"You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain": Leo Komarov

[Knies iT]

Said numerous times on here years ago that we should have capitalized on his all-star season. These forechecking grinders never last in this league and considering that Komarov came over to North America in his late 20's, it was to be expected that he would have a short-lived prime and his shelf-life was limited. Ruutu was the perfect precedent to follow and the Leafs botched it because he's a "good pro". 1 even strength point is mind bogglingly bad considering his usage. The fact that Babcock can't see this simply proves his overvaluing of off-ice impact and is making me seriously, seriously question his competence at formulating a roster.

On a side note, there is no chance in hell he's top 5 league wide in hits. Every single "hit" is a soft rubout that barely constitutes contact. He's living off of his 2013/2014 reputation as a relentless forechecker and IMO his numbers are benefiting from that.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

the biggest problem is his usage from Babcock rather than his play. if he wasn't getting destroyed by top competition for 20 minutes a night he wouldn't look so bad

 

[MR4]

the biggest problem is his usage from Babcock rather than his play. if he wasn't getting destroyed by top competition for 20 minutes a night he wouldn't look so bad

Gotta say I disagree, what made him great was that he was essentially Hyman with a bit better offense, giving full effort on every forechecking with the addition of being a troll, and we've seen nothing of it this season. Also if he isn't playing on our 3rd line, he isn't suited to the Matthews line nor the offensive, highly-sheltered line. So it's really 4th line or press box for the team to be better

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Gotta say I disagree, what made him great was that he was essentially Hyman with a bit better offense, giving full effort on every forechecking with the addition of being a troll, and we've seen nothing of it this season. Also if he isn't playing on our 3rd line, he isn't suited to the Matthews line nor the offensive, highly-sheltered line. So it's really 4th line or press box for the team to be better

yeah I agree he should be on the 4th line, but it's Babcock's decision to play him for 18-20 minutes every night that really causes problems.

 

[pylon17]

Last in RelCF%, 2nd last in RelxGF%, last in GS/60, last in P1/60... the eye test and the stats confirm each other.

where can i find these stats? i dont see them on hock ref

 

[pylon17]

His job is not to bring offence. He is an elite match up winger and first option on a good PK. He is a great fore checker and brings a pest mentality that you don't see in many other Leafs. His job is support the people who drive the team. just because he is not laying down Double Dion's every night does not mean he is not effective. Watch how many times he wins 50/50 battles. He has a thankless role and some fans are clearly clueless to the value he brings.

I agree with this. He's a valuable 4th line roleplayer, soak up PK time, etc.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Good two way player, plays well with Naz in the match ups and on the PK/FO's. Hyman will most likely fill his role next season.

Leafs will resign him cheap and he will outplay/out hustle a young guy back into our top 9...

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

I'm pretty sure you have to actually score occasionally and not get completely destroyed in possession to be considered a two-way player. Komarov is a glorified 4th line PK specialist at this point.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

If we can all agree he's not in the lineup to provide offense, why not take him off the powerplay?
it's also time to stop calling him a success as a matchup player. he does too poorly in his role

 

[indigobuffalo]

Said numerous times on here years ago that we should have capitalized on his all-star season. These forechecking grinders never last in this league and considering that Komarov came over to North America in his late 20's, it was to be expected that he would have a short-lived prime and his shelf-life was limited. Ruutu was the perfect precedent to follow and the Leafs botched it because he's a "good pro". 1 even strength point is mind bogglingly bad considering his usage. The fact that Babcock can't see this simply proves his overvaluing of off-ice impact and is making me seriously, seriously question his competence at formulating a roster.

On a side note, there is no chance in hell he's top 5 league wide in hits. Every single "hit" is a soft rubout that barely constitutes contact. He's living off of his 2013/2014 reputation as a relentless forechecker and IMO his numbers are benefiting from that.

That’s the amazing thing about facts. When you find they don’t support your hypothesis you ignore them!

 

[Muston Atthews]

Komarov: the first two way player not to provide any offense... at all

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Komarov: the first two way player not to provide any offense... at all

or defense either really
44 cf% (-7.3 rel)
43 gf% (-14.4 rel)
46.7 xgf% (-6.6 rel)

better get him out there for 19 minutes a night though!

 

[SprDaVE]

or defense either really
44 cf% (-7.3 rel)
43 gf% (-14.4 rel)
46.7 xgf% (-6.6 rel)

better get him out there for 19 minutes a night though!

Even if you don't put out any numbers you know he's been bad. It's mind boggling that Babcock can be so naive to think that sitting out Leivo for Komarov would be a good move.

There's no tie to be had that should be going to Komarov, he's been awful no matter how much you like the guy.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Komarov has been a good player for us, but he has his place right now - and that should be the 4th line. Absolute craziness he's getting all kinds of minutes and PP time while guys sit. Accountability goes out the window.

Also Leafs have a habit of hanging on to guys well past their best before date.

 

[daveleaf]

Like everything on here I am sure no one has an inside idea of what is going on behind the scenes. Would they like to Play Leivo and Kapannen every night? I believe the answer is yes but they have players right now on more expensive contracts that they need to find a home for or believe they need Leo and a couple of others for a playoff run. Problem with the Leafs board is guys micro analyze everything. Even after this 3 game loosing streak we are in good shape. If anyone before the season would have said the Leafs would finish in the top 1/3rd of the league and win a round or two in the playoffs would you be disappointed? Guys just have to chill and enjoy the ride.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Like everything on here I am sure no one has an inside idea of what is going on behind the scenes. Would they like to Play Leivo and Kapannen every night? I believe the answer is yes but they have players right now on more expensive contracts that they need to find a home for or believe they need Leo and a couple of others for a playoff run. Problem with the Leafs board is guys micro analyze everything. Even after this 3 game loosing streak we are in good shape. If anyone before the season would have said the Leafs would finish in the top 1/3rd of the league and win a round or two in the playoffs would you be disappointed? Guys just have to chill and enjoy the ride.

Not sure they will win a round or 2 in the playoffs playing like this. OK, maybe a round since the Atlantic is so weak. Don't think they looked like a really good team all season long despite the 20 wins.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Not sure they will win a round or 2 in the playoffs playing like this. OK, maybe a round since the Atlantic is so weak. Don't think they looked like a really good team all season long despite the 20 wins.

Gotta agree. And the grind of the playoffs - right now i just don't see this team rising up to that. Teams have figured out how to stop them

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

Like everything on here I am sure no one has an inside idea of what is going on behind the scenes. Would they like to Play Leivo and Kapannen every night? I believe the answer is yes but they have players right now on more expensive contracts that they need to find a home for or believe they need Leo and a couple of others for a playoff run. Problem with the Leafs board is guys micro analyze everything. Even after this 3 game loosing streak we are in good shape. If anyone before the season would have said the Leafs would finish in the top 1/3rd of the league and win a round or two in the playoffs would you be disappointed? Guys just have to chill and enjoy the ride.

If they need Leo for a playoff run why are they giving him lots of minutes now when he's playing like garbage?

 

[daveleaf]

Not sure they will win a round or 2 in the playoffs playing like this. OK, maybe a round since the Atlantic is so weak. Don't think they looked like a really good team all season long despite the 20 wins.

And this is what is wrong with some people. We have won 20 games thus far but we suck, everyone is ready to fall over the edge and it is funny. Are they playing great right now? No but they are far from not earning their 20 wins. Listening to Boudreau yesterday and he said every team goes through a slump and you just have to manage it. You guys would trade everyone and start over. Playoffs don't start next week. Just chill and watch the games.

 

[GlitchMarner]

Leo Komarov Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

Komarov is receiving more than 64% defensive zone starts and has a CF% of 43.9%. He's contributing little offensively, doesn't seem to be as agitating as he used to be and is pretty much a replacement-level player at best at this point. Leo seems to be a drag on Kadri.

According to hockey reference (^), he has a point share of 0 this season, meaning he has literally contributed nothing to the team's overall point total.

 

[Menzinger]

or defense either really
44 cf% (-7.3 rel)
43 gf% (-14.4 rel)
46.7 xgf% (-6.6 rel)

better get him out there for 19 minutes a night though!

That’s what’s really concerning - his possession numbers have been dropping like a stone.

This season he’s a guy who ideally should be slid down to a more sheltered role on the 4th line.

Instead he gets 18+ min a night in a game where the team is down by multiple goals.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

That’s what’s really concerning - his possession numbers have been dropping like a stone.

This season he’s a guy who ideally should be slid down to a more sheltered role on the 4th line.

Instead he gets 18+ min a night in a game where the team is down by multiple goals.

yeah and the other problem is it's at the expense of players like Nylander, Kapanen, and Marner who could all have used ice time as valuable experience to help them develop & let them know they have the confidence of the coach. but whatever

 

[Menzinger]

yeah and the other problem is it's at the expense of players like Nylander, Kapanen, and Marner who could all have used ice time as valuable experience to help them develop & let them know they have the confidence of the coach. but whatever

That’s been my thinking exactly.

I’d like to go back to how things were last season. Nylander and Marner for the most part got very consistent usage and just let them iron out their own mistakes rather than all the yo-yoing that’s happened this season

 

[Mr Hockey]

That’s what’s really concerning - his possession numbers have been dropping like a stone.

This season he’s a guy who ideally should be slid down to a more sheltered role on the 4th line.

Instead he gets 18+ min a night in a game where the team is down by multiple goals.

Leo played 11:51 5-vs-5 minutes last night.

zone starts from last nights game below

Player	ZSO	ZSD	oZS%
Morgan Rielly	11	6	64.7
Tyler Bozak	8	3	72.7
Nazem Kadri	8	5	61.5
Mitch Marner	8	3	72.7
Jake Gardiner	7	3	70.0
Ron Hainsey	7	10	41.2
James van Riemsdyk	7	3	70.0
Patrick Marleau	6	4	60.0
William Nylander	6	5	54.5
Connor Brown	5	4	55.6
Zach Hyman	5	7	41.7
Nikita Zaitsev	5	6	45.5
Andreas Borgman	4	2	66.7
Kasperi Kapanen	4	0	100.0
Leo Komarov	3	8	27.3
Matt Martin	3	0	100.0
Dominic Moore	3	1	75.0
Roman Polak	3	5	37.5
TOTAL			56.9

[THEAD] [/THEAD]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Its hard to have a good possession stat when you're being deployed in the d'zone often.

 

[Menzinger]

Leo played 11:51 5-vs-5 minutes last night.

zone starts from last nights game below

Player	ZSO	ZSD	oZS%
Morgan Rielly	11	6	64.7
Tyler Bozak	8	3	72.7
Nazem Kadri	8	5	61.5
Mitch Marner	8	3	72.7
Jake Gardiner	7	3	70.0
Ron Hainsey	7	10	41.2
James van Riemsdyk	7	3	70.0
Patrick Marleau	6	4	60.0
William Nylander	6	5	54.5
Connor Brown	5	4	55.6
Zach Hyman	5	7	41.7
Nikita Zaitsev	5	6	45.5
Andreas Borgman	4	2	66.7
Kasperi Kapanen	4	0	100.0
Leo Komarov	3	8	27.3
Matt Martin	3	0	100.0
Dominic Moore	3	1	75.0
Roman Polak	3	5	37.5
TOTAL			56.9

[THEAD] [/THEAD]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Its hard to have a good possession stat when you're being deployed in the d'zone often.

His usage is certainly difficult, but his numbers are also down compared to previous seasons.