Mike Komisarek

Our friend Harani sends along this interactive game to welcome Toronto Maple Leafs' Mike Komisarek back to town. All in good fun, Mike. You were a good soldier with the Canadiens (not that every reader of Inside/Out will agree with me on that).

Mike Komisarek returns to the Bell Centre tonight in the blue and white jersey of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The veteran defenceman expects, shall we say, a spirited greeting from Montreal fans.

"I'm sure it's going to be loud," he said, "but I don't think it's going to be open arms. ... It's not like it's Brett Favre is back in town."

Here's Komisarek interviewed this morning as the Leafs took part in an optional morning skate. Habs Inside/Out thanks CJAD's Mark Shalhoub and, from CKAC, reporter Martin McGuire and producer Frédéric Perron for their generosity; they've shared their audio with HIO, which wasn't on site. Credit where it's due...

Let's show him some love, with a Bob Marley soundtrack ...

We're counting down the days until this coming Thursday when the Canadiens open their 2009-10 season in Toronto against the Maple Leafs. A focal part of that game will be facing former Habs defenceman Mike Komisarek, who signed with the Leafs in July as an unrestricted free agent.

The Hockey News' Ken Campbell sat down with Komisarek during Leafs camp in recent days and has a two-part video interview with him, Part I online now, Part II coming Tuesday. Here's Part I.

At about the 5:40 mark of this clip, Komisarek talks about leaving Montreal, a place for which he has "nothing but great memories," saying he had approached the Canadiens "a couple of years ago" about a new contract but that the Habs chose to wait:

"It was a tough situation at the end," he says. "Obviously we all didn't have as a team the success we wanted to last year. I have nothing but great memories of Montreal, the organization, with Bob Gainey and the fans. A lot of great friendships, it's been a great time there.

"But a couple of years ago, before this whole free agency, I couldn't imagine going somewhere else. We approached the team ... and they never really wanted to ... they wanted to wait. And the longer you wait, you're sitting there, a few weeks from free agency, things just work differently. Things work out sometimes for the better or the worse, but more importantly you're looking forward to new challenges and new opportunities."

Just off the phone with Mike Komisarek, who today signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Komisarek signed a five-year, $22.5-million contract with the Leafs, and in so doing leaves the only NHL club he's known.

"I've played in tough environments, I'm sure it's not going to be easy coming back," Komisarek said of what he'll face from Canadiens fans when the Maple Leafs come to the Bell Centre. "It's the competitive nature of the game (but) it's stuff like that that you don't really worry about."

Matt Keator, Komisarek's agent, said early this evening that negotiations with the Canadiens were "respectful." Komisarek agreed with that assessment.

"I've always looked at Bob (Gainey) in high regard," he said. "I've respected what he's done as a hockey mind. He's had plenty of success. He's always been good to me and I've always appreciated everything they've done for me and the way they've treated me. It's unfortunate that things haven't worked out (with the Canadiens) but it's the business of what we do."

Here's audio of a portion of our conversation.

Mike Komisarek will test the free agent market.

Says Komisarek's agent, Matt Keator, in a statement: "After much discussion and thought, Mike Komisarek has decided to enter the free-agent market tomorrow at noon.

"Should (the Canadiens) desire, we intend to keep Montreal involved in the process, as they have treated Mike so well during his time in the organization. He remains interested in re-signing with them."

Michael Farber of Sports Illustrated weighs in on the market value of Mike Komisarek:

Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester figures to break the bank when he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. So, what about the second-most coveted free-agent defenseman: Montreal's Mike Komisarek?

According to an NHL team executive, his organization initially viewed the right-side blueliner as a $6 million player but downgraded him slightly after his mediocre season. One problem is the rugged Komisarek brings virtually no offense into the equation. He is an upgrade over Scott Hannan, who signed a four-year, $18 million contract with Colorado in 2007, but with the salary cap poised to shrink in 2010-11, Komisarek might be worth closer to $5 million annually.

"It's tough to justify $6 million for a player without any offense (two goals and 11 points in 66 games)," the assistant GM says, "but then it takes only one team."

Pat Hickey reports that Mike Komisarek and Maxim Lapierre got their sticks up at practice today.

The combatants discuss the incident here and here.

More audio: Komisarek  Ryan O'Byrne  Alex Kovalev

So this explains why Mike Komisarek is closing in on a starting-lineup position for the Eastern Conference in the upcoming NHL All-Star Game!

The Canadiens confirm this morning that defenceman Mike Komisarek will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Philadelphia Flyers. He's been out of action for the past 16 games with a shoulder injury suffered in a game against the Bruins in Boston on Nov. 13.

Georges Laraque also returns to the lineup, having missed the past four games. Ben Maxwell was returned to the Hamilton Bulldogs to make room for Komisarek.

Pat Hickey reports there's little news out of this morning's Canadiens practice in Brossard except that defenceman Mike Komisarek won't be on this afternoon's charter to Raleigh, N.C., for Tuesday's game against the Hurricanes.

As expected, Carey Price did not practice. Georges Laraque was on the ice for a short time before he pulled the plug.

The Canadiens return home after tomorrow's game for three in four nights at the Bell Centre heading into the Christmas break: the Flyers on Thursday, Sabres on Saturday and Hurricanes on Sunday.

Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek hollers encouragement to his team, with Andrei Markov (left) and Tomas Plekanec keeping an eye on the ice.
André Ringuette, NHLI via Getty Images

DAVE STUBBS
The Gazette

Scotty Bowman, the most successful coach in NHL history, produced a stunning winning percentage of .743 during his 634 regular-season games behind the Canadiens bench.

But Bowman’s record is positively shabby compared to the 1.000 that’s beside the name of Mike Komisarek this morning.

Disregard Bowman’s five Stanley Cups in this city from 1971-79 and … Scotty who?

“You’ve got to quit while you’re on top, right?” Komisarek said Sunday, laughing, now just 633 games behind Bowman but already contemplating retirement.

It isn’t clear whether the injured Canadiens defenceman was officially an assistant to head coach Guy Carbonneau for Saturday’s 3-2 Bell Centre victory over Buffalo.

But he was behind the bench for three periods and Sunday had little voice to show for his efforts, having hollered himself hoarse. So he gets the benefit of the doubt.

Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek, injured in a fight Thursday in Boston against Milan Lucic, is not just out of action tonight, he won't make the trip to St. Louis tomorrow, Carolina on Tuesday and Ottawa on Thursday.

There is no fracture – it's believed the injury is to Komo's right hand or shoulder –  and Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau said the injury isn't so serious as to believe his star defenceman won't be ready to return next Saturday at home, against Lucic's Bruins on the night the Habs will retire Patrick Roy's No. 33.

Komisarek said after today's morning skate that it was in the TD Banknorth Garden penalty box, after the fight with Lucic, that "there was a problem.

"These things happen when nerves are frayed," he added, expressing no regret for the fight. "We were losing, we weren't playing well and we were very frustrated. That wasn't the last time you'll see me fight. I got into it many times with (Lucic) last season, and I'm sure we'll get into it in the future. It's part of the game."

From Canadiens.com, Mike Komisarek's very hip iPod faves:

It could be a night-before-game-day-decision.

Mike Komisarek hopes that when he talks to the doctor, before Canadiens' team meal this evening, he'll be cleared to play in Game 1 tomorrow night.

"I feel pretty good," Komisarek said. "Feel strong, feel confident."

Game shape?

"That's for me to know and for you to find out," Komisarek cagily replied. "I've been working hard on and off the ice, giving feedback to the doctor and letting him know how I feel."

If he were a betting man ... 

"It's tough to say," Komisarek said. "I know what I want to be doing."

 •  •  •

Komisarek things being sequestered in a hotel tonight is a good idea. Since clinching a playoff spot, players have focused on getting proper rest and nutrition.

"Any little thing you can do to clear your mind and get your focus on the game," Komisarek said. "Get everything geared up for the playoffs.

"As much as I like sleeping at home, I like a nice made-up hotel bed, having the maid come in. It's like being on the road. No distractions, and it can only help us."

•  •  •

It's the phrase usually appplied to game effort.

When Komisarek was asked if he were leaving any pets behind when he joins teammates at the hotel tonight, he said he'd always wanted a dog "but it's tough for a single guy."

"It's almost llike a kid," he said. "If I'm ready to have a kid, I want to make sure I'm giving it 110 per cent attention and love and care." 

We won't know the status of defenceman Mike Komisarek for Saturday's Bell Centre game against the Boston Bruins until tomorrow morning, at least.

Komisarek left Thursday's 4-2 Montreal victory in Boston after just four shifts and 2:45 of playing time with a lower-body injury, seemingly his lower back.

He'll see team doctors Saturday morning, at which time a decision on his status for the game is likely to be determined.

Look for Carey Price to be back in nets after his stellar, 34-save effort against Boston on Thursday. 

Canadiens' Mike Komisarek rocks Sabres' Jason Pominville behind the net at Bell Centre this month.

Allen McInnis, The Gazette 

The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes today that Habs defenceman Mike Komisarek wanted to take on a bigger leadership role this season and he has done just that up to this point.

Komisarek has also established himself as a physical force along the blue line. His 61 body checks tie him for the NHL lead with Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings. Komisarek has also blocked 56 shots, second only to Ottawa's Anton Volchenkov.

"Komo's been awesome," head coach Guy Carbonneau said. "He's really taken a leadership role. He's in his third year now (as a regular) and he's a big part of our club."