Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images
Excerpts from a great article by Sean Gordon of Globesports.com:
These are all-star numbers? One goal and four assists in 30 games?
As it turns out, yes.
But as Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Komisarek demonstrates, sometimes a hockey player’s worth can’t be measured merely by points or statistics.
When the strapping Long Island-born behemoth is in the lineup, the Canadiens are 20-7-3. During a 16-game absence earlier this NHL season, after Komisarek blew out his shoulder in a fight with Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins, the team was 7-6-3.
Komisarek’s absence may not be the only factor in explaining the disparity, but it’s a big one.
When the hard-hitting, shot-blocking defenceman is in the lineup — and it’s worth mentioning he’s close to the league lead in both categories — the Canadiens are simply a different team.
So those who might be tempted to compare Komisarek’s selection to the Eastern Conference all-star team’s starting lineup to the near-miss involving a fan vote to select former Canucks journeyman Rory Fitzpatrick to the 2007 game, can think again.
“He’s a big part of our team, he means so much to us,” Habs blueliner Josh Gorges said. “His physical presence, he may not get a lot of points, but he does a lot of other things, he makes hits that change the momentum of games, he blocks shots, things that as a teammate you notice on the bench and gets you motivated. He’s a great team guy, he’s a good leader. … When he’s in the lineup, we’re just a better team.”
Komisarek has been stifled in Montreal, I think. He has the offensive skill to play on the PP, and if he did no one would be surprised when he made the All Star team. If Zdeno Chara can become a point man on the power play, Mike certainly could. His shot is just as good, and he is a better puck handler.
But it is a succession of runts who can’t play defence who line up opposite Andrei Markov on the point. Brisebois, Streit, Dandeneault, Bouillon, etc. etc. Half of them don’t belong in the NHL, much less on the first team power play.
I’m not sure he has as good a shot as Zdeno Chara, but he does handle the puck better and probably is better at the first outlet pass.
It would be nice to see what Komy could do if he were given more PP time. What does Carbo have to lose in the process!!!
Komisarek might not have the power in his slap shot of Chara or Souray, but he has a much better wrist shot than either. His wrister is as hard as most players slapshots.
Good post rob. I agree that Carbo has overused (and overpraised) duds without giving Komisarek a chance.
Komisarek did well in the hardest shot competition. He beat out media favorites Lecavalier and Streit tonight.
Streit certainly belongs on a first unit powerplay, Rob.
The other three definitely don’t.
In watching the young stars 3 on 3″game”, I was just praying Price would get out of the mini game unscathed.
It was very obvious in watching Carey play that he didn’t want to over extend himself, especially with his lateral movement.He probably kept hearing Carbo’s voice in his head throughout the game or from the bench area….LOL!!!
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