not lose. The only losers are your fans who believe your loser attitude and I am not one!!!

[Malcolm Watts]

It's great that the Leafs finally have management that can build and run the team without interference. Despite the fact the team has missed the playoffs for the fourth time, I enjoyed watching them this season. They were gutsy and didn't give up. They were fun to watch and I look forward to a great future for this team with these new college picks and draft choices and management.

[John Monaghan]

I remember with sweet fondness watching the Leafs of the early 90's and look very much forward to enjoying a highly competitive and potential Cup winning club once again. Go Leafs Go!

[Ahsan Zaidi]

I think it matters less if Hanson / Bozak turn out to be decent players. What im taking out of this is that finally, management is being proactive and creative in trying to turn this thing around. That's the big picture here.

[Chris]

I never thought the day would come when I agree 100% with a Damian Cox article. Well said; all of it.

[Vince Ravon]

Wait and see. These guys may or may not work out but at least Burke is sending a message. With us, you will get a chance to show what you've got. Making the jump to the NHL is not always the easiest thing in the world to do. But the Leafs are trying to find players that will make thew club better and that is exactly what they should be doing.

[Joe Badali]

When Burke came here, his hands were tied as to what options he had. Now he is exercising what options are avaiible. Sighning 2 of the top 3 college free agents and still a chance at the third one is phenominal.If they succeeed or fail, its the right approach at least if you go down, you go down swinging. Bravo Burke !!

[Jason Locey]

I'm feeling quite proud of Burke and proud of my team again. Whether Bozak or Hanson turn into regulars in the line-up is almost besides the point. There is an authenticity around the Leafs again.

[Sandy T.]

Ahm... GOLEAFSGO, where in this article did you see any mention of anyone "tanking"? Where did you see a negative thought?

As for Carlson and Bozak, NCAA signings have historically been hit and miss - (for every Adam Oates, there is a Jeff Farkas) - but signing them is certainly better than watching someone else ink them, and the thought of a potential Adam Oates or Brett Hull being found in the mix is too much to pass up - especially when you're The Leafs and all it's going to cost you to find out is a little money and some ice time.

[Dave]

Burke has the credibility and the willingness to take calculated risks to improve this team unlike his predecessor (John Ferguson Jr.) who had neither. There may finally be light at the end of the tunnel.

[Laura Bonk]

Toronto is on the right road to re building..too bad we will have to wait another year to see it all pan out .The news of losing the fourth round draft pick stinks as well as the hefty fine..for frogen?! only in Leaf Country!! Talent,size and guts..who will be the next leader of the Leafs? Lets hope we get Lukes brother also in the draft but we are fortunate to have a united organization for a change!Go Leafs!!

[Mark Kennedy]

Mr. Burke, I tip my hat to you kind sir. To finally see a man of vision at the helm is like a breath of fresh air. I truly hope your plans (and our dreams) come to fruition.

Keep up the good work!