Leo Komarov on the KHL and his playing style

I wanted to come here even last year. We agreed with [Dynamo’s coach] Oleg Znarok that I would spend another year in Moscow. And we won the Cup. My contract with Dynamo is good for another year but they let me go.

I think it’s more of a speculation rather than an actual thing. Of course, I think Dynamo would take me back. However, I will do my best to crack the lineup over here. If I won’t, I will think about it.

No. So far it’s not on my agenda.

I have. I wouldn’t say I watched every single game, but I followed them to certain extent.

I think they write a lot of lies about me in Russia. They say I’m an instigator and stuff like that. I think I’m simply a power forward. Perhaps, other players don’t like the way I play, but during my 3 seasons in the KHL I didn’t injury anybody or anything like that. I think, I’m going to play here in the same manner. I’m going to bump into people, fight against the boards and do everything I can for my team to win.

Sure, I’m unpleasant to play against. But how many penalty minutes did I have in the final series? 10-12 minutes tops. I’d say it’s alright.

Of course, I like when people write about me but I don’t want to look like Sean Avery. I’m not that kind of player. I’m like that, sure, but I can play differently too.

Honestly, I liked it. My favorite sign was the one that had Fumitox on it (Fumitox is a brand of mosquito spray in Russia). It was like ‘Fumitox will deal with Komarov’ (‘Komar’ means ‘mosquito’ in Russian). That was pretty funny. As I said – I like it when people pay attention to me. If they do, it means you must have done something well. I mean, I don’t like it when people say bad things about me and call me names. But we won the Cup. It’s all that matters. 

I don’t. I mean, I wasn’t the worst player out there. I’m glad it turned out the way it did. In the series against Minsk I was playing being sick with fever. I played even though I could barely stand on the ice! I had zero points in 4 games. With Torpedo I had zero points in the first 2 games. Then I slowly started getting points. Not a lot of points, but still. And then in the final I had 2 goals in the first 2 games. And then I picked up my game. I was just trying to do something I know I’m capable of.

I wouldn’t say so. I mean, sure, they did get a few minor penalties on me but I wouldn’t call it the main reason for this differential. A lot of moments get decide the outcome of a game. I think we won because we were down in the series 1:3 and we played every game as if it was the last game for us. I think mentally-wise it was easier for us. Because we knew if we’d lose another game, the season is over for us. Avangard was in a different position – they just had to win another game. We tied the series and then we got a little lucky. Game 7 could have gone either way. We had a 5-on-3 powerplay and didn’t score. I thought back then: ‘Well, that’s it. We blew our chance’. Because if you survive a 3-on-5, you get psychological advantage. We were lucky [Jakub] Klepis banked one in.

Well, of course, I’m not happy about it. I read a few times what people think about this but I don’t even want to comment on it. What can I say? Even if it’s true, I know nothing about it. We just went out there and played. And we won.

Yes, this did happen. Some guy just grabbed the stick from the kid and tossed it away. I’m sad the kid didn’t get the stick.

I didn’t expect something quite like this to happen. A present like this is dear to any kid who’s into hockey. If I were him, I’d be happy to get anyone’s stick. It’s a great thing! You’d cherish it forever! I mean, it may not be a great gift because it’s Komarov’s stick but still. A hockey stick is a hockey stick.

I had one, yes. I collect a lot of sticks, actually. I asked for hockey sticks everyone I play with.

No, I’m used to this. I played for 3 years for Pelicans and Dynamo. Hopefully, I came here for more than 1 year. It’s interesting. I need to live here and get more used to the local lifestyle, practice my English a little more and then we’ll see.

3^rd or 4^th, I guess. It’s hard to tell, really. Of course, I’d love to play on the first line but it’s going to be difficult for me to get there. It’s not even my goal at this point. There’re going to be much better player than me up there. I’d like to make the team first. I want to be useful for my team. I’ll do whatever my coach tells me.

I’m worried about it, yes. I have to work hard. I have about 2 or 3 months to get ready. If that’s what they’re going to do, fine. I can’t really control it. I do hope to make it to the NHL, though.

I don’t know. I felt comfortable in Moscow. Nobody bothered me out there. Maybe I’ll like it when everybody follows you around. So far I don’t know this. It may be good and may be bad. I like to be surrounded by a lot of fans, though.

Yeah, I heard about it. But then again I haven’t proven anything here yet. We’ll see how the season goes.

A little bit, yes. But I don’t use too much. A buddy of mine told me about it and I registered on it, but I hardly ever use it.

I don’t like it. I like Facebook more. And VK.com.

I was thinking about it. You know, I played at 4 World Championships already. I think, the coaching stuff knows me pretty well by now. I’m always ready to go and play for my country if I can. I like participate in international games. But I’m the one who decides this, it’s the coach.

I can’t point out just one person, really. There were a lot of people who told me what to do and gave me advice. Everybody chipped in.

Oleg really helped me in the past 2 seasons. I became a much better player. Of course, I felt sad that I had to leave, because we had a great group of guys and the coach was just terrific. We talked it over with Oleg. There were no problems. Maybe one day I’ll come back. Who knows?

It’s not like it was me who had to decide. They just didn’t want to see me here. They showed some interest only last season but I decided to stay. And we won the Cup. I don’t have anything to win there anymore. Sure, everything was good in Russia for me but I still dreamed of making it to the NHL. Maple Leafs are a great hockey club. And I like the city. I have a chance to play here and this is why I came over.