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Leafs’ Bozak tore triceps in Game 5 of Boston series

TylerBozak

Many were wondering what prevented Tyler Bozak from playing in the final two games of the Leafs-Bruins series.

Well, now they know.

Bozak told reporters he tore his triceps on a faceoff at the end of Game 5, an injury that wiped him out for the remainder of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal.

Recovery time for such a tear is four weeks -- which means he should be healthy in time for free agency.

The 27-year-old center is going to be a curious case this summer. Bozak had a strong season for the Leafs -- 12 goals, 16 assists -- and did it coming off a stellar 2011-12 campaign, when he posted highs in goals (18) and points (47).

Bozak also averaged over 20 minutes per game this season, the most in his four-year NHL career.

The former University of Denver standout is in the final season of a two-year, $3 million deal and should get a significant pay bump as an unrestricted free agent.

He figures to be one of the top centers available this summer -- Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy and Andy McDonald are some others -- but the key with Bozak is his age.

He turned 27 in March, whereas most of the other UFA centers are already on the wrong side of 30.

UPDATE: According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Bozak suffered a 70 percent tear of his right triceps. Bozak also said taking warmup for Game 6 was “pure [Randy] Carlyle mind games” as he had no chance of playing.