Komisarek Leafs Biggest Gamble

Most of Burke’s moves this off season have little risk. Gustavsson, Bozak and Hanson are all no risk, high upside signings. Colton Orr at a million a year is fine as a fourth line player and enforcer. Exelby, Wallin and Primeau all have only one year remaining on their contracts and as such have no ongoing liability if they prove that they are not part of the future. The Beauchemin signing involved more years, but he is in the prime of his career, recovered from his injury, and is a great addition for top four minutes on the blue line and a likely defense pairing with Luke Schenn.

The one big question is the signing of Mike Komisarek. At age 27, 6’4 and 240, he should be exactly the type of defenseman that you pair with a player like Tomas Kaberle. He is a punishing player with very good defensive skills that can keep the crease clean and provide confidence for those on the ice with him. At his age he should still be improving and should just be entering the prime of his career.

The question mark surrounding Komisarek is whether he will rebound to be the player that he was before his two fights with Milan Lucic last year. Komisarek took a battering in both those fights and also likely sustained lingering injuries. He never returned to the form he had and appeared to have lost his confidence and commanding presence on the ice for the rest of the season and playoffs.

He was definitely dumped on by some of the fans in Montreal and took the heat as part of the reason for the first round blowout by the Bruins. The Canadiens evaluated their situation after the season and did not really give up on him. Reports were that they offered him a $4 million contract to re-sign as a UFA but would not go higher. Burke jumped in and lured Komisarek to Toronto with a 5 year contract at $4.5 million per season.

The term of the contract is not a stretch for a 27 year old, but at $4.5 million a season Komisarek has to return to a dominant physical presence on the blue line to justify the dollars. The Leafs do not need him to be the policeman for the team, but with his limited ability to handle the puck his role is to intimidate the other team inside the Leafs blue line and he must be worthy of top pair minutes.

The one additional factor that makes you think the gamble is worth it is that Burke knows Komisarek from his involvement with the US hockey program. He should have the inside story and know whether last year’s decline was largely due to injury. Komisarek definitely has the character that Burke loves and the Leafs need. The fans just have to hope that the off season has allowed any physical and psychological scars to heal and that Komisarek will be back to his usual physical self. If he is, a partnership with Kaberle and his puck moving skills will be great for both players.

I think we have to trust Burke with this move, but at 5 years at $4.5 million a season it is the Leafs biggest gamble of the off season and one that could handcuff the team if it does not pan out.