If you were to look up the mysterious Leo Komarov you would find out his full name is Leonid Aleksandrovits Komarov. That’s a tongue twister if I’ve ever heard one.
He’s a Finnish-Russian professional athlete that was raised in Finland and has even won a gold medal with the Finnish national team in 2011 at the IIHF World Championships. He is a man of many languages as he was moved around as a child, learning along the way of course. At five years of age Leo and his family resided in Nykarleby, Finland where his father played ice hockey. Along the way, Komarov learned to speak four languages in Swedish, Finnish, Russian and English. Who better to chirp the opposition than Leo himself?
Born in January of 1987 in Estonia, Leo is now 28 years of age and weighs in at 200 pounds of glory as he thunderously throws his weight around on the ice frustrating his opponents playing more of a Canadian style game than most non North-American players tend to. The left handed forward can play wing or center and brings a spark to the club that nobody has brought since the days of Darcy Tucker and Gary Roberts. My hopes are the Leafs are able to ice a high quality playoff team while Komarov is still on the roster; as his style of play would be perfect for a long hard playoff grind.
The Aquarius may have a clean shave now, but he is more of a mountaineer playing hockey than your typical Ontario born dress shirt and tie for Junior games type guy. Leo seems to be more of a wildcat than that, maybe wearing his Leafs gear that he wore in Russia when he played for Moscow Dynamo in 2013/14. Komarov actually wanted to ensure his fellow Leafs fans that he was still a part of Leafs Nation whether he was on the team that year or not.
The Leafs actually made the playoffs the year before when Komarov was on the team. They following year when he was playing for Dynamo the Leafs failed to make the playoffs and were quickly to resign Leo for the 2014/15 season. He tallied 12 goals and 22 assists in 52 games playing for Moscow Dynamo, but also chipped in 3 goals and an assist in 7 playoff games.
There are not a lot of experienced players on the Maple Leafs that were actually drafted by Toronto. Leo has played 104 games for the Leafs, acquiring 35 points and 36 penalty minutes. He likely deserved a lot more minutes in the box than he served; he’s a professional agitator, and a beauty at that.
Over short period of time Leo has played for the Leafs, he’s got a few nicknames along the way. “Uncle Leo…, “Leo the ‘cat’ Komarov…, “Komagod… and of course “Corporal… and “Komrade… that have stuck since his first stint with the big club. Leo’s surely one of the fan favorites as they can recognize his work ethic and commitment to being a in your face physical player who can chip in from time to time. Already, Komarov has five goals this season, not too shabby as he and Lupul are tied with the club’s lead in goals.
Leo grew up a big fan of Jagr and Jarkko Ruutu, he would enjoy watching highlights of his two idols with his friends before they would venture out to the outdoor rink where he would practice and play games of shinny. Where the “Corporal… grew up there was no indoor rinks where he was at that age, which must be part of why he is one tough son of a gun. Back home he is the local hero, all his family friends and youngsters who want to be pro hockey players look up to Komarov. There is a local indoor rink that the kids in the area where he grew up play, the rink is named after Leo, ‘Komarov Arena’.
Not only do the fans and Leo’s locals love him, but the dressing room has always enjoyed Leo’s presence with his antics and his sense of humor that brings a sense of ease to the newcomers. Komarov grew up playing with Granlund and Lehtera in the Finnish system, and also at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi where they won a Bronze medal; they are still friends to this day. Ovechkin and Komarov are also friends after playing together for the Dynamo; you wouldn’t know it after watching Ovechkin cheap shot Leo last year. Likely something that was discussed over a few pints this past summer.
Now that Babcock has taken over the coaching job for the Leafs, Leo finds himself playing on the first line with Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk. He’s also getting some secondary power play time with Bozak and Matthias in the early goings of the season. Komarov has been successful in Babcock’s system as he is a great on the fore check and never gives up on a play. Leo crashes the net hard and is a real nuisance for the opposition as he gets under players skin with ease and has the quick tongue that can spew out a word or two to infuriate whoever he’s irritating. He’s one of those players you just want to punch in the face I feel; I love him.
Babcock may share my feelings as Leo Komarov seems to be his Justin Abdelkader. They are the player who has skill, but more so grit and determination to win battles and get the puck to the higher skilled players on the line. This is exactly what he has accomplished in the early goings of the season, and I for one think he can keep it up; whether the puck is going in off his stick, skate or shin pad; Leo is the man.
Komarov sure did get fined this summer for speeding in Finland, 35,600 euros. There are different rules in Finland; traffic fines are based on your income. Komarov had no problem admitting he was a pro hockey player, but he reported an incoming of zero euros and claimed that it was technically correct as players don’t receive pay through the summer. Obviously in the end the judge rolled his or her eyes and hit Leo with a big fine to set him straight. That’s just the type of guy Leo Komarov is!
With two more years remaining on his contract after this season at 2.95 million; Leo may be just the player Babcock wants for one of his top lines to grind it out. As long as he stays out of the box, and continues to win battles; he will be a good piece for the Leafs going forward. There is something to be said about a player who has relentless battle in them, someone who will do anything to win. We need more players with that mindset on the team; it’s contagious and will certainly help revitalize some hope into Leafs Nation.
Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed the Leo special.