Komarov signed a one-year contract with Swedish club Lulea HF on Sunday.
Komarov was in one game with the Islanders last season, but when New York attempted to send him to the AHL, he opted to leave the team and sign with SKA of the KHL instead. He went on to score four goals and six points in 18 KHL contests in 2021-22. The 35-year-old is also a veteran of 491 career NHL games.
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Leo Komarov: Heading to KHL
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Komarov (undisclosed) will be put on unconditional waivers Thursday for the purpose of terminating his contract with the Islanders before signing with SKA of the KHL, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Komarov evidently isn't interested in playing for AHL Bridgeport, so he'll instead head back to his native Russia presumably for the rest of his playing days. If that ends up coming to fruition, the 34-year-old forward will finish his NHL career having picked up 63 goals and 170 points in 491 games split between the Maple Leafs and the Isles.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Dealing with injury
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Komarov (undisclosed) has yet to report to AHL Bridgeport, as he is rehabbing an injury, Newsday reports.
Komarov was sent down to the AHL on Oct. 19. General manager Lou Lamoriello stated Thursday that the injury is a minor one and Komarov should report to Bridgeport shortly to play.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Waived by team
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Komarov was placed on waivers by New York on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Komarov's designation for waivers comes as Matt Martin (ankle) has returned to practice. With 491 NHL games under his belt, in which he tallied 63 goals and 107 assists, Komarov could garner some interest from the NHL's other 31 clubs, though his $3 million price tag could limit the number of interested teams. If the Russian winger clears, he figures to get reassigned to AHL Bridgeport.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Fighting for roster spot
Rotowire
Komarov is battling with Kieffer Bellows and Michael Dal Colle for what might be one final roster spot on the Islanders, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Komarov could be sent down to the AHL if the Isles believe one of the other players is better for the team or it wants to take his salary off the cap. Komarov is a favorite of general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz, so it's unlikely to be for long if he is sent down. Komarov would have to pass through waivers in order to be sent down, but it's not expected that anyone would claim him and his salary.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Slides helper
Rotowire
Komarov recorded an assist, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Bruins in Game 4.
Komarov made an unselfish play in the dying seconds of the third period, setting up Jean-Gabriel Pageau's empty-net goal. The 34-year-old Komarov continues to play on the top line at even strength, but he's in the lineup for his defensive work. The veteran forward has three assists, six shots on goal, 47 hits and an even plus-minus rating in 10 playoff outings.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Manages assist
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Komarov posted an assist and three hits in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Bruins in Game 1.
Komarov earned the secondary helper on Adam Pelech's second period tally. The helper was Komarov's second in seven playoff games. The defensively sound 34-year-old has racked up 41 hits in the postseason. He's not going to see a lot of playing time, but he'll make a physical impact when he's on the ice.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Quiet so far in playoffs
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Komarov only had one assist in six games against Pittsburgh in Round 1.
Komarov actually received top-line minutes on a unit that was rather disappointing, as Mathew Barzal, and Jordan Eberle only had three points each. They'll look to crank things up on the scoresheet in Round 2 starting Saturday in Boston.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Back in there Saturday
Rotowire
Komarov (undisclosed) is expected to rejoin the Islanders' lineup Saturday against the Devils, NHL.com reports.
Komarov's projected to skate on the top line with Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle. Despite that fantasy-friendly deployment, expectations should be tempered for the 34-year-old Russian considering he has just one goal and five assists in 31 appearances this season.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Out again Thursday
Rotowire
Komarov (undisclosed) isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Devils, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
This is the second game in a row Komarov will miss with his unspecified injury. It's possible he's dealing with something minor and/or is being rested in advance of the upcoming postseason. Nevertheless, he'll get a chance to return Saturday -- also against New Jersey.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Sitting out Tuesday
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Komarov (undisclosed) is not playing Tuesday against Buffalo, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Komarov joins lineup fixtures Mathew Barzal and Matt Martin as scratches, all of which are likely sitting out due to rest. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Michael Dal Colle and Ross Johnston are entering the lineup in their places.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Yet to light lamp
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Komarov is yet to score a goal this season.
The Islanders have used Komarov as a human pinball this season. Sometimes he plays on the top line as sort of a bulldozer to clear room for Mathew Barzal, but that's hard to justify when a better player would either have to be scratched or play on a line with less talent. Perhaps he could be better used on the fourth line as a banger when either Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck (undisclosed) or Casey Cizikas is out of the lineup. His more natural spot on the third line seems to make the most sense, but that also means a more talented player gets scratched. Komarov has also been a healthy scratch for more than a few games this season. With only five assists in 27 games, sitting Komarov would be justified, but coach Barry Trotz seems to always find a reason to get him back in the lineup.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Staying on top line
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Komarov will continue play on the top line for the Islanders, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Komarov doesn't have the skills to be a top-line forward but what he does possess is the ability and willingness to get to the front of the net. The biggest thing the Islanders have missed since Anders Lee (knee) went down for the season was a big body in front of the opposing goaltender. Komarov doesn't have that kind of size, but he is still an agitator that can cause problems in the crease. Komarov only has four assists in 20 games this season, and his stay on the top line will likely only last as long as it takes general manager Lou Lamoriello to acquire a player before the April 12 trade deadline.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Clears waivers
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Komarov once again cleared waivers Wednesday and will remain with the Islanders, Chris Johnston of SportsNet reports.
Komarov has been placed on waivers several times this season by the Islanders, but no team has claimed him. The Islanders are up against the salary cap and would undoubtedly like to shed Komarov's salary, but that doesn't seem like it'll happen anytime soon.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Hits waivers
Rotowire
Komarov was waived by the Islanders on Tuesday, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.
This is likely just a procedural move that will allow the Isles to move Komarov between the taxi squad and the active roster freely. The veteran forward has tallied two helpers through 16 games this year.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Playing on top line
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Komarov played with Mathew Barzal on the top line the past two games, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
It's hard to justify why coach Barry Trotz would think this is a good idea. It probably comes down to not wanting to break up the other lines, as he and the team continue to search for a replacement for Anders Lee (knee), who is out for the remainder of the season.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: In lineup Sunday
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Komarov was promoted to the active roster Sunday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Komarov will suit up for this 14th game of the season. The 34-year-old adds a physical presence to the bottom six, as he's dished out 31 hits over 13 games, but he's contributed just two points.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Descends to taxi squad
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Komarov was dropped to the taxi squad Thursday, per CapFriendly.
Komarov has two assists and 31 hits in 13 games for the Islanders this year. He remains in the mix for bottom-six playing time.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Ascends from taxi squad
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Komarov was promoted from the taxi squad ahead of Thursday's game versus the Bruins, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Komarov is expected to slot into the lineup Thursday. The 34-year-old contributes in a checking role, as he's recorded two assists and 23 hits over nine games this season.
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Islanders' Leo Komarov: Shifts to taxi squad
Rotowire
Komarov was assigned to the taxi squad Monday, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.
Komarov won't play in Monday's game versus the Sabres, and Austin Czarnik is expected to take his place. When Komarov cracks the lineup, he's counted on to inject a physical presence, as he's posted two points and 23 hits through nine games.
