Coming into the season, expectations surrounding Leo Komarov were mixed. Regardless of any expectations, it hasn’t been an easy season for Komarov, but as the back-half of the season progressed he started to show why Lou Lamorellio wanted him on the Islanders in the first place. His hefty cap hit at $3 million per season for another two years following this one is not pennies on the dollar, as that cap space would be better suited towards paying cheaper players with similar skills. With that said, it would be unfair to blame the player for accepting a contract, but it is still something to keep in mind. 

The Good

Despite facing some injury problems this season, Leo Komarov has come around as a formidable fourth line option. Since being placed on the fourth line by head coach Barry Trotz, Komarov prospered, recording more goals in a month than he did the entire season. Leo Komarov is an annoying pest, and when put into a position to succeed, he does his job very well. His grit and determination are unparalleled, and he is a fantastic locker room presence for the younger players on this team. His low time on ice of 12:36 per game allows him to be a much-needed spark on the bottom lines, without being heavily relied on for offensive duty. 
His discipline is also something to note, as one would typically assume an energy guy like Komarov would sometimes land his team in penalty trouble; however, this was not the case this year. Komarov has done an excellent job staying out of the penalty box, timing his hits well, and being an over nuisance for opposing matchups that have to compete with his never say die attitude. 

The Bad

While not being relied on for offense, it took Komarov a while before he recorded his first goal. His first goal came on Jan. 14 against the bottom-feeding Detroit Red Wings in a blowout win for the Islanders. At the stoppage, Komarov had a stat line of 4-10-14, which isn’t inherently bad for a fourth-liner but coupled with his cap hit, it makes it much harder to digest. The failed attempt for him to have a spot on the third-line is also something to note, as he just was not producing when given more responsibility and ice-time. 

The Expectations

Luckily for Komarov, the expectations surrounding him were not too high coming into the season. It would be unfair for anyone to expect an offensive explosion out of a 33-year-old who has never recorded more than 36 points in a season. Komarov was simply expected to be a solid defensive option, with grit and tenacity along with chipping in a few points here and there. Many can debate whether he should have been getting more or less ice-time, but entering the season as a third-liner and being demoted has to detract from his season, even if he is now thriving on the fourth line. 

The Moment of the Season

Leo Komarov’s moment of the season came against division rival Washington Capitals. On Feb. 10, Komarov scored what would seem like a meaningless goal to cushion the Islanders lead in the third period. This would not be the case. This goal ended up being the game-winner, as the Isles edged out a win over a division rival in the middle of a tight playoff race, thanks in large part to Leo Komarov.
I would like to give an honorable mention to his assist on a Matt Martin goal on Dec. 29 when Martin scored the eventual game-winner against the Minnesota Wild. This pass was made while Komarov was falling, showing the bit of finesse Komarov still has. 

The Verdict

To call Leo Komarov’s season a disappointment would be unfair. It is hard to expect much out of a bottom-six forward. As long as they play their role, show effort and are a good locker room presence, then they should be doing well. Komarov’s occasional clutch plays helped the Islanders squeak out a few more wins, which proved to be crucial. While his cap-hit and original failure on the third-line detract from his overall grade, Komarov should prove to be reliable when the season picks back up. 

The Grade: 77/C+

John Smark