Tyler Bozak: Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie Is as Good as a Top Three Draft Pick

When Brian Burke was named general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, hope was in the air through Young Dundas Square to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Brian Burke added many pieces to the puzzle, such as Mike Komisarek, Francois Beachumein, Jonas Gustavsson, Phil Kessel, Colton Orr, and on one hot, dry, summer day, came along a kid that goes by the name of Tyler Bozak.

Over 20 teams were interested in acquiring Bozak including all of the six Canadian teams.

"We are absolutely thrilled that Tyler has chosen to sign with the Maple Leafs." Those were the words of Brian Burke when he announced Bozak had decided to chose Toronto as his future destination. You weren't the only one Brian.

The Saskatchewan native started his profesional career in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies, the affilate team for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was called up for one game in October and registered a point. However in the second half of the season, he drastically made an impact on the team and the signing back in summer time started to really pay off, and much sooner then anyone thought it would.

Tyler Bozak registered 27 points in 37 games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I think we can all say that is a pleasant surprise!

27 points in a season may seem like a very mediocre or below average type of season, however, when you didn't even play half the season, that is considered pretty darn good.

Bozak averaged 0.72 points per game, which is first among rookies that have played at-least 30 plus games. If you do the math, if Tyler Bozak kept up that pace for a full 82 games, he would have finished the season with 59 points, which is the most among any NHL Rookies.

Matt Duchene was selected third overall and registered 55 points in a full season, John Tavares was selected first overall and registered 54 points in a full season, Evander Kane was selected fourth overall and achieved no more then 30 points this season. Kane played 66 games and put up 26 points. Bozak played 37 games and put up 27 points.

Need I say more?

I'm not predicting the future and saying that Evander Kane, John Tavares, Matt Duchene won't be as good as Bozak or anything because after all, Duchene, Tavares, and Kane are all under the age of 20 while Bozak is 24. But maybe that says that these rookies being selected in the first few picks should take a year or two in the juniors before they actually get rushed into the NHL.

Nevertheless, if I were to pick the top five draft picks of 2009 today, I'd probably select Matt Duchene first, John Tavares second, and Tyler Bozak third.

If all goes well, Bozak can very well be in competition or even ahead of the level that most rookies THIS season, will be playing at NEXT season.