David Clarkson

[Strangelove]

D'Amigo was quicker and much more effective than Clarkson last night. Clarkson looks like Jason Allison without the hands.

 

[Keonist]

I think many will be singing another Clarkson tune come playoffs. Don't underestimate the upheaval of a move to a new job, even in your hometown and with your childhood team. It all takes time.

 

[bustaheims]

I think many will be singing another Clarkson tune come playoffs. Don't underestimate the upheaval of a move to a new job, even in your hometown and with your childhood team. It all takes time.

It's not like Clarkson has a long history of being effective in the playoffs, either. He's had one good playoff run (not coincidentally, during his career year). What he does have is a history of taking penalties in the playoffs, which is, you know, not helpful.

 

[Keonist]

I think many will be singing another Clarkson tune come playoffs. Don't underestimate the upheaval of a move to a new job, even in your hometown and with your childhood team. It all takes time.

It's not like Clarkson has a long history of being effective in the playoffs, either. He's had one good playoff run (not coincidentally, during his career year). What he does have is a history of taking penalties in the playoffs, which is, you know, not helpful.

That, I didn't realize.  I just recall really liking him in NJ games I watched and wishing he was a Leaf, thinking he was just the kind of player a Leaf team, any team could use.  I guess I like to think that that version of Clarkson will eventually emerge.  He is a young guy, sincere and hard-working.  If they spent money on him, and they did, as well as a committment in time, then I imagine Nonis is busy looking for the components to compliment him.

 

[BrownRolo]

This guy might be the biggest bust that ever busted in the history of busts. We all knew he wouldn't live up to his contract, but this is ridiculous. He has zero finish. Plus I'm getting sick of seeing his stupid face with the crazy eyes.

 

[Keonist]

That's just his regular season face.  Just you wait for his playoff guise.

 

[TML fan]

That's just his regular season face.  Just you wait for his playoff guise.

Well how long do we have to wait for that? This team ain't making the playoffs.

 

[Boston Leaf]

He just always seemed to score against us when with NJ... But he has been horrible. Much slower than I thought.. I remember thinking the same thing about Jeff O'Neil when he was with Carolina he always seemed to burn us to. Another useless player in blue and white it turned out..So far a huge disappointment

 

[freer]

That's just his regular season face.  Just you wait for his playoff guise.

Well how long do we have to wait for that? This team ain't making the playoffs.

3/4 of us stated that last season with the horrid patch in around the same part of schedule, but they did. 

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

From Damien Cox:

Free agent fumbles: So exactly what was David Clarkson doing standing - STANDING - three feet offside in the third period last night, thus negating a perfect home run pass from Jake Gardiner to Trevor Smith?

Hard to say. It was just weird. But it sort of fit with Clarkson's very strange season.
The 10-game suspension at the beginning of the season just killed him, and you have to wonder if he'll be able to get it going at any point this season.

But before you conclude that the seven-year deal he got from the Leafs last summer was a bust, remember that he's got time to right the ship.

And remember that free agent misses can happen to anybody.

And remember that free agent misses can happen to anybody.

"Now let me get back to my regular programming - Kessel has no heart and will never win because he's a soft non-winner and should be traded."

Seriously, if this was almost anyone else Cox would be ripping them to shreds.

 

[Redleaf]

He's played 21 games as a Leaf. TWENTY-ONE.

Does anyone think it's fair to give him at least 40, that's half a season, before we run him out of town?

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

He's played 21 games as a Leaf. TWENTY-ONE.

Does anyone think it's fair to give him at least 40, that's half a season, before we run him out of town?

No. Kulemin can have years, but Clarkson's only allowed a third of a season.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He's played 21 games as a Leaf. TWENTY-ONE.

Does anyone think it's fair to give him at least 40, that's half a season, before we run him out of town?

No. Kulemin can have years, but Clarkson's only allowed a third of a season.

Or maybe it's because Kulemin has a $2.8 million cap hit compared to Clarkson's $5.25 million cap hit (almost double the cap hit) while providing virtually the same offensive output.

You honestly think people would be complaining about Clarkson's play at $2.8 million the way they are at $5.25 million?  It's a cap league, it's a legitimate complaint when the $2.8 million player has historically and continues to perform at a similar level as the $5.25 million player (last season they were 1 point apart, this season the same so far).  Obviously Kulemin won't be at $2.8 million after this season, but he won't be at $5.25 million either. 

EDIT: And I'd be FAR easier on Clarkson (not that I feel I've been particularly harsh on him) if he was being paid more commensurate with his skills.  Just as I'd be far harsher on Kulemin if he was taking up $5.25 million on the roster.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Obviously Kulemin won't be at $2.8 million after this season, but he won't be at $5.25 million either. 

Just out of curiousity, what do you think Kulemin gets next season? I'd be surprised if he went much higher than $3mil. Defensive wingers typically don't get paid much in free agency.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Obviously Kulemin won't be at $2.8 million after this season, but he won't be at $5.25 million either. 

Just out of curiousity, what do you think Kulemin gets next season? I'd be surprised if he went much higher than $3mil. Defensive wingers typically don't get paid much in free agency.

That's what I think he'll get, $3 million or a touch more.

 

[Champ Kind]

This guy might be the biggest bust that ever busted in the history of busts. We all knew he wouldn't live up to his contract, but this is ridiculous. He has zero finish. Plus I'm getting sick of seeing his stupid face with the crazy eyes.

Ever heard of Scott Gomez?

 

[AvroArrow]

He's played 21 games as a Leaf. TWENTY-ONE.

Does anyone think it's fair to give him at least 40, that's half a season, before we run him out of town?

No. Kulemin can have years, but Clarkson's only allowed a third of a season.

Or maybe it's because Kulemin has a $2.8 million cap hit compared to Clarkson's $5.25 million cap hit (almost double the cap hit) while providing virtually the same offensive output.

You honestly think people would be complaining about Clarkson's play at $2.8 million the way they are at $5.25 million?  It's a cap league, it's a legitimate complaint when the $2.8 million player has historically and continues to perform at a similar level as the $5.25 million player (last season they were 1 point apart, this season the same so far).  Obviously Kulemin won't be at $2.8 million after this season, but he won't be at $5.25 million either. 

EDIT: And I'd be FAR easier on Clarkson (not that I feel I've been particularly harsh on him) if he was being paid more commensurate with his skills.  Just as I'd be far harsher on Kulemin if he was taking up $5.25 million on the roster.

And to add, Kulemin's defence >> Clarkson's defense.  I've caught Clarkson floating on defense more this year than I've caught Kulemin in all his time here as a Leaf.

 

[Champ Kind]

He's played 21 games as a Leaf. TWENTY-ONE.

Does anyone think it's fair to give him at least 40, that's half a season, before we run him out of town?

No. Kulemin can have years, but Clarkson's only allowed a third of a season.

Or maybe it's because Kulemin has a $2.8 million cap hit compared to Clarkson's $5.25 million cap hit (almost double the cap hit) while providing virtually the same offensive output.

You honestly think people would be complaining about Clarkson's play at $2.8 million the way they are at $5.25 million?  It's a cap league, it's a legitimate complaint when the $2.8 million player has historically and continues to perform at a similar level as the $5.25 million player (last season they were 1 point apart, this season the same so far).  Obviously Kulemin won't be at $2.8 million after this season, but he won't be at $5.25 million either. 

EDIT: And I'd be FAR easier on Clarkson (not that I feel I've been particularly harsh on him) if he was being paid more commensurate with his skills.  Just as I'd be far harsher on Kulemin if he was taking up $5.25 million on the roster.

Potvin, this is fine and dandy, but you're choosing to ignoire the fact that UFA's will be overpaid.  Eating into cap space is the acquisition cost.  Now, I get it, his performance has been about that of Kulemin's (although I do think Clarkson has had some horrible bounces).  But comparing Kulemin and Clarkson's cap hit is definitely apples and oranges.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He's played 21 games as a Leaf. TWENTY-ONE.

Does anyone think it's fair to give him at least 40, that's half a season, before we run him out of town?

No. Kulemin can have years, but Clarkson's only allowed a third of a season.

Or maybe it's because Kulemin has a $2.8 million cap hit compared to Clarkson's $5.25 million cap hit (almost double the cap hit) while providing virtually the same offensive output.

You honestly think people would be complaining about Clarkson's play at $2.8 million the way they are at $5.25 million?  It's a cap league, it's a legitimate complaint when the $2.8 million player has historically and continues to perform at a similar level as the $5.25 million player (last season they were 1 point apart, this season the same so far).  Obviously Kulemin won't be at $2.8 million after this season, but he won't be at $5.25 million either. 

EDIT: And I'd be FAR easier on Clarkson (not that I feel I've been particularly harsh on him) if he was being paid more commensurate with his skills.  Just as I'd be far harsher on Kulemin if he was taking up $5.25 million on the roster.

Potvin, this is fine and dandy, but you're choosing to ignoire the fact that UFA's will be overpaid.  Eating into cap space is the acquisition cost.  Now, I get it, his performance has been about that of Kulemin's (although I do think Clarkson has had some horrible bounces).  But comparing Kulemin and Clarkson's cap hit is definitely apples and oranges.

Clarkson's had bad bounces like any player does, but I'm talking about his career - very similar point totals, and Kulemin a higher career PPG.

Overpaying UFA's is well known, but it doesn't mean you overpay them to this degree.  It's early to criticize it too harshly, but at the same time there's not much in his history to suggest he has another level to get to, so I think it's going to be a lot of the same.

Which, again, I don't mind his game at all, per se - just what the team is paying to get it, and whether they needed to get more of it at all.

 

[Champ Kind]

Clarkson's had bad bounces like any player does, but I'm talking about his career - very similar point totals, and Kulemin a higher career PPG.

Overpaying UFA's is well known, but it doesn't mean you overpay them to this degree.  It's early to criticize it too harshly, but at the same time there's not much in his history to suggest he has another level to get to, so I think it's going to be a lot of the same.

Which, again, I don't mind his game at all, per se - just what the team is paying to get it, and whether they needed to get more of it at all.

I generally agree with you.  But Nonis wanted the player and he paid what was needed to get him.  We can argue whether or not Clarkson is what they needed, and we'll have the benefit of retrospect in doing so.  I think the deal will look less onerous as the cap goes up, but I feel confident that Nonis paid what was then market value for the player.