Bozak has heard trade talk for six years
Tyler Bozak has seen a few trade deadlines in his time as a Toronto Maple Leaf, but he’s still here and hopes that’s the case come Feb. 27.
Some pundits used to doubt his future, saying he was incompatible as Phil Kessel’s centre. Now it’s his age (almost 32) and expiring contract making headlines approaching the fateful Feb. 26 deadline.
“This is probably my sixth year they’ve said I’m getting traded,” Bozak said. “Who knows, but I don’t think about it too much, I just go out there and play. It’s out of your control.”
Toronto’s success and Bozak’s ongoing partnership with winger James van Riemsdyk has made him a valued part of a winning team, rather than a spare part another club will pick off.
“Whenever you’re out (of the playoffs) at this time of year, you know there are going to be moves and a few of your buddies will get traded. That could still happen now. But we’re happy with what we have (in the dressing room). This year around, it’s fun to be part of. If they’re going to add pieces, they will.”
Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello “rewarded” the team by acquiring centre Brian Boyle last season before Toronto made the playoffs.
“If that’s the route we’re going to go, that would be awesome,” Bozak said.
HOME STAND
On Wednesday, the Leafs have a chance at sweeping their five-game home stand. The Leafs have yet to beat John Tortorella’s Columbus Blue Jackets this year — a 4-2 loss and 3-2 overtime defeat in a threeweek span before and after Christmas. The Blue Jackets often turn to backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo against Toronto.
GARDENS PARTY
It turns out Mike Babcock has something in common with Punch Imlach and other well-known coaches who worked at Maple Leaf Gardens.
Babcock won a title there, the 1993-94 CIAU championship, coaching the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
The four-team national tournament was played mostly at Varsity Arena, with the final at the Gardens, the revamped and renamed site to which Babcock returned Tuesday when the Leafs held an open practice at what is now Ryerson University ’s Mattamy Athletic Centre.
“I have fond memories,” Babcock said. “I didn’t coach there in the NHL, but it was great to go over there and do something different.”
Many Leafs got a kick out of playing under the roof of the last Original Six NHL building still in use.
“We didn’t get tickets often when we were kids, but it’s obviously special to come to hallowed grounds,” said Toronto-raised centre Dominic Moore. “I saw my heroes play here, guys like Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark and Curtis Joseph. It’s so nice that they preserved it this way.”
LINES LINEUP
Babcock didn’t hint at any changes with Tuesday’s practice lines.
“What’s unique about it right now is that we have four lines that can really contribute,” Babcock said. “The more you have going ... with 82 (game) nights, everyone isn’t going to be at their best. It’s just impossible ... but the more quality players you have, the more chance you can pick one another up. That’s a big part of what we have going on now.”
As he said he would do when he moved winger Leo Komarov from the third line down to the fourth, Babcock has made up some of his lost ice time with special assignments on other units.
“If we’re ahead, I do that,” Babcock said. “There is no one better getting the puck out, getting the puck off the wall and forechecking.
“I noticed today that Leo was on the fourth line (in Monday’s win over Tampa Bay), but played almost 15 minutes. It’s been able to get us much more balance.”