Connor McDavid compared himself to a former Leaf who went undrafted; setting the bar low, eh Connor?
The internet never forgets. Every now and again, something happens to remind you of the past, like the time the consensus best active player in the world compared himself to former Leafs forward Tyler Bozak, an undrafted forward who earned a deal with the Leafs straight from the collegiate level. Bozak's game-winner in overtime on Wednesday in Colorado, forcing a Game 6 between the Avs and Blues back in St. Louis this weekend.
Connor McDavid is known for his soft-spoken and quiet demeanor, but more importantly for his blazing speed, elite vision, and unrivaled stickhandling. Does that sound like Tyler Bozak to you? No, me either - but shortly before he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers 1st overall in 2015, McDavid revealed that he modelled his game after the former Leaf.
By the time McDavid was drafted, Tyler Bozak had already played 6 NHL seasons, ascending up the Leafs' lineup relatively quickly. Alongside James Van Reimsdyk and Phil Kessel, Bozak had established himself as a bona-fide top-6 NHLer, despite the unlikelihood that he'd ever make the NHL in the first place after going undrafted. The things McDavid admired about Bozak?
-McDavid on Tyler Bozak, 7 years ago
That's right.. while many of his fellow 2015 draftees were modelling their games after the likes of Shea Weber, Jonathan Toews or Steven Stamkos, McDavid was eyeing up the top line center for his favourite NHL team. It's early yet, but I think McDavid is well on his way to becoming as good as Tyler Bozak (note the sarcasm).
Bozak's single season career high in goals is 23. His single season career high in assists is 37 assists. His single season career high for points is 55. For some perspective, in 487 career NHL games, McDavid has 3 less assists (458) as Bozak has total points in 814 career NHL games (461). McDavid also has nearly twice the playoff points that Bozak has in less than half of the games played.
McDavid is certainly humble for how incredible he is, but maybe modelling your game after Bozak was setting the bar a bit low, Connor..
