Mar 23; Newark, NJ, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs players celebrate a game winning goal by center Nazem Kadri (43) in the overtime shootout against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Leo Komarov is expected to fly in from Russia and will participate in the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp when it gets underway. Komarov had been playing with the Toronto Marlies earlier this year with aspirations of making the NHL, but when it became evident the lockout was going to drag on much longer than anticipated, he decided to return to Europe and play in the KHL.

The Leaf prospect was taken in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Draft, but other than a brief stint with the Marlies earlier this season, he has mainly played with Moscow Dynamo of the KHL. Komarov figures to put up a strong fight to earn a spot with the Maple Leafs in 2013. While with the Marlies he was a plus-7 and proved to be a solid two-way player, so a position on the Leafs’ checking line is a realistic possibility.

Komarov had six goals and nine points in 14 games with the Marlies before deciding to head back overseas. Once he arrived with Moscow Dynamo he had ten points in 13 games to go along with 42 PIM.

If Komarov doesn’t crack the squad he could go back to the KHL, or decide to stick with the Marlies in hopes of being called up. The Marlies would surely welcome his return as they figure to lose several players to the Leafs by the time the NHL season kicks off.

Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manger Brian Burke has not fallen on hard times, he did take to the streets of Toronto Thursday night though to sleep outside and raise awareness for homeless youth. Burke was joined by 52 other individuals including police Chief Bill Blair and Arlene Dickinson from Dragon’s Den. Covenant House ran the event and those who participated slept outside in the parking lot of their youth shelter.

Burke spoke to the media Friday morning and indicated this was a cause he felt very passionate about. He was also sporting a sweet Movember stache that may have kept him a little warmer while he spent the night outside.

In other Leafs news, Toronto Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins spoke to the media as well Thursday on the status of 25-year-old winger Leo Komarov. After 11 games with the Marlies this season, Komarov wants to head back overseas and play in the KHL. A 2006 Leafs draft pick, Komarov’s goal was to head to North America this summer and pursue an NHL career after playing the last six seasons in Europe.

Due to the lockout, Komarov was relegated to playing for the Marlies. He sits tied in scoring with Jake Gardiner as both lead the team with five goals each. Komarov is looking at joining Dynamo Moscow where he won a KHL championship last season, but he wants to return when the lockout ends in hopes of playing in the NHL.