Bogosian saw Bolts blueprint in action
Defenceman says time in Tampa showed value of sticking to system
It was evident when new Maple Leafs Zach Bogosian and Joey Anderson spoke with the local media on Sunday that both were brought in with a specific goal in mind.
The Leafs’ downfall this past season can be traced to a lack of physical presence in their own zone and inconsistent play in games they should have won.
Sheldon Keefe’s coaching staff emphasized the need for consistent effort during their summer training camp, after the NHL’s four-month pandemic pause, but the issue was never fully resolved and in the end they fell well short of expectations — eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
The offensively gifted Leafs went just 3-16-1 in one-goal games in which they trailed after the first period (0-10-0 on the road). They outscored opponents 86-68 in the second period, but were outscored 8379 in the third despite a slight edge in shots (722-703).
Enter Bogosian, a big defenceman with a reputation for physical play, and Anderson, a 22year-old winger with similarities to current Leaf Zach Hyman, known for his checking and puck retrieval.
Add that to Friday’s free-agent deals to bring in winger Wayne Simmonds and defenceman T.J. Brodie and the Leafs have certainly gained toughness and grit, plus experience that could help address the lack of consistency.
Late Sunday, the Leafs also added forward depth by signing free-agent Jimmy Vesey to a one-year deal worth $700,000 (U.S.).
The 30-year-old Bogosian — six-foot-two, 200 pounds — is coming off a Stanley Cup win with Tampa Bay after stops with teams that were seeking to establish a winning identity: the former Atlanta Thrashers (who drafted him third overall in 2008), Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres.
His career nosedived in Buffalo this past season, leading to his release before landing with the Lightning. He says he learned some valuable lessons in their run to the Cup.
“Tampa has been good for a while. I kind of slid into the lineup and tried to do what I could to help,” said Bogosian, who signed a one-year deal with the Leafs worth $1 million (U.S.).
“What I learned about that group is, their top players are the driving forces. They keep things simple for the most part and let their creativity take over. That’s when they make those high-end plays. For the most part, sticking to the system ... they were never too high or too low.”
That sounds a lot like what the Leafs have been aiming for, but unable to accomplish.
Anderson — acquired for Andreas Johnsson in a trade with the New Jersey Devils — is at a different stage of his career, still trying to establish his identity.
He admits he’s not a scorer, focusing instead on defensive details while playing with a chip on his shoulder. The forward says that edge comes from a competitive family: mom Dana was the top racquetball player in Minnesota; father Jerry, grandfather Tom and brother Mikey (now playing defence for the Los Angeles Kings) all played college and/or pro hockey.
When asked who he patterns his game after, Anderson mentions Hyman, the hard-working Leaf with back-to-back 21-goal seasons. “I definitely strive for that. I’m not there yet, but that’s the player I’d like to follow in the footsteps of.”
While there might be more moves to come, Bogosian says the Leafs have all the talent they need to win.
“There are so many high-end players — look at all the big names there ... playing against them the last few years in Buffalo and knowing how good they are, I thought I could come in and bring what I bring to the table, just try to help team to win,” Bogosian said.
“They’ve been so close the last few years, so I just want to try and set us up in the best possible position.”