Bozak takes a shot at former head coach Babcock

It has been an emotional summer for forward Tyler Bozak, who signed with the St. Louis Blues this weekend after spending the first nine years of his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The longtime Maple Leaf signed a three-year, $15 million-deal with the St. Louis Blues on the opening of the free agency market, officially ending his time with the only NHL team he’s ever played for.

Maybe it is why his comments following today's practice came out wrong. Bozak seemed to take a shot at his former head coach Mike Babcock, who seemed the only coach during his time in Toronto to prevent him from playing during the penalty kill. On Tuesday with the Blues, Bozak got a shot at the position, reports Andy Strickland, rinkside reporter Fox Sports Midwest. 

"St. Louis will give Tyler Bozak an opportunity to kill penalties something he didn’t do last season. Didn’t kill under Mike Babcock but did under Randy Carlyle with Toronto."

Bozak revealed in his Players' Tribune article that he chose the Blues for one reason – the Stanley Cup. While the Blues have yet to win a championship in their franchise's history, Bozak believes it will happen. 

“I know how good the Blues are. They’ve been so hard to play against for years. They’ve got great talent, and even though I was fortunate enough to accomplish some great things in Toronto, I never got the one thing I’ve always really wanted.

The Stanley Cup.

I want to win a Cup. So damn bad.

That’s why I signed in St. Louis. There’s your headline. Print it.”

The 32-year-old scored 11 goals and recorded 43 points in 81 games for the Leafs last season, adding four points in seven post-season games. He is now hoping to do way more, and most likely to shine in an area where Babcock did not allow him: during the penalty kill. The Maple Leafs and the Blues will face one another on Oct. 20. You bet fans will be on the lookout for Bozak on the PK if an opportunity arises. 

It will be his time to show Babcock if he could have done the job in Toronto during the last seasons... 

If not, Babcock will be able to say: "I was right, son..."