Leo Komarov is a pain in the ass.
For the other team, that is. The Leaf’s forward has built a reputation of being a physical agitator during his rookie year. The 26 year old, 5’11, 198 lb centre (although he’s arguably better on the wing) had 176 hits, 1st among rookies and 5th overall in the NHL, during the regular season.
Komarov was born in Narva, Estonia, and moved to Finland at a young age. He played for Team Finland in the World Juniors in 2006 and was their captain in 2007. He played for Finland in the world championships every year since then, including their gold medal victory in 2011. He started his professional career playing in the Finnish Elite league and then played for Dynamo Moscow in the KHL until signing with the Leafs in 2012. His one year contract was worth $1.2 million.
But although he plays a very physical game, the one thing he does that irritates his opponents is that he plays-by-the-book. He had only 18 penalty minutes during the regular season, less than Kessel, and no suspensions. In fact it’s his irritating play style that makes him such an asset. He frustrates the other team and draws penalties.
He also doesn’t fight. Despite a tussle with Chris Kelly in game 1 of the playoffs (which Kelly instigated after a Komarov hit) he has had no fights while playing for the Leafs in the regular season. To this Komarov has said “I’m a little boy, we have fighters out there if they want to fight”, which is the truth. Players like Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren are out there to protect him when he frustrates another player enough to make him want to fight, which is what McLaren tried to do before the Kelly fight, but failed. Komarov even wears a visor which, if you’ve ever seen how much it protects him, does little other than prevent him from starting fights.
Komarov is also fairly solid on offence. He had 5 assists and 4 goals during the regular season. Not great, but 3 of those 4 goals were game winners, tying him for the second-most on the Leafs. Can you say clutch player? Maybe not, but it’s not really his point total that makes him an effective forward. He forechecks, crashes the net, hits, and draws penalties. He basically just rattles the other team and disrupts their plays. Not to mention his 50.9% face off win percentage for which Carlyle has said he’s been under appreciated.
But overall I’m not saying you should love the guy, I’m just pointing out an oft-forgotten about player on the Leafs. Komarov is a blunt, no-nonsense, hard working, skate tongues out kind of guy. He doesn’t talk smack between or during games. When asked if he enjoys agitating he said “I’m not happy about it, but it’s nothing I care about, either”. My favourite quote from him though is from the Toronto Sun when he was in training camp. He said: “It’s hard to (talk) about myself, but I like to hit, forecheck. Maybe I’m not the best goal scorer, but I can score if I get the open net. I just want to help a team. Whatever I can do, I will do it.” See he even admits he’s not a good goal scorer. The best he can do is play his hardest. And that is what makes him a good physical player despite his small stature.
So if he manages to get re-signed by the Leafs next year I just ask that you keep a better eye out for #47. Better yet make some chants for him (“Leo Komarov! Da na na na na!” Is a classic). And if you don’t want to, at least you know a little more about a lesser-known player: Leo Komarov.
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