Blockbuster TradeBreaker VAN/OTT

[bills09]

To Vancouver
Jason Spezza

To Ottawa
Cody Hodgson
Brandon Sutter
Lukas Sutter

[MSP4LYFE]

confirmed

[Sensfanjosh]

Hate my division now haha. Good deal.

[Peter]

nice, like it a bit for Van, but having 2 young Cs is nice too.

[Robin Hood]

nice solid deal.

[Nick]

I clearly don't value Cody enough, last couple of trades involving him seem off to me.

[bills09]

yes Nick Bozak>Hodgson we know =/

[Nick]

i said i wouldn't trade B for H... and then commented that I disagree with recent evaluations of Cody. sue me.

[bills09]

i said i wouldn't trade B for H... and then commented that I disagree with recent evaluations of Cody. sue me.

im just trollin' you man, 1 troll deserves another.

[kimmer]

i thought there were only a few players billy was lookong for in exchange for spezza...sounded all serious but those were the ones?...

[bills09]

i thought there were only a few players billy was lookong for in exchange for spezza...sounded all serious but those were the ones?...

Things change Paul. That being said I like the value I received but Kareem did well himself.

[Shep]

I don't like Hodgson much.

Nice deal Kareem.

[MSP4LYFE]

Nick, you wouldn't trade Bozak for Hodgson? Really...

[Nick]

Nick, you wouldn't trade Bozak for Hodgson? Really...

Honestly. But Kareem you know I've liked Bozak for some time, and his # support that. Under Randy he averaged a notable increase in TOI (from 18ish to 21ish) and even lead all forwards in multiple games (averaged #2 for the season) - 8 or 9 points in final 10 games?

I also think TyBo's skating and physicality make him easier to play in a wider range of situations. But will admit Cody should score more then Tyler in the non-to-distant future.

The JvR argument is a weak one, and I'm about to sound like a broken record -> the player is the player, they earn their toi it's rarely given. I have my concerns regarding a guy who couldn't hold a consistent top 6 spot transitioning into a #1 C, and in doing so supplanting a reliable two-way centre. Perhaps Bozak does fall into a lower line, but his minutes shouldn't drop below 18 a night -> more then Cody is likely to see, IMO. Doesn't hurt that he's clearly a good guy in the dressing room, has good relationship with some very very capable players on the team

But hey, I won't be butt-hurt if JvR does become #1 and the lines look something like:
Lupul-Reammer-Kessel
Kadri-Grabo-Frattin
Kulemin-Bozak-Connolly
Brown-Steckle-McClement
Unsure on where Lombardi/Colborne/Ashton actually fit. Dislike Connolly anywhere in there the way he played last year, but he's better then he showed, i hope.

[The BBKL Insider]

i'd trade Bozak for Hodgson 7 days a week, and if we came up with an 8th day, i'd do it on that day too.

[Nick]

i'd trade Bozak for Hodgson 7 days a week, and if we came up with an 8th day, i'd do it on that day too.

And with what he's gone for around the league I see many agree with you.

[MSP4LYFE]

Nick, you wouldn't trade Bozak for Hodgson? Really...

Honestly. But Kareem you know I've liked Bozak for some time, and his # support that. Under Randy he averaged a notable increase in TOI (from 18ish to 21ish) and even lead all forwards in multiple games (averaged #2 for the season) - 8 or 9 points in final 10 games?

I also think TyBo's skating and physicality make him easier to play in a wider range of situations. But will admit Cody should score more then Tyler in the non-to-distant future.

Tyler Bozak's numbers suggest he is miscast in a top 6 role. 50 points with #1 line ES and PP TOI alongside ppg+ players in Kessel and Lupul is mediocre to say the very least. Further consider that Bozak has looked lost offensively away from Phil Kessel and it becomes difficult to argue that he is a better player than Cody Hodgson, who's play away from the puck has also been considered a hall mark of his game (prior to the NHL).

Another thing to consider is that at the same age, Tyler Bozak was still applying his craft in the NCAA. That is meaningful.

The JvR argument is a weak one, and I'm about to sound like a broken record -> the player is the player, they earn their toi it's rarely given. I have my concerns regarding a guy who couldn't hold a consistent top 6 spot transitioning into a #1 C, and in doing so supplanting a reliable two-way centre. Perhaps Bozak does fall into a lower line, but his minutes shouldn't drop below 18 a night -> more then Cody is likely to see, IMO. Doesn't hurt that he's clearly a good guy in the dressing room, has good relationship with some very very capable players on the team

But hey, I won't be butt-hurt if JvR does become #1 and the lines look something like:
Lupul-Reammer-Kessel
Kadri-Grabo-Frattin
Kulemin-Bozak-Connolly
Brown-Steckle-McClement
Unsure on where Lombardi/Colborne/Ashton actually fit. Dislike Connolly anywhere in there the way he played last year, but he's better then he showed, i hope.

The fact that JVR is unproven as a C is precisely why it is such a strong argument. It demonstrates that the Leafs don't think a great deal of Bozak in a top 6 role, or a top 9 role for that matter. Otherwise why anoint McClement the 3rd line center?

[Nick]

so they play bozak more then grabo, or anything other centre, hell any other forward aside from Phil. But when someone else is rumoured to be tried in the #1 spot, and we have a guy that is a (fucking terrible) grinder signed, TyBo becomes useless. Nice logic, time for a wager? Bozak is in top 9 toi or is not?

I also believe you need to look at 50 point players before calling Bozak miscast in a top 6. But once again, stats and rational analysis have never been your thing. FWIW 38th ranked Centre for points. Right there with Grabo, Stepan, Kesler, Hudler, Lecavalier, Gagner, Little, Richards, Roy, *Hodgson*, Laich & Ott - and only Vinny played less games. So no he's not a legit #1 C, however lots of legit #1 C only managed 60pts in 80 games last season; so yes, i'd appreciate some reasoning showing his numbers representing a miscast top 6 player.

[kimmer]

maybe i am permanently high but nick,which side u on? r u a fan of bozak or not? what u mean by "(fucking terrible)"?

[MSP4LYFE]

so they play bozak more then grabo, or anything other centre, hell any other forward aside from Phil. But when someone else is rumoured to be tried in the #1 spot, and we have a guy that is a (fucking terrible) grinder signed, TyBo becomes useless. Nice logic, time for a wager? Bozak is in top 9 toi or is not?

The only thing that Bozak's minutes demonstrate is that he played consistent top line minutes when he had no business doing so. Brian Burke, Ron Wilson and Randy Carlyle have all gone on record stating that Bozak's ideal role is not in the top 6.