You may recall back in January when there was speculation the New York Rangers could be interested in getting Mike Santorelli out of Toronto to play third-line center for the Blueshirts.
That, of course, never happened. Santorelli was traded to Nashville on Feb. 15, along with Cody Franson.
But might the Leafs have another center for the Rangers to consider? According to NBCSN/TSN insider Bob McKenzie, the answer is yes, and the name is Tyler Bozak.
While McKenzie acknowledges, per Nichols On Hockey, that this “would not be an easy deal to do because of the financial implications (Bozak is signed through 2017-18 with a $4.2 million cap hit),” there’s little doubt the 28-year-old is available, given the Leafs’ situation.
Bozak, playing mostly with wingers Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk, has 16 goals and 21 assists this season. He may not be the top center the Leafs have so badly needed for years now, but could he be a fit in a lesser role on a better team like the Rangers?