As the 2014-15 NHL Hockey Season gets under way teams get set for pre-season action. Some games start today, while the Maple Leafs get set to open their pre-season schedule tomorrow against the Flyers in London,ON. I am going to start to do a series on some 5 Leaf players who face the most concern or wonder heading into the season.
Today starts off with probably the biggest question of the year and maybe the most expensive one. David Clarkson, who after signing a crazy stupid contract put up a dismal first year with the Blue and White. First getting suspended 10 games for leaving the bench during an altercation with the Buffalo Sabres, then being suspended 2 games for this hit on Blues player Valdimir Sobokta. Soon after getting injured for most of the remainder of the year with an elbow injury that forced the Leafs to put him on the IR list. But even with all the distractions and injury problems, David Clarkson still remained such a disappointment for the team and fans after being successful in New Jersey. His below level scores in points and goals were his second lowest only to his rookie year with New Jersey when he only had 3 goals and 4 total points.
Leaf fans expect a better year from him this upcoming season, after all there really can be no where for Clarkson to go but up after that horrid first year as a maple leaf, but here are the top 5 questions I think David Clarkson will face heading into the season opener.
- How Healthy will David Clarkson be?
Well this is a bit awkward after hearing a report from the National Post, it seems once again that David Clarkson will be or could be on the shelf entering Leafs Camp and possible the season opener, alongside Tyler Bozak. we are not sure of the injury only that it is day to day with an undisclosed upper body injury. This player that gave so many people headaches last year has already started his second year with the Leafs on the wrong foot. It is hard to tell when Clarkson will be returning as we don’t know the full extent of the injury but I would assume he should be ready for opening night. In terms of how healthy he can be for the year? if that elbow is all fixed up and he smartens up I could see him have a lengthy 2014-15 season, but it all depends on whether he can control his body enough to not get hurt in bad times.
2.Will Clarkson be able to score more than 5 goals on the year?
I don’t see why David Clarkson can’t be more productive for the Leafs this year. No one had a downer year like Clarkson after breaking through for the defense minded Devils posting 30 goals in 80 games in 2011-12 and then 15 goals and 24 points in the lockout shortened 48 game schedule before joining the Leafs. He has shown he can contribute in a full season even with playing with Ilya Kovalchuk for most of the time. I know the likes of what the Leafs have is not exactly Ilya Kovalchuk but Clarkson knows he has to produce and will during the year.
3.Will we see David Clarkson on the Second Line?
There has been some discussion surrounding putting David Clarkson on the second line,on twitter anyway so take it with a grain of salt. But putting Clarkson on the second line would not be awfully out of line, maybe try it when he is healthy to try and give him that push he needs and playing with Kadri and Lupul who can just bounce puck off him. Really anything to get this guy going, and if it doesn’t work just throw him down to the third so he can grow.
4. How Many Goals Will Clarkson end up with?
It really all depends on his health, recent news of him having an upper body injury already raises questions and concerns over how ready he is for the season, he missed the start due to his stupid stupidness and then got hurt last year so hopes for him are real low and people don’t expect much from an overpaid 30 plus year old. So for how many goals he could put up for this year? 15 maybe, but playing on the third line probably means shutdown minutes so goals could come at a premium unless third line guys show promise or Clarkson is on the second line .
5. Do You have Much Faith In David Clarkson?
No I don’t, especially after his weird upper body injury he suffered even before training camp started. I see him improving but not really being a big factor in the Leafs season, this contract is such a rough contract to move around because well.. It is David Clarkson and it is not like he is a young talent he is 30 years old which is like super old in hockey years and will turn 37 when this crazy contract ends, and I don’t see a team taking on this contract so expect him to be a leaf for a while.