Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality

Welcome to the Neno's Place!

Neno's Place Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality


Neno

I can be reached by phone or text 8am-7pm cst 972-768-9772 or, once joining the board I can be reached by a (PM) Private Message.

Join the forum, it's quick and easy

Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality

Welcome to the Neno's Place!

Neno's Place Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality


Neno

I can be reached by phone or text 8am-7pm cst 972-768-9772 or, once joining the board I can be reached by a (PM) Private Message.

Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Established in 2006 as a Community of Reality

Many Topics Including The Oldest Dinar Community. Copyright © 2006-2020


    Rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs still have potential to ‘surprise’ the NHL in 2016-17, says longest-s

    jedi17
    jedi17
    jedi17
    Moderator
    Moderator


    Posts : 10738
    Join date : 2013-02-20
    • Post n°1

    Rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs still have potential to ‘surprise’ the NHL in 2016-17, says longest-s Empty Rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs still have potential to ‘surprise’ the NHL in 2016-17, says longest-s

    Post by jedi17 Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:18 pm

    Rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs still have potential to ‘surprise’ the NHL in 2016-17, says longest-s Np-128x28

    Rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs still have potential to ‘surprise’ the NHL in 2016-17, says longest-serving player



    Miked Up: What can fans expect from the Toronto Maple Leafs? 2:24

    TORONTO — Tyler Bozak doesn’t quite buy into the idea the Maple Leafs will make only small steps in the NHL standings in 2016-17.


    “I think we have the ability to surprise a lot of people this year,” Bozak said after the Leafs won their home opener on Saturday night, beating the Boston Bruins 4-1 at the Air Canada Centre.
    “I don’t think a lot of people count on us doing too well as we’re growing,” he said. “We have a lot to learn, but I think we will be able to win a lot of hockey games.”
    Rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs still have potential to ‘surprise’ the NHL in 2016-17, says longest-s Hkn_bruins_maple_leafs_20161015
    Chris Young / The Canadian Press
    Toronto's Mitch Marner (right) celebrates with William Nylander after the Maple Leafs' 4-1 win over Boston on Oct. 15.
    The optimism is relatively new territory for the 30-year-old Bozak, who is the longest-serving current Leaf. Sure, at the outset of every season just about every player in the NHL will claim that good things are ahead for his team.
    But this is the first time in a long time those feelings in the Leafs dressing room have merit and aren’t just hollow platitudes put forth by a group of players who know different when they look in the mirror. The sense in the city of Toronto is the same down at the ACC: With a pool of youngsters few teams can boast and Mike Babcock behind the bench, the corner is capable of being turned efficiently.
    There’s no doubt Bozak is refreshed as he enters his eighth season with the Leafs, after he was signed out of the University of Denver in 2009. He will tell you his outlook on life in general changed drastically nearly a year ago, as it does for any new parent, when his son Kanon was born.
    “These guys can’t believe I have a kid,” Bozak said with a smile, speaking of the youth in the room.
    “They will figure it out someday, but you really can’t explain it to them.”
    The kid that Bozak and James van Riemsdyk are playing with on a line, well, Bozak has a lot less to handle than he does at home. Mitch Marner, though it’s a tiny sample size, has taken a couple of strong first strides in the NHL in two games, capping a solid start in Ottawa last Wednesday with his first goal on Saturday.
    Bozak had two assists against the Bruins, including a pass to Marner in the neutral zone that seconds later was turned into a score by the 19-year-old, a goal that stood up as the winner.
    Rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs still have potential to ‘surprise’ the NHL in 2016-17, says longest-s Ts20161015vh109461_230831550
    Veronica Henri / Postmedia Network
    Maple Leafs centre Mitch Marner celebrates after scoring his first career goal against Boston on Oct. 15.
    “He knows how to get open and you just have to put it in an area for him, he has so much speed and skill,” Bozak said.
    “Get it to him with speed and he can make plays off the rush, on his own… We still have a lot to work on, we are still a little bit off, but I think once me, James and him, once we get the chemistry fully there, we are going to do really good things. It’s going to be fun.”
    Bozak wants not only to play a role in the turnaround in the organization; he wants to be an integral part of it. Whether that happens could be debatable — again, it’s a small sample size, but through two games, Bozak is seventh among Leafs forwards in even-strength ice time. And if you accept the idea that general manager Lou Lamoriello is not done overhauling the team, it could be that Bozak finds himself wearing another team’s sweater prior to hitting the open market in 2018.
    Bozak has two seasons remaining on his contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
    For the time that he is a Leaf, Bozak, an alternate captain, knows he has leadership to spread around. That’s foremost in his thinking process.
    “I always want to be a leader and it was the same last year, especially near the end of the season,” Bozak said. “They make me feel old sometimes, but it’s fun, the energy they bring, and always have a smile on their face at the rink. There is no bad days with the young guys, so they are fun to be around.

    “Hopefully things go well this year and and we stick together as a group and none of that (trade) stuff happens.”
    • Back to top
      Current date/time is Thu Oct 03, 2024 8:01 am