The St. Louis Blues have re-signed veteran forward Tyler Bozak as the NHL season is approaching. St. Louis enters a season looking to redeem themselves after what can only be described as a disappointing shortened season in 2020-21. The deal is for one year and carries a value of $750,000. It also includes possible bonuses for Bozak too.
$750K, plus bonuses https://t.co/4TbOs8rHrI
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 14, 2021
Blues Sign Tyler Bozak
Bozak remains a declining player entering his age-35 season. His raw production includes just five goals and 12 points in 31 games. He also added 12 minutes in penalties last season. His points are down from 13 and 29 in 67 in 2019-20, granted that was a longer season. Perhaps most alarming is the decrease in possession ability; Bozak’s Corsi For was a solid 50.5 percent in 2019-20, but that has plummeted to 41.4 percent last year along with a -7.0 relative Corsi. There is simply very little positive for the experienced skater.
The Toronto Maple Leafs originally signed Bozak as an undrafted free agent in 2009 after an amateur career with the University of Denver. The Regina, Saskatchewan native immediately became a respectable middle-six option worthy of award consideration several times. He posted at least 45 points four times with the Leafs between 2011-12 and 2016-17 before signing with the Blues prior to the 2018-19 campaign. Overall, the undrafted free agent has 167 goals and 449 points in 764 games. Not bad for someone who wasn’t drafted.
What This Means For The Future
The Blues will likely have a diminished role for Bozak this season. Playing much more as a depth guy than anything else. It’s a shame he has declined so severely, but he did help the team win a Stanley Cup. That is worth as much as anything to the franchise.
For Bozak, this is a chance to show he still has it. A big year is much-needed for both him and the Blues as they look to get back to their Stanley Cup-winning ways.
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