Advertisement

Too Much Cash for Komarov?

Obviously, the latter report conveys considerably less optimism when it comes to getting a deal done. Dave Nonis had no scruples about suggesting Komarov’s departure last summer was “about money,” not mentioning role, ice time or the Olympics.

Komarov reportedly made $2 million in the KHL last season, and according to Chris Johnston that was twice the amount the Leafs were willing to pay Leafs Nation’s popular pest.

Komarov posted 9 points in 42 games in the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign. While contracts are awarded based on career body of work, it’s hard not to point out the 11 points David Clarkson put up in 60 games after receiving 525% of the dollars Komarov was offered per annum, plus a lot more term.

One overpayment doesn’t mean Nonis should knowingly commit another, but I’d be finding something in the $1.5-1.9 million range to make sure Komarov is back as a versatile bottom six option on the Leafs next season. That might be a bit rich for Nonis’ tastes.

Leafs interested in Boyle, Boyle interested in Leafs?

Darren Dreger suggested on the radio yesterday that — somewhat surprising if true (one figures Boyle would be Cup hunting) — the Maple Leafs are high on Dan Boyle’s list of potential destinations if he hits UFA (the Islanders will have a couple more weeks here to try to get a deal done having acquired his rights). The interest apparently is mutual.

Sharks fans had begun to turn on Dan Boyle this past season:

[quote_box_center]In his sixth season with the franchise for which he’s the all-time leading scorer among defensemen, Dan Boyle had a disappointing year. He’d probably be the first to tell you that, too, considering what a frank assessment he gave of his play earlier in the season, admitting that he’d likely rushed his return from a concussion. That brain injury, the result of a horrific boarding penalty committed by Blues forward Maxim Lapierre, likely exacerbated the natural age-related decline that was already coming down the pike for the 37-year-old blueliner. Boyle finished the season with 12 goals and 36 points, his lowest output ever in a season where he’s played 70 or more games but his struggles were about more than production; few and far between were the singular rushes, perfect stretch passes and power play brilliance that Boyle’s tenure in teal will forever be associated with.
Fear the Fin[/quote_box_center]

On the positive side of things, Boyle did lead one of the best team’s in the league in time on ice last season, despite a concussion affecting his play, and is a veteran righty who would slot nicely onto the Leafs‘ second pairing. He may well find a bit a new lease on life in the more open Eastern Conference gameplay and is a pretty sure bet to break 40-45 points given he suffered from some hard luck last season. Assuming Cody Franson isn’t coming back, Boyle would be a highly-capable powerplay substitute.

With that said, it’s all about price and if it’s worth giving Boyle the two years he wants. Boyle played the softest minutes among the Sharks’ six regular D last season with 52.1% offensive zone starts, a low quality of competition, and he’s turning 38 in a month. We know he wants a two year deal. Leafs management would have believe the aging Boyle has enough game left to come in and help out Phaneuf with some of the toughs in 2014-15 and 2015-16 or else the the cap space is probably better spent elsewhere.

Player usage chart - 6 players

Thursday Links:

Previous articleTrading Down in the 2014 NHL Draft
Next article(Friday Mashup) Two Weeks to Draft Day
Alec Brownscombe is the founder and editor of MapleLeafsHotStove.com, where he has written daily about the Leafs since September of 2008. He's published five magazines on the team entitled "The Maple Leafs Annual" with distribution in Chapters and newsstands across the country. He also co-hosted "The Battle of the Atlantic," a weekly show on TSN1200 that covered the Leafs and the NHL in-depth. Alec is a graduate of Trent University and Algonquin College with his diploma in Journalism. In 2014, he was awarded Canada's Best Hockey Blogger honours by Molson Canadian. You can contact him at alec.brownscombe@mapleleafshotstove.com.