Top Priority: Mike Komisarek

In the midst of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, perhaps it’s a little early to discuss the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs splurging in this year’s Unrestricted Free Agent crop by  acquiring Mike Komisarek. But hey, four consecutive years of missing the post-season will do that, and speculation is always fun, so let’s discuss!

Komisarek has been a serviceable defensive defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens, no doubt about it. Ever since he completed his first full season with the Canadiens back in the 2005-06 campaign, Habs fans have been privy to the defensive abilities #8 brings to the ice. While he lacks offensive skills, and his potential in the department is limited, he made it to the NHL because of his defensive play. Komisarek excels specifically in hits and defensive zone coverage. In fact, at the end of the 2007-08 campaign, he led all defensemen with 227 blocked shots, and finished second in hits with 266.

This season, however, many Canadiens fans have criticized the 27 year-old of poor play in his own end, and have questioned whether or not it is worth offering him a contract extension. Living in a household of Canadiens fans, I can say I’ve seen my fair share of Habs hockey. I’ve always been a fan of Komisarek’s game, and have regarded him as a top defensive defenseman in the NHL during the past few years. Like all defensive defensemen, Komisarek is underappreciated and gets little notice around the league (besides Pierre Maguire, that is). However, Komisarek did have a disappointing season, no question. He still led the Canadiens in hits with 191, (ranked 25th overall) but it’s a serious downgrade from his 266 last season. In the blocked shots category, he finished with 207 (ranked 4th overall). He was also ranked 7th overall in giveaways with 89, which is obviously considering for a player of his type. That is 29 more giveaways than he had in the 2007-08 season. It’s also worth mentioning that the Canadiens struggled this season, and few players (even Carey Price) struggled to find success, so this could easily be a bump in the road.

All that said, it must be mentioned that he is still young, and defensemen generally take more time to develop. Komisarek’s upcoming seasons will be huge in terms of his development as a defensive defenseman in the NHL. He has the potential to be one of the meanest and toughest defensemen, (as mentioned, see stats of 07-08 season) but some hard work is definitely in order. If you ask me, patience would go a long way for Komisarek. He often finds himself in trouble by making rash decisions when under pressure from the opposition. If he could attain a little more poise, it would propel his defensive game to new levels.

Pertaining to the Leafs’ off-season plan, I think it would benefit them immensely to sign a player like Komisarek. He’s young, and he’s got potential; should fit right into Brian Burke’s regime. His price tag may be a little high, but considering he struggled this season, it shouldn’t be anything near baffling. If he does work out, he’d be a serviceable defenseman once the rebuilding phase is complete. That, and I’m giddy like a school girl thinking about a Luke Schenn – Komisarek pairing on the PK unit.

What do you think?

You stay classy, MLHS.

ronguillet@mapleleafshotstove.com

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  • keon

    Orpik makes $3.75 M per, so a decent contract for Komisarek would be 3.5-3.75, no more.

    Hopefully Burke has no intention of going after him.

  • http://leafs.hockeyanalysis.com Steve

    Ok, here are my issues with Komisarek as a signing.

    1. He plays the same role we expect Schenn to fill down the line. If Schenn is your top shut down D man in a year or two, what happens to Komisarek’s ice time? Can you afford to pay both of them $4+ million a year if you want depth on the team?

    2. If you’re paying Komisarek $4+ million and Schenn $4+ million in a few years when the team is competitive, how much does that leave for skill D men and other role players? How much money does it leave for your forward corps?

    3. As much as I think he’s solid on the hit totals and the blocked shots, I don’t know that he excels all around in his own end. Montreal’s coaching staff didn’t think too highly of him this season, and his minutes were down around 20 per game. That makes him the #4 d man on Montreal. If he’s the #4 guy on a good team, and Schenn is the #2, (or vice versa) then he needs to do better than an even rating.

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  • WREGGET

    This is a mute point anyways as Komisarek will end up a NY Ranger next season.

  • Jordan

    No way ANYONE gets signed with the Rangers next year. Your out of your mind lol. They are in deeppppppp shit with their cap number right now and adding Gilroy will just hurt more. They will be trying to dump Redden and other salary before anything

  • Goal Post

    Although it would be nice to have Komisarek with the Leafs next year, I don’t see it happening. I think he will end up in New York with either the Rangers or Isles or with New Jersey. We have a Komisarek in the making with Phil Oreskovic. He has worked on his skating and did not look out of place during his brief debut last year. Before you start sending me nasty replys take this into consideration. Chances are good Burke will trade some prime talent on the Leafs such as Kaberle, Poni, Stajan and Mayers. The odds are against the Leafs to make the playoffs again next year. So why don’t they let their young players like Oreskovic develop in the NHL and go after Taylor Hall in 2010. The Leafs would be following the development plan used by the Pens and Hawks. If we get Hall, he would be the best of a good group of youngsters such as Mitchell, Stefanovich, Dido, Hanson, Bozak, Tlusty and Pogge/Gustavsson. This is assuming we don’t get JT or MD this year.

  • kyle

    i would rather spend the money on a forward or a backup goalie

  • Adam Woikin

    I would love this move if it were to happen. I loved the Sundin and Komisarek feud, great shut down guy.

  • Jon

    Someone will overpay and I HOPE it is not us….
    He sucked in the playoffs

  • coreu

    I, like most of you would love to add Mike K. to the defensive corps.

    The problem is that he will be looking to get paid; and unfortunately, what his value is going to be on the open market is higher than the value that the current maple leafs roster can handle.

    We have an overpaid Jeff Finger; who plays a lot like Mike K. accept without the ‘sizzle’. Unless there is a trade for Finger to be made (and there likely is not) then we have to live with that decision. There is no sense in throwing 7-8 Mil to 2 players who play basically the same game. Mike K, who I’d love to see in the blue and white – is not the right move at this point for the leafs, unfortunately.

    GM’s have to be cap smart! The good thing about our Maple Leafs is that we have a lot of flexibility with the cap which needs to be managed properly moving forward. More importantly here, is that previous GM’s did not have the foresight to manage player types vs cap hit in as it compares to upcoming free agents and thier potential cap hits. Short-sighted management has revealed its ugly head once again and its going to take a few more years to breakthrough the handcuffs placed on B.B.

  • Patrick

    Too redundant of a signing, considering the players we have on the team, and in the system. Schenn is likely to be our top shut down D man this year. Finger plays a similar role, and we’re already paying him 3.5 million a year. And Phil Oreskovich, who showed well in an injury call up, looks to be ready to take a regular shift.

    We’re likely going to be losing Kaberle. So I think it’s in Burkes agenda to replace his minutes, either in the system, which White, and Stralman are the only two capable atm. Or via free agency, which the only player worth his time persuing would be Bouwmeester.

  • Roacho

    Many interesting points. I think it’s a given that Kabs or kubina will be moved in the off-season. I think Komisarek would complement Schenn moving forward, however the price needs to be right. I’d offer him 3-3.5 and see if that’s enough to get it done. By the same token, do the Leafs really need another defensive dman? I’m not so sure. I’d like to see the Leafs trade Kaberle for a 1st round pick and try to get Cowen and Ekman-Larsson in the fold. That would put all doubts about the Leafs D to rest for good. Schenn and Cowen are your big shutdown guys and Ekman-Larsson runs the pp.

  • refaeL

    “Chances are good Burke will trade some prime talent on the Leafs such as Kaberle, Poni, Stajan and Mayers.”

    Which word doesn’t belong in this quote? You got it! “PRIME”! (With the exception of Kaberle, of course).

    Here’s how it should go:
    Kaberle: PRIME
    Poni: Lots of Potential
    Stajan: Serviceable\Replaceable
    Mayers: A Fletcher Brain Fart

  • http://mapleleafhotstove.com dale spinx

    I like Beauchemin over Komisarek. I think Komisarek toiled a bit in the spotlight of Montreal, and coming into Toronto as the big free agent pick up would add undue pressure to a guy who is coming off a lack lustre season. Komisarek is better suited to play for the islander in relative anonimity….and like the other comments, I dont want to see Lucic speedbag him six times a year.

  • Lil Jimmy

    Komi is good but will command too much at 5M. I’d rather have JayBo at 7M. All the D plus elite level offensive potential. 2 years younger and getting better every year.

    We have seen the best Komi has to offer, and I think the repeated beatings administered on him by Lucic will have a lasting effect on his confidence. He used to have a certain air of indestructibility on the ice, but by the end of the Boston series he looked small, mistake-prone and very unsure of himself.

  • Blair

    I think the most interesting point in all of this is that if the Leafs stay at the 7th pick they will be taking Cowen, who is another young shut down D who would have a solid chance of cracking the team at some point next year. Even if the Leafs don’t load up on another defensive defenseman, they need to lose at least one of Kaberle/Kubina/Finger in order to justify signing Komisarek, who at best will be signed for $3.5 million, but more likely a million more than that unless he was humbled by last season. Komi is an upgrade on Finger, so to reduce redundancy Finger is the best to try and move. The bottom line is this team needs to get better defense and while I think ridding ourselves of Kaberle and Kubina will go a long way in that respect, signing a Komisarek or the poor-man’s Komisarek, Beauchemin, is the way to address that need.

    By the way, Oreskovic was solid in his call up but it’s a little premature to say he will develop in to a player as good as Komisarek.

  • Josh

    off topic but what do you guys think of going after harding?
    thefourthperiod (not sure how legit they are) is reporting the wild will look to move him. if gustavsson doesnt work out he could be a good plan B, and could end up being a better move in the long term. hes only 25 and has had very good GAA and SV% numbers at the NHL and AHL levels. he could push toskala for playing time this year and if it improves toskalas play we could potentially use vesa as trade bait at the deadline potentially bringing in a 1st from a team needing help or an injury replacement. harding seems to be ready to become a starter from what hes shown and he would make trading toskala before his contract expires a lot easier. having cliff as part of our management team could also help now that chuck fletcher is the wild GM.
    what does anyone think? and what do you think it would take to pluck him out of minnesota? maybe a 2nd + a player like stajan?

  • dan

    Jay Harrison blows.. i hope we never have to see him again!

  • Dan

    I go back and forth with Komisarek. Maybe it is his association with the Habs that ultimately drives up my hate for the guy.
    .
    But it is comments like: “He has the potential to be one of the meanest and toughest defensemen” that I just don’t agree with.
    .
    I’m sorry, the way he turtled like a little bitch all playoffs long when challenged by Lucic really doesn’t give him this mean tough image. In fact, all he did was give face-washes in after-ice scrums when Lucic was either not on the ice or not paying attention. From what I’ve seen from him lately, his cheap shots and a cowardly attitude make him a bitch of a player and a poor-excuse for a tough d-man.

  • J Reinhardt

    I’m just leary this summer about signing large contracts when we are unsure what the cap will be next year (’10-’11). If we make trades I would like to see it dealt for youth and/or draft picks. It may be that come the trade deadline teams will be eager to trade for expiring contracts or will deal draft picks or youth to deal larger contracts to the Leafs if the Leafs are still sitting pretty with regards to cap level.

  • Richard-Steven Williams

    I like Milan Lucic too much to watch Komisarek get his @ss handed to him while wearing a Leafs jersey.

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