Don’t Read Anything into Leo Komarov Being Placed on Waivers

Monday night Leo Komarov was on the New York Islanders top line and now he’s on waivers, but don’t read to much into the move made on Tuesday.

Komarov was placed on waivers by the Isles, according to Chris Johnston, after appearing in the team’s last two games on the top line. The move is likely not an indictment of how Komarov has played or an indication of any pending moves by the Islanders, rather a procedural activity they must go through every 30 days.

Komarov must pass through waivers every 30 days in order for the Islanders to freely move him between the active NHL roster and the taxi squad. And the odds of another team picking Komarov up off waivers remains slim considering the $3 million cap hit he carries.

Uncle Leo, as he is affectionately referred to by the fans, played 12:09 on Monday in the Islanders overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers, which included 1:42 on the penalty kill. Through 16 appearances, Komarov has just two points — both assists — and he has recorded more than 20 points with the Islanders just once in the three seasons he has been on Long Island.

Komarov is in the third year of a four-year, $12 million contract he signed with the Islanders back in 2018.