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New York Islanders Sign Leo Komorov To Four-Year Deal

By Matt O'Leary
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 19: Leo Komarov #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during the warm-up prior to playing against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 19, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Capitals defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 to even series 2-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 19: Leo Komarov #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during the warm-up prior to playing against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 19, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Capitals defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 to even series 2-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders added some depth at forward by signing Leo Komarov to a four-year deal.

No matter what else happens today it’s going to be rough because of what happened with John Tavares. One thing is for sure though, the New York Islanders couldn’t sit on their hands once JT left.

Lou Lamoriello elected to add a familiar face to the mix by bringing in former Maple Leaf Leo Komarov on a four-year $12 million ($3 million AAV) deal.

Komorav has been in the league since the 2012-2013 season. He is coming off a season in which he played 74 games and had 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists). Previously, he had two very productive years in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016.

He had 32 and 36 points in those two years. He can play either right wing or center, despite being a left-handed shot. He seems like a likely replacement for Nikolay Kulemin who went off to the KHL.

His ice time was nearly two minutes less than the previous two years where he had over 30 points so that would explain the decrease in production.

The Islanders have a hole at third line center so perhaps he can fill that role. Or, what we thought two years ago, Casey can get bumped into the third line role. Regardless of how the Islanders decide to run it, it definitely fixes their issues in their bottom six.

My one criticism is the term. I’m not sure how I feel about locking up a 31-year-old for four years. It has the potential to be a Cal Clutterbuck or Casey Cizikas type of contract, but I’ll give Lou the benefit of the doubt.

Next: Islanders must move forward

The Islanders are certainly keeping the trend of an expensive bottom six going. Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas, Andrew Ladd and Leo Komarov will all play in the bottom six and combine for a cap hit of $15.25 million.

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