Toronto Maple Leafs: What to do with the UFAs this offseason?

Tyler Bozak

Tyler Bozak is an interesting free agent option for many teams in the NHL, with many years under his belt and fairly consistent performances coming from the centre.

Bozak is the longest-tenured player on the Toronto Maple Leafs and cutting ties with him will be a difficult thing to see.

The 32-year-old Bozak has 40 points (11G-29A) in 73 regular season games played this season, playing primarily as the team’s third-line centre.

Bozak has averaged 15:39 on the ice this season — the lowest of his career — but he has continued to be consistent on face-offs and in the penalty shootout.

The long-time Leafs player has scored five of the six shootouts he has taken this season, while also recording a 53.8 percent success rate in the face-off circle.

That equates to 572 wins out of the 1,064 face-offs he has lined up for this season.

Bozak is also one the Leafs’ leaders, wearing the alternate captain’s ‘A’ on his jersey for the past three seasons – ever since Mike Babcock joined the team.

Reliable centres on all four lines are crucial to a team’s success, with the experienced Bozak still performing well enough to warrant a position on the team.

Arguably the biggest question mark with Bozak will be his contract. How long will he want to sign for and for how much?

He is currently on a $4.2 million deal, which he earned during his time as the team’s top-line centre alongside Phi Kessel and JVR.

With his age and longevity shortening, the Leafs will be looking to reduce the financial hit they take from players such as Bozak.

A contract that carries in the region of a $2.5 million cap hit would be much more palatable for the Leafs’ management and, if Bozak is willing to take a pay cut, then there’s no reason performance-wise to suggest the two parties need to separate this year.