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Some days I really don't get the fascination with Komarov.

Komarov was a GOOD 3rd liner for us last season. Not great, because of his very limited offense, but good, because he gets under the opponent's skin, he finishes his check, and he's reliable defensively. He was good in a sense he's a 6th round pick that turned into a useful player. But his draft position is a moot point now he's left the NHL.

But he's not even elite 3rd liner. He's smallish in size (listed as 5'10 to 6'0, depending on which site you trust), and despite he's a "tough" 5'10, he doesn't strike fear in his opponents with open ice hits. He is not an exceptional skater, even for 3rd liner. He is under-average for 3rd line offensively.

AND, he left the Leafs because he wanted more $$ from the KHL. We have guys who can fill the 3rd line role today, and in the future.

And to say he's an upgrade over Clarkson?? Contract aside, you probably wanna watch the Komarov games from last season before you make that statement.
 
before we shell out close to 3 million for Komarov, how about we give some of the younger guys a chance. Leivo looks like a decent prospect for a 3rd liner.
 
The Leafs don't play Clarkson's game much or very well...mbow's right. Nonis and Carlyle are going to have to figure out a way to utilize his talents. I feel like what he needs is a good match at centre more than anything. Hopefully Bolland can do that for him for the team's sake.

As for putting Clarkson on the Kessel line, well, that's just silly. He doesn't play the Thrill/JVR game that is the engine of this team's offence. doesn't have the passing or skating ability to keep up.
 
Clarkson has to figure out how to play a simple game himself ... I don't believe the last 2 seasons were a fluke, he just has to figure out how to be effective and contribute with a different team, and his big contact. he's got better, but to be fair, this is on him, you can't expect Nonis and Carlyle to do all the work to make him successful.

But it is also true Clarkson does not fit well in a rush and counter-attack game. That's not his game. ANd that's exactly why we bring him in - we need someone who can grind, cycle, be strong along the board, strong puck possession, and score the odd ugly goal. For that, he has done his job for the most part (except for the goals). I also think when Holland was on his line with Kulemin, that line was pretty darn dominating playing a cycle game. I think he CAN play on different positions on this team. I still think he is a good fit on Kadri's 2nd line, and I think he can also be a very effective winger on a 3rd line with Holland and Kulemin (or Leivo, or Bodie ... but not Raymond or D'Amigo)
 
we always have to keep in mind that the only way we'll ever get a 40+ point Clarkson is if he gets top PP duties....and that's probably not going to happen. He'll be fighting for 2nd unit minutes the whole time he's here.

we can't expect much more than a 30pt pace if he's not getting real PP time.....and right now he's at a 23pt pace....so actually not too far off where we should expect him to be at.
 
If Clarkson doesn't improve in the next couple of years the Leafs will simply move him and retain a portion of his salary. After the cap rises it won't be an issue for the moneybag leafs.
 
I still am not crying over the contract or anything, but it amazed me then and it amazes me now that for a guy who everyone and their grandmother knew was itching to be a Leaf, that he got this ridiculous 7 year term at age 29.

How did Nonis not get away with giving him 5? Clearly, it was a case of just wanting to make that splash badly enough. If he held tough on term, I bet Clarkson would've signed the same deal, or maybe gotten $250K more, on a 5 year term.

It's still not the dollars or the player that I have any problem with. It's the term. That's the killer.
 
They weren't getting Clarkson for less than 7 years. He already gave up $7 mill to sign here. Doubt that number goes up to $18 mill.

Even at 5 years its not a good deal though.
 
He wants to be a Leaf but that only goes so far ... at the end of the day, he's simply NOT going to sign a 5 year deal to play here when there are 7 and 8 year deals on the table.
 
Just read the Siegel Komarov interview... it seems like the decision to leave was based a lot more on the ability to make the olympic team (ie, more playing time in KHL) than anything.

Wonder if TO could somehow make it work, doesn't sound like he's entirely looking for a big pay day.
 
Kind of random info here that I didn't know where else to put, but the Leafs will be on an episode of Masterchef Canada tonight @ 8pm
 
What also happens is these guys see the money paid in the KHL and then they see the life they have to live in some of these cities... The travel accommodations, the hotels, the planes, the arenas, and dressing rooms etc. I'm sorry the plane rides alone shown on 24/7 were amazing.

They soon realize that making 3 million is great in Moscow or Kiev, but it doesn't beat the daily lifestyle of North America, and probably an organization like the leafs.
 
Cojo said:
Just read the Siegel Komarov interview... it seems like the decision to leave was based a lot more on the ability to make the olympic team (ie, more playing time in KHL) than anything.
Wonder if TO could somehow make it work, doesn't sound like he's entirely looking for a big pay day.
Click to expand...

People say that because they are embarrassed to say they did it for the money. He's making two and a half times the money he would have made in Toronto. Money was a huge part of it.
 
number17 said:
Some days I really don't get the fascination with Komarov.

Komarov was a GOOD 3rd liner for us last season. Not great, because of his very limited offense, but good, because he gets under the opponent's skin, he finishes his check, and he's reliable defensively. He was good in a sense he's a 6th round pick that turned into a useful player. But his draft position is a moot point now he's left the NHL.

But he's not even elite 3rd liner. He's smallish in size (listed as 5'10 to 6'0, depending on which site you trust), and despite he's a "tough" 5'10, he doesn't strike fear in his opponents with open ice hits. He is not an exceptional skater, even for 3rd liner. He is under-average for 3rd line offensively.
Click to expand...

Here's the thing. Leo was a super pest. He'd invariably draw a few penalties per game by speaking "Tikkanese" to other players, skated reasonably well and had ok offence. He'd come cheaper than Clarkson, probably for less term too. The thought of a Kadri/Komarov/Lupul line driving other teams to distraction is really tempting...That said, the team doesn't need Komarov but I'd certainly take him over Orr, McLaren...and at the very very borderline Clarkson.
 
As much as Clarkson sucks / is struggling right now, you gotta realize Clarkson may still work out in an offensive role on the Kadri line, where Komarov will NEVER pan out in a top 6 role.

If you put the $$ aside (and that's a moot point, because we've already signed Clarkson) you have to be crazy, or blind, to take Komarov over Clarkson. I guess the combination of his good rep, and the fact he hasn't played in the NHL this year make some of us forget how absolutely LIMITED he is in an offensive role. Sure I'd take him over guys like Orr, McLaren ... but he'd be a 4th liner if he comes back to play on the Leafs.
 
You can, because Clarkson is already signed, and unless you find a way to trade him his contract is on your cap so it's a totally moot point.

To compare hockey player to hockey player though, Clarkson is definitely the better hockey player of the 2.
 
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