David Clarkson
- Thread starter mjmgrand
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Kin
New member
Potvin29 said:
The "so what" of that narrative whenever it exists(Player takes X less to sign elsewhere for whatever reason) isn't going to take into account buyout ramifications if the player ends up playing terribly. And why would it? All it's about is the idea that more money elsewhere mattered less than whatever reason chose to play in Toronto. It's not about a player qualifying for Sainthood and if it wasn't a "good deal" then the Leafs shouldn't have offered it.
bustaheims
Active member
OldTimeHockey said:
Sure, but, unless they're really really excellent at what they do, they'll still be easily replaced by guys making $1M or less. So, when they get to that point, you either trade them or let them walk. The point is not to waste cap space on easily replaceable players.
bustaheims
Active member
Bullfrog said:
Well, potentially Raymond, if one of the guys one the Marlies can put up quality production that the NHL level. I don't expect it, but, it's not outside the realm of possibilities.
Highlander
Active member
Clarkson is not going anywhere anytime soon. I think he will improve for sure.
Coco-puffs
New member
Highlander said:
Well, he can't really play that much worse than he has this season AND he's got the worst "luck" of any regular forward on the team (his 5on5 On Ice Sh% is 5.8%- even McClement, Orr, Ashton, have higher percentages and they have spent much more time on the 4th line).
His own Sh% is 5.43, a career low. It doesn't help that he only has 88 shots in 55 games this season, a career low Shots/Game.
My opinion of him is, he needs people to play with that know how to cycle the puck and forecheck as a unit. Last season with the Devil's he had a 5on5 CorsiFor of 61.2%. His line mates were superior to his current ones, but that number is not so high only because of his line mates. I loved watching him play because he forechecked like a madman and was a pain in the ass for the opposition defence. He would be taking the body, and his line mates would be right beside him helping to keeping possession. This season, he's working pretty hard trying to harass the defensemen- but he has no puck support. His linemates are expecting him to do it all down low- take the defencemen out and get the puck and make a good play. Often, he's trying to do this against two opposition players because most teams in the league know what puck support means.
Don't take this as an excuse for his play being as poor as it has been. I'm disappointed in it too. I also think his contract was for too much money and too long of a term. But we are pretty much stuck with it at this point. A buyout makes no sense (sorry, to buy him out and play a Marlie for the next 6 seasons doesn't make sense to me). A trade where we retain salary is a possibility down the road.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Coco-puffs said:
He's also had a terrible zone start ratio, so they're tougher minutes too. And he's not getting anywhere even close to the PP time he had in NJ.
The issue is more than just his play, but when he was signed the Leafs were already really strong at the wing position so it becomes an issue of where does he play? With the amount you're paying him he should probably be a winger on the 2nd line, but can he play good enough to be that player? Who knows now, as I doubt he's going to improve with age, but he could probably improve upon this season at least. Maybe next season it becomes Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson.
Coco-puffs
New member
Potvin29 said:
I agree with what you said... he's on the fine line of being a useful 2nd line winger and his ability in that role won't improve with age. His last two season in NJ showed he can certainly be on a good 2nd line. This season, definitely not. Let's hope this year is an aberration.
However, I don't think Kadri is a good centerman for those two wingers. They aren't great defensively and neither is Kadri most of the time. As much as Kadri's skill is tantalizing at times, he doesn't compete enough shift to shift. Even at his best, he's only average defensively. Bolland is a much better fit IMO, even Holland might fit better than Kadri. I'm probably one of the few here that think Kadri needs to be traded before his stock drops further thanks to his inconsistent play.
Redleaf
Active member
I think David Clarkson's year is indicative of a player getting a huge contract with a flagship team, which happens to also be his hometown, and letting all the hype go straight to his head. His play this season, or rather his lack of it, has been all 'between the ears'.
That's not to say he'll completely overcome it by the beginning of next year, but you'd have to think the initial shock should be worn off by then. Perhaps a different coach and a season under his belt will settle him down, and get him to realize that he doesn't need to be a savior to this franchise, just a consistent producer.
We as fans are going to have to find a way to be ok with him. Let's just hope he can find a way to improve. Because, there's no way a buyout is going to fly this soon after that contract was handed out. Not a chance.
That's not to say he'll completely overcome it by the beginning of next year, but you'd have to think the initial shock should be worn off by then. Perhaps a different coach and a season under his belt will settle him down, and get him to realize that he doesn't need to be a savior to this franchise, just a consistent producer.
We as fans are going to have to find a way to be ok with him. Let's just hope he can find a way to improve. Because, there's no way a buyout is going to fly this soon after that contract was handed out. Not a chance.
Coco-puffs said:
I agree right now Kadri needs more Kulemin type wingers to play with and that those two aren't optimal however I think a little patience is required with young skilled players, I mean, it's not like the Leafs have a lot of that in the pipeline, especially at centre.
Fwiw, you could make an argument that a lot of Leafs were poor in the puck battle/competitive category, Kadri didn't stick out from that pack to me.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Coco-puffs said:
Kadri's fine. His production is pretty darn good for a 23 year old. Also, because I just saw it referenced on twitter, he's one of the best in the league at drawing penalties.
RedLeaf said:
I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but how often, if ever, has this happened?
Has a prominent free agent signing ever gone from close to 20 goals to 5 the next season? And then factor in this hometown scenario. Even Briere managed to get to 13 goals in Montreal... off the top of my head.
I'm honestly asking.
bustaheims
Active member
Joe S. said:
The only UFA I can come up with that rebounded after a bad 1st year on a big contract is Handzus, but, he had a much stronger track record to fall back on than Clarkson does.
RedLeaf said:
IMO, I honestly think if he played the first ten games of the season, the result would be different. But that is probably only me. I am not happy with is play at all this season. But there have been a few glinches of him playing really the way I expected him to.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Potvin29 said:
And to quote myself, here's why that could be a bad idea:
http://theleafsnation.com/2014/4/3/he-fights-he-scores-goals-he-fights-he-s-a-drain-on-the-salary-cap