Toronto Maple Leafs: What to Expect from New Signee Leo Komarov

The offseason is underway in Toronto.

Along with extensive pre-draft preparation, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke inked gritty forward Leo Komarov to a one-year entry level contract this past Tuesday.

Komarov, who was selected in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2006 NHL entry draft, has spent the his entire professional career playing in Europe and the KHL.

While many Leafs fans may not have heard of the Finnish center-man, he has a good shot at cracking the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2012-2013 squad as an energy or checking line kind of player.

Is it realistic to expect 20 goals and 50 points from the 25-year-old? Not at all. In fact, in Komarov's best point-per-game season, he only managed to put up 24 points through 46 games, with his career high in points coming in at 26.

What Komarov can contribute, however, is the nasty edge up front that the Maple Leafs have been sorely lacking for so long.

In all but one of his seasons overseas, Komarov has tallied more than a penalty minute per game played, which, if applied correctly, is a plus in the books of GM Brian Burke and head coach Randy Carlyle.

The main concern surrounding Komarov this fall is if he will be able to adjust right away to the North American game, or whether he'll need a year to learn the ropes in the AHL.

If the 5'11" Komarov does manage to earn a spot on next year's team and proceeds to succeed in his role as a bottom-six type forward, he'll not only earn himself another contract, but he'll give the Leafs some more flexibility next offseason.

This is because his success would allow the team to clear Colby Armstrong's $3 million contract off the books and save some ever-so-valuable salary cap space.

Having won the KHL's championship with the Moscow Dynamo this past season, as well as having been chosen each of the past four years to represent Finland at the World Hockey Championships, Komarov has also picked up some valuable big-game experience, even if it doesn't happen to be of the NHL variety.

So, Leafs Nation, here's to hoping Leo Komarov's game translates well to North American hockey!

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