What happens with Uncle Leo?

[The Assclown]

He's going to be 32 in his next contract year, but is still an exceptional penalty killer and has great defensive instincts. I feel as if we would benefit from having him on the fourth line and would hate to see him go elsewhere.

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[A1LeafNation]

Father time caught him

 

[supermann_98]

4th liner and penalty killer with a contract at 1m per year and I’m down for him coming back

 

[Cor]

I would assume he's back in the KHL next season unless he signs a 1 year deal back with us.

I remember hearing once that he only wants to play in Toronto, and if he wasn't playing here, would rather be in the KHL.

I think that was back around 2013ish when he came back, so it is possible that's changed.

 

[showtime8]

My guess is that Babcock pushes to sign him to a 1 year deal and he ends up playing 70+ games next season.

The best thing for him is to sign long term in the KHL.

 

[The Assclown]

4th liner and penalty killer with a contract at 1m per year and I’m down for him coming back

He deserves more than 1 million/yr though.

 

[The Assclown]

I would assume he's back in the KHL next season unless he signs a 1 year deal back with us.

I remember hearing once that he only wants to play in Toronto, and if he wasn't playing here, would rather be in the KHL.

I think that was back around 2013ish when he came back, so it is possible that's changed.

I forgot about that. Good post.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Leafs have been famous for not moving on from guys
It's time to move on
There are cheaper, younger options

 

[francis246]

My guess is that Babcock pushes to sign him to a 1 year deal and he ends up playing 70+ games next season.

The best thing for him is to sign long term in the KHL.

he will get a good deal by another NHL team. Toronto isn't the only place he can play. I wouldn't be surprised if he went to Columbus on a long term deal and had a couple great seasons there

 

[Its not your fault]

He deserves more than 1 million/yr though.

Then you wait to sign him and if its true he wants to be in Toronto he will wait. Give him 250k to 500k more. What you deserve and what a team wants to pay or can pay are two different factors.

 

[Warden of the North]

His first year here I commented he had stone hands. Then he went to Russia for a year, came back, had a couple prime years, now hes back to stone hands

Not terribly surprising. I like him on the PK and 4th line

 

[Jeypic]

I love Leo.. he’s a heart and soul player. And adds some nice veteran grit to our team. He’s stayed solid defensively.. but he’s got nothing left to give offensively.. and seems to be slowing down all together. I think we have a cheaper option in johnnson already, so I’m of the opinion it’s time to move on.

 

[Suntouchable13]

What's so exceptional about his PK skills? We need to let him go. Why should guys on your 4th liners be making millions of dollars in a cap world?

 

[leafsfuture]

His first year here I commented he had stone hands. Then he went to Russia for a year, came back, had a couple prime years, now hes back to stone hands

Not terribly surprising. I like him on the PK and 4th line

Yeah agreed.
If he wants to take 4th line money than I would be glad to have him back next year. He is a good PKer, and so far has been good closing out games.

 

[Damisoph]

I would love to have him back but not at the expense of playing younger, cheaper, and most likely, more skillful options. We need to start replacing some of these vets with young guys on ELC's.

 

[ToneDog]

Time to pull the plug on Leo. Pretty sure we can find a cheaper, speedier PKer with more than zero offensive upside.

 

[Nooodles]

 

[GodEmperor]

Take him out back, give him his favorite meal, tell him he's been a good boy...................

 

[4thline]

4th liner and penalty killer with a contract at 1m per year and I’m down for him coming back

This. Would go up into the 1.5-2 range on a single year if we're filling up the roster with internal promotions next year.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Why would you spend a mil or 2 on this guy when you can spend under a mil for a guy that is younger and with a lot more upside? It's a no brainer. Don't get attached to guys like Komarov.

 

[Jozay]

good 4th liner, but he shouldnt be taking a spot from a guy like Johnsson or Grundstrom next year.

 

[frog]

Apparently i just dont get it. Komarov is heart and soul, pk specialist, agitator, forchecker, and is loved by the team. 4th liners arent even supposed to score goals. Majority dont want him back? Well what the f*** do i know then. Maybe im living in a different world.

 

[Leafidelity]

Id bring him back in a 4th line role making 4th line money. His skills have eroded for much else.

 

[TMLeafer]

I think his game will decline more, and very quickly. I find his defense a little overstated but maybe that's just me. I wouldn't mind him back as a 4th liner on a 1 year contract, but I think the likelihood of Babcock over/misusing him is too high and Lou might just save the coach from himself. I would prefer a speedier, younger player though.

 

[FabledKnight]

Could see the leafs giving him 7mil over 3yrs.

3m years 1 and 2
1m year 3

Not saying I would want that just I wouldn't be surprised