SOCHI, Russia – Leo Komarovs KHL club had one flight this season of the marathon variety, precisely the kind of tiresome experience that has the former Leaf winger reconsidering his career status. Cheap Jerseys USA . “It took us 12 hours or something,” he said of the near 10,000 kilometre flight from Moscow to Vladivostok, quick to mention the one stop required to refuel along the way. It may not be in Toronto, but Komarov seems to have his sights set on a return to the NHL next season. The 27-year-old had his first (and long-desired) taste of the league in 2013 – calling it “probably the best time of my life” – before returning to Dynamo of the KHL last summer for reasons both financial and otherwise. “I want to get back,” Komarov said of the NHL. “Its a big goal for me for next season. [But] Im going to see how its going to work out. Dynamo is playing pretty good right now so its like everything is good there too, but I really enjoyed it in Toronto. It was really good.” Komarov played in 42 games with the Leafs and was the pesky, agitating force the organization hoped hed become when they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. But with the lure of a hefty one-year contract in Moscow and more opportunity ahead of the Olympics this winter, Komarov chose to leave Toronto after just one season. “No hard feelings against Toronto,” he said. “I really enjoyed it. Everything was good, but Dynamo gave me a really good offer.” More money than a cap-strapped Leafs brass was prepared or even able to pay this past summer. But just as important as the dollars gained by returning to Russia was the chance to play big minutes with a powerhouse squad in Dynamo. And with keen hopes of representing Finland for the first time on the Olympic stage here in Sochi, Komarov wanted to ensure his best was on display as often as possible. “I need to play a lot to make this team for Olympics and I knew Im going to get a lot of ice-time in Dynamo,” said Komarov following practice with a trimmed down Finnish Olympic squad, NHL players yet to arrive on this day. “You go in the NHL and play on the fourth line – five, six minutes – its hard. I wanted to make 100 per cent sure that Im going to make the team. “Maybe the contract situation was a little bit [a reason] too. It was a hard decision, like I want to play in NHL, but what happened happened.” Though he is quite at home in the KHL, where hes played for four seasons now, Komarov certainly enjoyed the upgrade in lifestyle associated with the NHL. From the lavish hotels to comfortable charter planes to do-it-all training staffs to visits in New York, Montreal and Boston, the NHL just has more to offer than the league in Russia, up-and-coming as it is. “Its like the best thing that can happen to a hockey player to be there,” said Komarov of playing in the NHL, remaining in touch with current Leafs Phil Kessel, Frazer McLaren, Tyler Bozak and Nikolai Kulemin. “Its so nice.” Toronto was also a more desirable resting place for his Finnish girlfriend. Unlike Komarov, who speaks four languages including Russian, Swedish and Finnish, his better half has nothing to fall back on as far as communication is concerned, this in a place where English is rarely spoken or understood. “She liked Toronto really much, did whatever she wanted by herself there, but in Moscow she always needs me around,” said Komarov, noting the challenge of simply traveling around the city without knowing the Russian language. An unrestricted free agent this summer, Komarov is open to returning to the Leafs and the city of Toronto, but he appears more focused on simply getting back into the NHL however possible. Yet to receive any offers he remains hopeful about his prospects with a fallback plan of good money and opportunity in the KHL. “Theyve got good money in KHL, but its not all about the money either,” he said. “NHL is the best league you can play in.” Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys . The above paragraph could be rewritten, verbatim, with Marcus Stromans name in place of Romeros. After both men had disastrous outings in Tuesdays 18-4 mauling at the hands of the Tigers, its clear that neither is the best option to begin the season in Toronto. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys . Go to turbozone.ca to see more of his epic work and you can follow him on twitter (@Turbo_Zone). Gaurav Shastri - A tribute to the amazing fan base who stand outside during games at "Jurassic Park" and an unbelievable shot of Paul Pierce fearing a Raptor. http://www.cheapchinajerseysnfls.com/ . "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit.BOSTON - The St. Louis Cardinals have a problem on their hands. Its not how poorly they played in the World Series opener or whether theyre able to bounce back with a better performance on Thursday night. It appears, after a cold spell, David Ortiz is heating up. "Big Papi," as hes affectionately known in these parts, has had an up and down fall. After torching the Tampa Bay Rays in the Division Series to the tune of .385/.556/.923, two home runs, a double and three RBI, Ortiz slumped in the ALCS. Tigers pitching held him to just two hits and a .091/.200/.227 slash line. Its easy to forget Ortiz struggled against Detroit because one of his two hits was an eighth inning grand slam in Game 2 that erased a 5-1 deficit, propelled the Red Sox to a series-evening victory and may well have saved Bostons chances of advancing. The other was a dunk single to left field in Game 5. The mantra of good teams is when one player is struggling; another guy - or guys - picks him up. Dustin Pedroia has been finding ways to get on base. Mike Napoli has been hot since his home run off Justin Verlander in Game Three of the ALCS. Ortiz seemed to break out on Wednesday night. He was robbed of a second inning grand slam by Carlos Beltran but later singled and, in the eighth inning, hit a two-run home run he made sure cleared the right centerfield fence. If not for Beltrans great catch, Ortiz would have had a two home run, three hit, six RBI night. To this point in the playoffs, not that its deterred them; the Red Sox havent had Pedroia, Ortiz and Napoli hitting well at the same time. If last nights performance is an indicator of whats to come, Boston is in good shape. "Im very encouraged, particularly with what Mike Napoli has done since probably Game 3 of the ALCS," said Farrell. Nike NFL Jerseys China. . "Probably each guy has the ability to carry us. And the fact that we can get the middle of the order going like that - we still have other guys we need to get going." St. Louis, on the other hand, has non-performance related issues in the middle of its order. An injury and a recovery have put two key players in difficult positions. Beltran was injured making the catch on Ortizs would-be grand slam. He left the game and went to hospital for tests. A CT scan and an X-ray showed no fractures and he will attempt to play through a deeply bruised right side of his ribcage. Its hard to imagine Beltran wont be compromised by the injury. Meantime, Allen Craig will be the Cardinals designated hitter again in Game 2. He returned last night, having not played since September 4 due to a sprained foot. Craig had a single in four at-bats and is being asked to quickly find his offensive timing with so little time left in the season. Farrells starting lineup will suffer with the deletion of either Ortiz or Napoli under National League rules. It appears Ortiz will get the Game 3 start at first base, relegating Napoli to a pinch hit role. The Cardinals dont have a left-handed starting pitcher so Ortiz could get all the starts at Busch Stadium. Napolis degenerative hip condition prevents him from returning to catcher, a position which hes played for most of his career. "The one outside view might be to put Mike Napoli behind the plate but we wouldnt do that," said Farrell. "One or the other is going to sit, unfortunately." ' ' '