Leafs' Komarov rejects Panthers' Barkov's invite to contract presser
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov and Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov share similar backgrounds; both have Russian parents but were raised in Finland as a result of their fathers' hockey careers.
It makes sense, then, that Barkov and Komarov would be fast friends. But when Barkov invited Komarov to attend a press conference announcing a reported six-year, $35 million contract extension with the Panthers, Barkov experienced the bitter taste of rejection.
@KevinSpacey thanks 4 the good luck I'm in for 6 more years noon presser tomorrow @LKomarov your invited...Thanks @FlaPanthers @Dougielarge
— Aleksander Barkov (@Barkovsasha95) January 25, 2016
@Barkovsasha95 @KevinSpacey can't make it i will congratulate you komarov style 2morrow, congrats buddy? #headsup #seeyouinmyhockeyschool
— Leo Komarov (@LKomarov) January 25, 2016
Komarov and the Leafs, of course, were in town ahead of their game against the Panthers Tuesday night. It's unclear what congratulating someone "Komarov-style" means, but the game clearly did not go as Komarov had hoped as the Leafs lost to the Panthers, 5-1, and Komarov failed to record a point.
Barkov, on the other hand, got the scoring started for the Panthers Tuesday when he scored on the power play in the second period to tie the game, 1-1, at the time.
Arielle Aronson writes about the NHL for FOX Sports. You can follow her on Twitter @aharonson28.
