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David Clarkson

CarltonTheBear said:
Even if all he did was hit guys like Komarov a lot of people would back off on the criticisms.
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Well, I mean, at least then he'd be providing something. I mean, I feel for the guy. He's from here, playing for the Leafs with financial stability is probably his dream come true. I don't want to be harsh in my criticism of him. But the criticism is coming from him providing nothing, just about literally nothing, to the team.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Corn Flake said:
I wish he would go out and slam guys into the boards every shift.
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Yup. I remember in the Montreal game he threw a big hit on Subban right off the bat and I was like "finally!". Then he proceeded to do nothing for the rest of the game.

Even if all he did was hit guys like Komarov a lot of people would back off on the criticisms.
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He's just getting outplayed by almost anyone.  Joe Colborne has a better PPG.

Komarov would be a good comparison if he was as physical/as much of a pest as Komarov and could PK.  Oh, and made $4 million less I guess...
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Corn Flake said:
I wish he would go out and slam guys into the boards every shift.
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Yup. I remember in the Montreal game he threw a big hit on Subban right off the bat and I was like "finally!". Then he proceeded to do nothing for the rest of the game.

Even if all he did was hit guys like Komarov a lot of people would back off on the criticisms.
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I'm really perplexed by it. I'm not even concerned about the points and as you said, just go out there and Komarov guys and he could have a pretty decent impact on the game, points or no points. 

I think a big part is the refs are looking for him a lot and he's a bit too wary of it.  I think he needs a few games where he just says "screw it" goes out and slams guys all night without worrying about drawing a weak penalty call.

I think this team needs Komarov back to bring back the identity it had last year.  I've pretty much concluded he was the catalyst for 90% of the physical play. He got other teams riled up which got the Leafs riled up. 
 
The difference with Komarov is that, unlike Clarkson, he can really skate. I can't wait to see what a mid-30's Clarkson looks out there.  ???

Funny stat: Paul Ranger has played 2 less games and has 1 more point than Clarkson.
 
AvroArrow said:
He's just so ******* USELESS!
God, I HATE that guy!
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I remember when the Leafs got Al Secord, and after he was a bust I thought I couldn't be more disappointed with a big name player coming here and not performing....well...here we are.
 
With so many people interested in every aspect of not only the Leafs, but the entire NHL, why is it so hard to have someone who knows what they're doing in management?  I'm sick of this all the way from the top to the bottom.  David Clarkson has single-handedly has me thinking about who'll I'll cheer for in the playoffs, despite Toronto managing to cling on with a roster with such a useless over-paid puke on it. 

If I was in charge for a day, I'd fire Nonis, Carlyle, sit Clarkson and bring up Spencer Abbot for a look.
 
The thing is, with Clarkson a lot of the writing was abundantly on the wall that he was going to be a bad signing.  He was brought in to be a specific type of player, but everything about his game suggests that when he plays offensively, he doesn't engage in a defensive mindset.  He's moved over into Darcy Tucker v2.0 where he was more interested in being a scoring presence than a pain in the neck of the opposition.  The thing with Tucker was that he still did the right things to get himself into position to score.

Clarkson has never shown an ability to feed his line offense.  He has abysmal assist totals and a few aberrant high goal-scoring years.  That is the epitome of a guy who will not sustain his offensive production.
 
I don't hate the guy, I hate his contract.  He so badly wanted to be a Leaf, and it would depress the hell out of me if he went down in the history books as a pariah in Toronto.  That would absolutely suck.  But damn, something's gotta give.
 
Zee said:
AvroArrow said:
He's just so ******* USELESS!
God, I HATE that guy!
Click to expand...

I remember when the Leafs got Al Secord, and after he was a bust I thought I couldn't be more disappointed with a big name player coming here and not performing....well...here we are.
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Oh the memories!!  I can't quite remember who they were playing or when but I remember a puck sitting one inch off the goal line in the middle of the net when Big Al bulldozed his way in and fired that puck WIDE.  To this day I don't know how it was physically possible to miss that net.
 
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Too bad he hasn't shown to be the player we were expecting. The Leafs could use some down low toughness and obviously more secondary scoring.

It makes me wonder how much "selling the player" an agent does during contract talks. How does a situation like this affect the next time an agent tries to negotiate a high contract?

When I think of "intangibles", I think of leadership, attitude, that sort of thing. This is also something I think the Leafs are sorely lacking after watching last years playoff run. I'm not so sure he's bringing any of that to the table either.

All we can do is hope he finds another gear here, because he's going to be around for awhile.



 
From everything I've seen so far he seems like he's trying to do too much, which is a bit between the ears, but my biggest complaint would centre around how little he moves his feet overall.
 
Mostar said:
Too bad he hasn't shown to be the player we were expecting. The Leafs could use some down low toughness and obviously more secondary scoring.

It makes me wonder how much "selling the player" an agent does during contract talks. How does a situation like this affect the next time an agent tries to negotiate a high contract?

When I think of "intangibles", I think of leadership, attitude, that sort of thing. This is also something I think the Leafs are sorely lacking after watching last years playoff run. I'm not so sure he's bringing any of that to the table either.

All we can do is hope he finds another gear here, because he's going to be around for awhile.
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I don't think they were lacking leadership or intangibles.  I mean, look at the incredible heart displayed by Grabbo.  The guy gave it absolutely everything.  The thing they lacked was a good puck possession game, which leads to good defense and the ability to protect a lead.  This year, they have gotten slightly worse in that regard.  It is not heart or a will to win; it is just that they don't have the skill or the systems to protect their leads.  I'd fire the coach to see if that is one of the main problems.
 
princedpw said:
Mostar said:
Too bad he hasn't shown to be the player we were expecting. The Leafs could use some down low toughness and obviously more secondary scoring.

It makes me wonder how much "selling the player" an agent does during contract talks. How does a situation like this affect the next time an agent tries to negotiate a high contract?

When I think of "intangibles", I think of leadership, attitude, that sort of thing. This is also something I think the Leafs are sorely lacking after watching last years playoff run. I'm not so sure he's bringing any of that to the table either.

All we can do is hope he finds another gear here, because he's going to be around for awhile.
Click to expand...

I don't think they were lacking leadership or intangibles.  I mean, look at the incredible heart displayed by Grabbo.  The guy gave it absolutely everything.  The thing they lacked was a good puck possession game, which leads to good defense and the ability to protect a lead.  This year, they have gotten slightly worse in that regard.  It is not heart or a will to win; it is just that they don't have the skill or the systems to protect their leads.  I'd fire the coach to see if that is one of the main problems.
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I dont doubt they could use more puck possesion, and I dont doubt their will to win or Grabbo's heart. What I do think is missing is the bench leadership. (outside of RC). The type of sparkplug players who get energy going either by example, by words, or just attitude. Think Keon, Gilmour, Toews. None of those guys were (are) spectacular at any one thing...except winning.

It doesnt have to be Phaneauf (and it likely never will be). It could be 2 or three guys, but that's the particular brand of intangible I was thinking.
 
You really have to question Nonis and the Leafs professional scouting on his one.  I had watched him play a handful of games before the signing and a couple when he was with the Kitchener Rangers and it was obvious that his skating was always very weak and awkward.  Having that awkward stance also contributes to his poor balance as well and he is often easily knocked over.

For Clarkson to be successfull offensively he really needs to rely on two linemates that can carry to puck up the ice and thru the tight areas.  Clarkson is not a player that will make his linemates better but he is being paid that way.

I would honestly like to know what some of the other Gms thought of the signing at the time.  I really have a hard time seeing him ever eclipse the 20 goal mark again.
 
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