I feel there are a couple of things that require clarification after waking up to an article written by a columnist for the Montreal Gazette regarding my opinion on Mike Komisarek's decision to leave the Montreal Canadiens for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
From my blog yesterday:
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Mike Komisarek signing with the Leafs for 2 million more than the Canadiens supposedly offered is an absolutely swift kick in the pants to the Habs and their fans. His decision suggests he was never seriously considering returning to Montreal, where they treated him as well as any organization could treat one of their players. After Komisarek's injury they put him behind the bench with the coaching staff, a move that emphasized how highly regarded he was around here. He was the first, and only one of two, to receive a contract offer from the Canadiens (over the captain, who had been in Montreal for 12 seasons), and he would've been a guy they likely would've made captain, sooner than later. It'll take a long time for Canadiens fans to get over Komisarek's decision to leave for the Toronto Maple Leafs, if they're ever able to."
Here's what the Gazette columnist wrote regarding my opinion:
"The Canadiens and their fans are going to miss Mike Komisarek but far too many fans are taking his departure personally.
I had to laugh yesterday morning when a blogger wrote: "I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Mike Komisarek signing with the Leafs for $2 million more than the Canadiens supposedly offered is an absolutely swift kick in the pants to the Habs and their fans."
Nonsense. The name of the game is professional hockey and that suggests the players are paid for their effort. The blogger might not think that an extra $2 million (with a more advantageous tax structure) is significant but that's why free agency exists today."
Komisarek Follows Cash to Hogtown
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So let's get things Mark Streit around here...
Now that I understand that hockey is a business, and players' loyalties are tied to the biggest contract offers; I think it's clear that my suggestion that "Mike Komisarek signing with the Leafs for $2 million more than the Canadiens supposedly offered is an absolutely swift kick in the pants to the Habs and their fans" had much more to do with the Canadiens prioritizing Komisarek above the 9 other ufas the team held rights to before July 1st, and his decision to walk without even considering the Habs.
Much more to do with the fact that through injury, personal loss, good times and bad, the Canadiens treated Mike Komisarek like gold. That they put him on the bench with the coaching staff when he was injured to emphasize how highly they thought of him-- the significance of such a gesture was not lost on Komisarek at the time.
Much more to do with the fact that when they identified him as their priority over captain Saku Koivu, among others, it's almost impossible to believe they weren't willing to match an offer that was 500,000$ more per season than their original offer--when they still had over 26-million dollars to spend.
Much more to do with the fact that according to Bob Gainey, Komisarek and his agent never countered the Canadiens 20-million dollars over 5 years, but just noted that they'd consider it, and keep the Canadiens in the picture while he tested the market.
Much more to do with the fact that his signing for 2 million over the Canadiens original offer suggests he was never considering coming back to Montreal, unless of course nobody could give him a decent offer on the open market-- something I doubt Komisarek nor Matt Keator were very worried about.
You don't have to be an accomplished, seasoned reporter to understand that sports is a business, and that Komisarek did what was best for him in signing a contract that was worth more money. I'm not disputing that. But to suggest Canadiens fans shouldn't feel betrayed by this decision based on Mike Komisarek's reputation as one of the friendliest guys in the NHL, and his professionalism in playing through pain and injury, and with heart and soul in his time with the Canadiens, is nonsense.
As for Komisarek's decision to play through injury, and pain, and never complain about it, there's nothing in his character that suggests he was only doing it because he was up for unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. But, with respect to Hickey's (I mean the Gazette columnist's) argument, I suppose it's entirely probable given that hockey is a business and making as much money as possible is the nature of that business.
Mike Komisarek wore his heart on his sleeve as a Canadien. It was no secret that the Canadiens wanted to keep him. Should some of the blame transfer to Bob Gainey for losing him? Of course. Would we be talking about this had Bob Gainey made a 5-year offer for 20-million dollars in January? Maybe. But, probably not.
One thing seemed clear at the final press conference of the season (though many of us tried to rationalize that Komisarek was just spitting stuff that would keep his value high to the Canadiens) that Komisarek was speaking like his time with the Canadiens was spent. Here's what Arpon Basu of the AP had to say at his blog the
Daily Hab-it, yesterday:
"a guy whose mind was made up as soon as the Habs were eliminated from the playoffs and he began referring to his time here in the past tense, totally ducking every question about where he would play next year."
It's not about 2 million more over 5 years, and it's not even about signing with the one team that would clearly sicken Canadiens fans. It's about Komisarek wanting to leave despite the Canadiens wanting to keep him over everyone, and denying them an opportunity to match offers despite how well he was treated on a personal and professional level by the Canadiens. And I emphasize on personal, because though this is a business, the Canadiens went above and beyond professional requirements for treating an employee with respect.
And from a fan's perspective (even the guys at the Gazette are fans, as are 95% of the reporters and journalists who cover the team, or any other pro sports team) I loved Mike Komisarek for who he was to the Canadiens, for being such a pleasure to deal with as a media member, and for playing with so much courage and heart on a daily basis. I have no problem admitting that it makes me upset that not only will he not be a part of the Canadiens, but that he'll be a part of the Leafs. But, that doesn't amount to a fraction of the reason for which I suggested that his decision was a kick in the pants to the Canadiens and their fans. However, that part of me has a hard time wishing him well in his endeavors with the Leafs. Should I buy a Grabovski jersey too, or is he not worthy of the same respect because he wasn't a very likeable Montreal Canadien?
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I'd like to take the opportunity to say that everyone is entitled to their opinion. The backlash regarding Komisarek's decision has been highly emotional, and very intense. I don't agree with everything that's been said, but clearly understand why people are upset. I also understand those that suggest there was nothing wrong with what Komisarek did, and that he should be praised for his time as a Hab and wished luck in his future with the Leafs.
Also, that I have no personal issue with Pat Hickey, or with his disagreement with my assessment. I have the latitude here at hockeybuzz to express my opinion, and Hickey's article this morning suggesting my response to Komisarek's decision as fan-like and irrational was an opportunity to further explain myself.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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