Sounds like Brian Burke got his man and is going to go after Boston University senior defensman Matt Gilroy as well as soon as the NCAA playoffs are over. It looks like the Maple Leafs are on the road to recovery and making the right steps to right the ship after a futile existence the last three seasons no Stanley Cup playoff; actually that will be four seasons after this current season is officially over. So look for the Maple Leafs to make some improvement.
So if your a Leaf aka a Make Me Laugh Fan things are starting to look up your general manager just got DU's Tyler Bozak and Notre Dame's Christian Hanson to sign professional contracts. Tyler Bozak was one of the most sought after undrafted free agents because he is a complete forward that plays both ends of the ice and will make an impact in the NHL.
Another Piece of the Puzzle
The Maple Leafs, having more success off the ice in recent days than they enjoyed all season, have outfought several other clubs for the right to sign talented Denver University forward Tyler Bozak.
Bozak, 23, has told the Leafs they are his preferred destination for his first NHL contract, with a contract expected to be signed sometime today. The Leafs are believed to have outmaneuvered Ottawa, Colorado and Anaheim, among other clubs, to sign the U.S. collegiate star. Tyler Bozak had 18 goals in 41 games with Denver in 2007-08.
After signing Christian Hanson of Notre Dame, who will make his NHL debut tonight in Philly, earlier this week, snaring Bozak gives the Leafs two of the top U.S. collegiate free agents available, with Boston University defenceman Matt Gilroy still on Brian Burke's radar.
Quite clearly, these free agents are looking at the Leafs and seeing opportunity for immediate NHL work based on the club's lack of depth at every position. This week, in a way, has turned into the draft before the draft for the Leafs, who desperately need to add prospects to their bare talent cupboard.
Bozak, a native of Regina who played his junior hockey in B.C. before heading to Denver, is thought to have more of an offensive upside than Hanson, but is smaller and missed most of the past season with a knee injury. Both are skill players, and Burke undoubtedly made it clear to both that he intends to add muscle around them to make their introduction to NHL competition easier.
Getting both players, meanwhile, is in part a credit to the stability the Leafs are enjoying these days.
So the list is updated over on the UND hockey blog.
Early departures in the WCHA (7)
Alaska-Anchorage (1)
Paul Crowder, jr, forward, N.Y. Rangers
Colorado College (2)
Brian Connelly, jr, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
Richard Bachman, so, goaltender, Dallas Stars
Denver (1)
Tyler Bozak, so, forward, Toronto Maple Leafs
Minnesota (1)
Ryan Stoa, jr, forward, Colorado Avalanche
MSU-Mankato (1)
Trevor Bruess, jr, forward, Washington Capitals
Wisconsin (1)
Jamie McBain, jr, defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes
This is EXACTLY why the WCHA is the best conference in college hockey: the best recruits go play hockey there and the best of those best leave for the pros early. Seeing that Denver almost won the McNaughton Cup wihtout Bozak in the lineup for most of this past season, I would have to list them "prohibitive favorite" to take it next season. Hey Goon, how about the Flyers last night? They erupted for 5 goals in the first period and Jeff Carter had his first NHL hat trick!
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