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Bogosian sees himself in different boat from other RFAs
By
PAUL FRIESEN, QMI Agency
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WINNIPEG - They’re the Big Three from the Class of ’08, all looking for new NHL contracts.
Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, Zach Bogosian of the Winnipeg Jets and Luke Schenn of the Toronto Maple Leafs —— the second, third and fifth overall draft picks that year, respectively —— still haven’t signed with their clubs, with training camps just days away.
It could be one signing will set the financial precedent for the others. But Bogosian discounts that theory, at least where he’s concerned.
“I’m in a little bit of a different boat than them,” Bogosian said after an informal skate with Jets teammates, Tuesday. “Obviously Doughty has had a couple of good years. I haven’t exactly had the greatest start to my career... but I’m still young and up to learning new things and looking forward to good things here in Winnipeg.”
While Doughty has spent the last three seasons becoming a star at both ends of the ice and Schenn has become a reliable defender, Bogosian has struggled to adapt to the big-league game.
After a promising rookie campaign, he posted career lows in points (17) and plus-minus (minus-27) last season.
“It’s a tough job every night,” Bogosian said. “A lot of times I was going against the other team’s top lines. It’s good to get experience like that. I know I’m not going to blow anyone out of the water every year. But you just take it in stride and try to move forward. You can’t dwell on it.”
Bogosian made his remarks to a scrum of nearly a dozen reporters, and training camp isn’t even underway, yet — just another example of the intense spotlight on the team compared to the attention it received in Atlanta.
The 21-year-old hopes the scrutiny lifts his play to another level.
“I put pressure on myself, but anytime you play in a hockey market obviously the stakes are a little higher.”
