Confirming Leafs acquire Brandon Kozun from the Kings for Andrew Crescenzi.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 22, 2014
via mapleleafshotstove.com
The 5’8, 180-pound Kozun has been a regular AHL points contributor but has yet to play an NHL game. He has amassed 179 points in 264 AHL games. Some offensive firepower for the Marlies here, from the looks of things, as Kozun is from all reports a skilled little winger but perhaps lacking the size and strength required to crack an NHL roster anywhere but the top 6. It can be hard for players in Kozun’s position to get his foot in the door on an NHL roster for that reason.
You may remember Kozun from the silver-medal winning 2010 World Junior Canadian team, when he posted 7 points in 6 games. He was eligible to play for either Team USA or Team Canada.
Six-foot-five center Andrew Crescenzi, an undrafted free agent signing of the Maple Leafs in September of 2010, is headed back the other way as Marlies GM Dave Poulin has opted to move the checking centre for some scoring upside. Crescenzi had just two points in 32 games. Crescenzi is two years younger than Kozun and about 9 inches larger. Perhaps the logic was that lower-ceiling players with size and grit are not lacking on this Marlies team, whereas scoring skill is.
Here were Daniel Kovalevsky’s thoughts on Crescenzi from earlier this week:
Crescenzi doesn’t get mentioned often but he deserves more recognition. He’ll never be one to put up a lot of points but he plays his role as a checking centre effectively. He can skate well for such a big man, and his hits are nasty. He threw three massive hits over the two games, put in some key face-off work on the PK, and is the key forward on the 2nd PK unit. He blocks shots, forechecks, and does everything one would expect of a defensive centre. Somewhere down the line he could be a bigger, more physical version of McClement.
The Forecaster’s scouting report on Kozun:
Teams can only have 50 players under contract. #Leafs near limit. Kozun expiring gives them breathing room.
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) January 23, 2014
Leaf exec Dave Poulin says new Leaf/Marlie Brandon Kozun has a great "motor". L.A.-born winger acquired from Kings for Andrew Crescenzi.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) January 23, 2014
Just spoke with #Leafs dir. Amateur scouting on Brandon Kozun: "smaller kid who can really skate. He brings energy and skill and off. depth"
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) January 23, 2014
Also, the #Leafs reason for trading Andrew Crescensi was because organization already has many big, bottom-6 forwards (Broll, Devane, Biggs)
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) January 23, 2014
#Leafs see Kozun as another D'Amigo. A speedy forward who can play a top-9 role.
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) January 23, 2014
Like to thank the @LAKings for the time I spent with them. It was truly in honor to be part of the organization I grew up watching
— brandon kozun (@kozy15) January 23, 2014
Would also like I express how excited I am to join the @MapleLeafs can't express how thankful I am for the opportunity and can't wait to go.
— brandon kozun (@kozy15) January 23, 2014