Former Leafs fan favourite unable to secure NHL contract, signs in Europe
On July 1st, 2018, former Toronto Maple Leafs fan favourite Leo Komarov signed a four year contract with the New York Islanders. For the former sixth round pick it was a new start and it would be with a familiar face under former Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello. Unfortunately at the start of the 2021-2022 season, after only playing one game, Komarov was put on waivers in a mutual agreement for contract termination. Komarov had then signed a two-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.
Yesterday it was announced via Lulea HF of the SHL, Sweden's top men's league, that "Uncle Leo" had signed a one year deal with the team. This could effectively be the nail in the coffin for an NHL return, although it isn't ruled out completely.
Leo Komarov, 35, was an effective player for the Leafs and was even third in scoring in 2015-2016 with 36 points in 67 games, which was a career high for Komarov. Those numbers aren't flashy, but Komarov was a big part of the Buds, playing a gritty style of game and, at the time, he was eating valuable top-six minutes.
If Komarov has indeed played his last NHL game, he'll finish his NHL career with a total of 491 games played, scoring 63 goals and notching 107 assists for 170 points over a 9-year career.
Komarov was drafted by the Leafs back in 2006 in the 6th round, with the 180th overall pick.
| POLL | ||
5 SEPTEMBRE | 274 ANSWERS Former Leafs fan favourite unable to secure NHL contract, signs in Europe Will Leo Komarov ever play another NHL game? | ||
| Yes | 49 | 17.9 % |
| No | 225 | 82.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
