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.”