David Clarkson
- Thread starter mjmgrand
- Start date
Another no show last night. And the argument that the whole team is struggling doesn't warrant the fact that this guy signed a monster contract, has 2 goals and 3 bogus assists in 17 games not to mention a boneheaded 10 game suspension. A quarter season in and this has "Gomez" written all over it.
Why Nonis, why?
Why Nonis, why?
mr grieves
New member
mc said:
Fixed.
I don't know. He's here for a while. Maybe he gets over playing for the hometown team stuff and settles down, becomes more useful.
I thought he looked like an effective 3rd liner when he first came in and was playing more of a defensive role with Bolland/McClement. The offence wasn't there and he was still overpaid, but he was doing a lot of good things. Now that he's playing in a top-6 though he really has looked pretty useless.
Chev-boyar-sky
New member
mc said:
Well let's give the guy some time to see what he can do here. He's not the first guy to sign a big contract and have an off year in his first year.
I agree he's leaving a lot to be desired, but I think once he's had some more time with his linemates the production will improve. Probably not to the point of being worth 5M but at least closer to it.
Gomez was one of the highest paid C in the league when he signed his contract and never produced anywhere near that. Clarkson is 17 games into a 7 year deal that sees him being paid less than Lucic and slightly more than some comparable players. He's still overpaid but he can still make good on his contract.
Than God we didn't sign Ryan Clowe instead.
Strangelove
New member
The problem with Clarkson is that he doesn't really have the ability to do much better than he is right now. He's a tough guy who can chip in odd points but has no business playing in an offensive role because he has no idea how to create offense for himself or his teammates. Mainly he finishes he check and does his best to fire the puck toward the net, usually resulting in giveaways.
Quite honestly he has the skill-set of someone who should be paid half his salary logging 13 minutes on the third line. He is a poor man's Darcy Tucker.
Which is why Randy Carlyle will undoubtedly play him in a top six role the rest of the year.
Quite honestly he has the skill-set of someone who should be paid half his salary logging 13 minutes on the third line. He is a poor man's Darcy Tucker.
Which is why Randy Carlyle will undoubtedly play him in a top six role the rest of the year.
hockeyfan1
New member
TML fan said:
That is exactly what I'm coming to expect from Clarkson. He'll benefit with a more aggressive offensive style.
Britishbulldog
Active member
Strangelove said:
I agree with all of that and feel you gave a very unbiased assessment. Clarkson is a middleweight fighter and should be compared to Tucker and Kulemin money and playing 3rd line RW.
As someone else mentioned, in a few years his $5.25 a year salary won't hurt very bad with the cap going up but Carlyle needs to play him in a role that he can succeed in.
Clarkson isn't the answer to Lucic and doesn't resemble Clark as Clarkson was irrationally hyped up to be. Clark fought the Lucic's of the day (Probert) as well as the all the goons.
This is not Clarkson:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7XgYSoK1go[/youtube]
J
Jalili
Guest
mc said:
It seems that, generally speaking, as players get older the first thing to go is their legs. So a player whose bread and butter is speed and athleticism, is probably not going to be favourably affected by age unless they're able to adapt. See: Scott Gomez
Average to below average sized guys who play a rugged style also don't seem to hold up well either. See: Chris Drury, Brenden Morrow
At the other end, the guy who relies more on his intelligence probably doesn't decline as quickly. Ray Whitney is an interesting example of defying age despite falling under the radar for years.
Where Clarkson fits in all of that, I'm not too sure yet.
moon111
New member
IMHO, one of the Leaf's strengths are they're really good or really poor in positions. Some knocked the Kessel trade, but I think having that #1 RW spot filled by someone like him is such a hard part of the puzzle. Clarkson is the type you want as well. Now if they could round out the roster... which might happen as the cap goes up, Tucker and Armstrong comes off the books... things become much more interesting.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Clarkson on an 82 game pace for 24 points, and a 72 game pace for 21 points. MacArthur has 20 points already for Ottawa.
Clarkson's going to have to REALLY turn it up if he wants to change perceptions and have an impact. His deal could go south very quickly.
Clarkson's going to have to REALLY turn it up if he wants to change perceptions and have an impact. His deal could go south very quickly.