We may have not heard the last of Leo Komarov.
The 26 year old winger took to Twitter on Monday and confirmed the rumors that he would be returning to Moscow Dynamo, who he had spent four seasons with before signing a one year deal with the Leafs in May, 2012.
“Thank you Leafs organization, fans and all my comrades in Toronto for the opportunity you gave me. I have my own reason to go to (the)KHL and I hope everybody will understand it. I really loved Toronto and i wish them all the best and i hope i will be back.”
Reports from Dynamo officials earlier in the week indicated that Komarov would return for the same contract he had before he left the Leafs, but Yahoo’s Dmitri Chesnokov reported that his agreement “would not preclude him from evaluating NHL options.”
On Wednesday, the Estonian born winger was quoted by Russian outlet SovSport that his return to the KHL is not a fait accompli:
The speculation has been that salary, playing time, returning to Moscow and being available to play for Finland in the 2014 Olympics were factors in Komarov returning to Dynamo, as the NHL has still not determined whether they will send their players to Sochi next February, but if the sticking point is a contractual out to return to the NHL, then that keeps the possibility of a return to Toronto open.
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There will be a number of players in the Leafs organization that could be headed Edmonton way this summer with their hiring of former Marlies coach Dallas Eakins. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, former NHL blueliner Paul Ranger is of keen interest to the Oilers.
The 28 year old Oshawa native returned to professional hockey after a three year absence, signing a one year AHL contract with the Marlies and played very well as a top four defenseman and on special teams, with eight goals and 17 assists in 56 games, but he decided to remain with the Leafs AHL affiliate instead of trying to make the NHL after the lockout ended.
With the Oilers sorely lacking in veteran depth on the blueline, the best opportunity for Ranger to return to the NHL may be in Edmonton with his former coach.
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In what can only be described as a head scratching decision, the Leafs have decided to part ways with color commentator Jim Ralph, who had been part of the club’s radio broadcast for the last 16 years.
Jim has always been great to listen to, not only for his knowledge of the game but also for his humor. It was always a pleasure to listen to him and play-by-play guys Joe Bowen, Dennis Beyak and Dan Dunleavy discuss the game and tell stories about his experiences as a minor league goaltender.
He will be a tough act to follow.
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