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drummond said:I do not want to draw any conclusion based on 7 games he has played so far this season, but with exception of some good hits I have not seen anything which would warrant even half of that contract he was given. I am still hoping the real Clarkson somehow shows up, because if not, the Leafs are stuck with unmovable albatros contract.
Obviously if I?m playing in a shutdown role, I?m obviously not going to [score]. It?s common sense, right?
AvroArrow said:Obviously if I?m playing in a shutdown role, I?m obviously not going to [score]. It?s common sense, right?
Bolland seemed to be able to score just fine...
I haven't seen all the games lately, but I'm unimpressed with Clarkson, so far.
mr grieves said:AvroArrow said:Obviously if I?m playing in a shutdown role, I?m obviously not going to [score]. It?s common sense, right?
Bolland seemed to be able to score just fine...
I haven't seen all the games lately, but I'm unimpressed with Clarkson, so far.
Well, Bolland does seem to be a better player, but he's also had a few things going in his favor that Clarkson hasn't, like some decent power play time. All the same, I wouldn't take one guy's 15 game hot streak and another's 7 game cold streak to mean all that much.
mr grieves said:AvroArrow said:Obviously if I?m playing in a shutdown role, I?m obviously not going to [score]. It?s common sense, right?
Bolland seemed to be able to score just fine...
I haven't seen all the games lately, but I'm unimpressed with Clarkson, so far.
Well, Bolland does seem to be a better player, but he's also had a few things going in his favor that Clarkson hasn't, like some decent power play time. All the same, I wouldn't take one guy's 15 game hot streak and another's 7 game cold streak to mean all that much.
princedpw said:Well, lots people called it a disasterous contract the second it was signed. The biggest problem I see is that it is going to eliminate the opportunity to improve in the future, unless there is a truly dramatic rise in the cap. I'd rather spend the money overpaying at a position of greater need -- a top center or top defenseman -- even if it meant being a little worse in the short term.
Potvin29 said:princedpw said:Well, lots people called it a disasterous contract the second it was signed. The biggest problem I see is that it is going to eliminate the opportunity to improve in the future, unless there is a truly dramatic rise in the cap. I'd rather spend the money overpaying at a position of greater need -- a top center or top defenseman -- even if it meant being a little worse in the short term.
And if you're going to stifle one's production with defensive minutes despite a big contract, wouldn't it have made more sense to continue to do that with Grabovski who can play C?
I don't even dislike Clarkson that much if I don't think about the contract, but it's impossible not to.
A Weekend at Bernier's said:The writing was on the wall for a poor start by Clarkson. Leaving aside the suspension, it's obvious that signing in Toronto was a big deal for him, especially emotionally. Excuse the cliche, but he's squeezing the stick really tightly. But aside from a bad bounce or two, I think he's better than advertised. As Corn Flake has correctly pointed out, the guy has a really soft pair of hands. He is terrific on the forecheck and takes the body. He brings a really unique element to the Leafs and I think once thigns start to click there will be no looking back.
All of the contract talk, 16 minbutes a night and critique of 9 points in his last 41 games (or whatever it is) way, way premature. Let him fit into the system, get acquainted with the team and the coach. He's going to be fine.
Corn Flake said:If Clarkson was the first UFA to have an awkward first season upon changing teams, then I would be concerned.
Highlander said:With the reports on TV and merchandise sales I would think it is impossible to think the cap will not rise dramatically in the next few years, probably around 90 million. Clarkson's a good player and will come through when we need him most.
L K said:mr grieves said:AvroArrow said:Obviously if I?m playing in a shutdown role, I?m obviously not going to [score]. It?s common sense, right?
Bolland seemed to be able to score just fine...
I haven't seen all the games lately, but I'm unimpressed with Clarkson, so far.
Well, Bolland does seem to be a better player, but he's also had a few things going in his favor that Clarkson hasn't, like some decent power play time. All the same, I wouldn't take one guy's 15 game hot streak and another's 7 game cold streak to mean all that much.
Except that's not true at all. Clarkson is getting 1:48 in PP-TOI/game meanwhile Bolland is getting 0:58. Bolland has played less than a minute more of cumulative PP time at this point in the year.
Deebo said:Highlander said:With the reports on TV and merchandise sales I would think it is impossible to think the cap will not rise dramatically in the next few years, probably around 90 million. Clarkson's a good player and will come through when we need him most.
Bettman said today that he foresees a record year in terms of revenues.
L K said:Next year they have 43.1M in cap commitment so far.
That roster would be:
Kessel (8.) - Kadri (2.9) - JVR (4.25)
Lupul (5.25) - Bozak (4.2) - Clarkson (5.25)
Orr (0.925) - ******* - McLaren (0.7)
******* - ******* - *******
*******
Liles (3.875) - Gunnarsson (3.15)
Rielly (0.895) - *******
******* - *******
*******
Bernier (2.9)
*******
RFA: Reimer, Franson, Gardiner, Ashton
UFA: Phaneuf, Bolland, Kulemin, McLement, Raymond, Bodie, Smithson, Fraser, Ranger
Of those RFA/UFAs, if the Leafs brought them all back at the same salary the Leafs would sit with approximately a 65 million dollar cap roster. The current cap is 64.3M so let's just say hypothetically that it jumps to 70 million next year, that would give the Leafs with less than 5 million to augment the contracts of Reimer, Franson, McLement, Gardiner and Raymond.
I can see the argument that Kulemin gets a similar contract to his 2.8 million. I'll buy Phaneuf at 6.5 (although I think he's going to cost more) but those other guys are in for raises.
Reimer at least is going to be pretty darn close to Bernier's 2.9M, so that is an extra 1.1M on the cap.
McLement based on other PK/faceoff specialists would be sitting in the Boyd Gordon territory and could range anywhere from 2-3.5M, so you either add an extra 500-1M or let him walk.
Raymond is worth double his 1M salary at least, so again 1-1.5M at mininum.
Gardiner maybe you get away with 500K increase to 1.5M or so.
Maybe the Leafs get creative and find ways to unload Liles contract, but having 5.25M guys who score like Colby Armstrong is not how you build a cup contender.