The Toronto Maple Leafs had one primary objective heading into the 2020 offseason – improve defensively.
Free agency officially opened on October 9th due to COVID-19. The Buds pounced immediately by locking up T.J. Brodie to a 4-year, $20 million contract.
A day later, Toronto continued to bolster their blueline without breaking the bank. Zach Bogosian, fresh off of a Stanley Cup championship, signed a 1-year contract valued at just $1 million.
-
Ep 57: Conference Finals, Dubas Out, Coyotes Wandering
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 11:38 am
Jim and Chris discuss the Conference Finals, the departure of Kyle Dubas […]
Expectations for Bogo weren’t exactly astronomically high like they were for Brodie, but it was an exciting signing, nonetheless.
Many figured that Zach would be the perfect bottom-pairing defenceman – a veteran capable of checking in-and-out of the lineup as needed, depending on the matchup.
Fortunately, he’s ended up being quite the bargain. There were questions about his foot speed heading into the season but his ability to remain in position while defending has helped silence some of those critics.
As for checking in-and-out of the lineup? Well, that’s simply not happening (aside from the one game where he was a healthy scratch for load management reasons). After all, why take him out and mess with a good thing? He’s the perfect compliment to Travis Dermott, given their contrasting play styles.
He’s even taught Dermott a thing or two about dropping the mitts. His veteran leadership has positively influenced the entire clubhouse in quite a few ways.
TML Fight Class, with Professor Zach. 👨🏫
Zach Bogosian giving fighting tips to Travis Dermott at @MapleLeafs practice today. 🥊 pic.twitter.com/FCUPIe0NUv
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 2, 2021
Things certainly appear to be going swimmingly for Bogo these days; however, that wasn’t the case for most of his career.
As a 3rd-overall selection of the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2008, the pressure to perform at a high-level has followed him around since the beginning.
Bogosian did manage to get off to a great start as he racked up nine goals, 19 points, and a plus-11 rating in just 47 games during his rookie campaign.
The next two seasons, however, weren’t nearly as impressive as he only recorded 15 goals and 40 points over his final 152 games as a Thrasher. Not to mention he had a cumulative minus-45 rating.
From there, Zach spent the next four seasons as a member of the Winnipeg Jets (although he didn’t technically go anywhere as the Thrashers, of course, were sold and relocated to Winnipeg en route to becoming the Jets).
His play wasn’t stellar during that timeframe, but the biggest problem was his ability to stay healthy. He only played 194 games out of a possible 328 and was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres as a part of the Evander Kane trade during the 2014-15 season.
In five-and-a-half seasons as a Sabre, Bogo’s injuries woes continued. He never played more than 65 games in a single season for Buffalo, and only played over 60 games twice.
The real turning point of his career came after he was placed on waivers/bought out by the Sabres on February 14th, 2020. Three days later, he was signed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Lightning sign disgruntled Sabres D Bogosian https://t.co/RlFo3pVrck pic.twitter.com/AHOla9XNLg
— Ron Bohning (@RonBohning) February 24, 2020
He only got into eight regular season games with his new club, but more importantly, he played 20 games in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was actually Bogo’s first time ever being on an NHL playoff team, and what a debut it was.
Now, at age 30, he’s having one of the healthiest, most productive seasons of his career. He may only have two assists through 26 games, but he’s giving the puck away a lot less compared to his career averages. Not to mention his CF% is 50.6 (just over two points higher than his career rating of 48.3%).
The Massena, NY native may not be making the big bucks anymore, but he’s thriving in his current role. Oh, and he’s also managed to avoid injury (knock on wood).
It’s been years since Toronto has truly had a competent bottom pairing, but they seemingly do now.
Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, Children of all ages, the @MapleLeafs proudly bring to you, Travis Dermott & Zach Bogosian. The Tag Team Champions of the WORLD!!!
If you’re not down with that. We got two words for ya…. https://t.co/T5cGl9ynLA pic.twitter.com/xqJcEjAZ0h
— 🇨🇦Jeremy Ridgewell 18-7-2 #LeafsForever (@Jermz13) March 3, 2021
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
-
Ep 57: Conference Finals, Dubas Out, Coyotes Wandering
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 11:38 am
Jim and Chris discuss the Conference Finals, the departure of Kyle Dubas […]
-
Ep 56: Leafs, Oilers, Eastern Conference Preview
by Full Press Coverage on May 16, 2023 at 12:21 am
Jim and Producer Ian discuss the Leafs and Oilers early exits and they […]
-
Eastern Conference and Western Final Previews and More NHL Talk
by Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Full Press NHL Podcast with Jim Biringer and Vox Media AM/FM NHL Analyst […]
-
Taking a Trip Around the NHL as Changes Fill The Air
by Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Russ Cohen of Sportsology and Buffalo […]
-
Ep 83: Stanley Cup Playoffs Are Here; Can Bruins Keep Up Pace?
by Full Press Coverage on April 17, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Ian and Chris are back to give their thoughts on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, […]
-
Ep 82: Bruins Set Wins Record, Pasta Hits 60, Playoffs Around The Corner
by Full Press Coverage on April 10, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Bruins 63rd win of the season, David Pastrnak's […]
-
The Hockey World Revolves Around Toronto
by Jim Biringer on May 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey as he is […]
-
S4Ep28 - Stanley Cup Playoffs - Conference Final Preview
by Jim Biringer on May 16, 2023 at 7:28 pm
Jim is back for the fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey previewing […]
-
Stars at Golden Knights
by Broken Controller Media on May 27, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Golden Knights at Stars
by Broken Controller Media on May 25, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Hurricanes at Panthers
by Broken Controller Media on May 24, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Golden Knights at Stars
by Broken Controller Media on May 23, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Episode #141: Tend The Goal
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 2:24 pm
The 2023 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs have reached its final four teams, and […]
-
Episode #140: Stone Cold's 4th Line
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 1:41 pm
And then, there were four. The 2023 AHL Division Finals have concluded, […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 766
by Charlie Saunier on May 28, 2023 at 7:01 am
Ep 766 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 2 Preview Game 3 Milwaukee […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 765
by Charlie Saunier on May 26, 2023 at 11:23 pm
Ep 765 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 1 Preview Game 2 Milwaukee […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The Carolina Hurricanes are eliminated in four games in the Eastern […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Taking a look at Vince Dunn’s season Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 1:15 pm
What team blueprint should the Blackhawks follow and what is will the […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 764
by Charlie Saunier on May 24, 2023 at 5:19 am
Ep 764 The Renegades Of Puck Preview AHL WCF Milwaukee Admirals Vs […]
-
5/26 - Celtics Force Game 6; Mahomes QB List
by Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big Game 5 win the Top 5 quarterbacks of […]
-
5/25 - Panthers Advance To Stanley Cup Finals; Celtics/Heat
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and the Heat and welcome in Jim Bringer […]
-
5/24 - Lakers Eliminated, Celtics Force Game 5
by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss the Lakers loss to the Nuggets in the Western […]
-
5/22 - Celtics, Lakers Face 0-3 Deficit
by Full Press Coverage on May 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics and Lakers being down 0-3 in their […]