Jun 30 Mike Komisarek now a Leaf, Habs Never in Running

When it was announced by Komisarek's agent, Matt Keater, that they would test the market come July 1st, but that they would still like to keep the Canadiens in the loop, did anyone buy what they were selling? Not me.

Komisarek, who only spoke via his agent, having reportedly long left Montreal with all his possessions merely days after the Habs played their last game of the 2008-09 playoffs, said that he would still like to sign with Montreal. Sounded good when you read it in an article but did the Habs ever have a chance at re-signing Komisarek?

Reportedly, Montreal had offered Big Mike $4 Million for 5 years. He ended up signing in Toronto for merely $500,000 more per year, same term.

Now, I was not present during the conversations, but I am wondering if there was even a counter offer on Komisarek's part and if so, wouldn't an extra year added to the term more than make up for the difference in total money? Especially if you front load it?

Why did Komisarek not re-sign with Montreal? I'll list the possible reasons, you can talk amongst yourselves.

- Maybe the Canadiens informed him their initial offer, regardless of dollars and terms, was non negotiable

- Maybe The Canadiens offer was no where near what Toronto was willing to offer. It is said that Komisarek's contract also included a limited no-movement clause. Did the Habs offer as much and were they perhaps reluctant to offer a no-movement clause?

- Maybe the Habs tried to lowball Komisarek, given his sub par season that saw him play as a shadow of his former self, culminating in a mid season fight, which he lost, against the Bruins' Milan Lucic that Komi never really recovered from, both physically and mentally.

- Maybe Mike, who has often been openly critical (yet always with a touch of tongue in cheek) of the media during scrums, got tired of having to deal with the French AND English journalists that continuously look for something to support their pre-conceived angles or tangents. Well, at least in Toronto, he's narrowed it down to one language.

And maybe, just maybe, Komisarek, who along with about 9 other UFA'S on the Habs' squad this year, was slightly miffed at the Bob Gainey policy of not wanting to discuss contracts during the regular season. This has been a sore spot for many agents who have to deal with the Habs and Gainey and perhaps Komisarek and/or Keater wanted to send a message?

Did I miss anything? 

pic by David Sandford

Tags: habs \ Montreal Canadiens \ NHL \ signing \ signs \ Toronto Mapleleafs \ UFA \ Unfrestricted Free Agent