You've been harping on this dude for hours. What's the deal bro?
I think I found the reason for his Devils hatred. This was the visitor's "bench" for today's game:
amazing. :lol
You've been harping on this dude for hours. What's the deal bro?
I think I found the reason for his Devils hatred. This was the visitor's "bench" for today's game:
amazing. :lol
....
Which brings us to David Clarkson.
Clarkson, expected to return either against the Panthers or Lightning in the Sunshine State this week, hasnt played well in his maiden season as a Leaf. His two prolonged absences a 10-game suspension to start the season, and more recently, an injured elbow that has kept him out since Jan. 14 have coincided with the most successful portions of the Leaf season.
Without Clarkson, the Leafs are 13-4-1.
With Clarkson, the Leafs are 17-17-5.
Comparing his situation with Kessels and, make no mistake, they are very different hockey players is instructive for two very different reasons.
First, individual stories can change, and change drastically. The player who initially appears to be the square peg being pounded into the round hole can look like the ideal fit a little further on down the road.
Second, having a strong understanding of the individual when a lucrative, long-term deal is being handed out can often be absolutely critical for the team involved.
The Leafs wanted more grit after losing that Boston series, and in Clarkson and David Bolland, they thought they had acquired it.
Bolland came already under contract. Clarkson was signed as an unrestricted free agent for which teams almost always pay a premium.
Nonis didnt really know Clarkson any more than a GM of one team knows players on another. Everyone knew he was a Toronto kid, and Nonis knew hed always stood up to be counted when the Leafs played the Devils.
What they didnt know was how his personality, and background, might impact his ability to perform in his hometown.
Specifically, they didnt know how a seven-year, $36.7-million contract might mess with his head, at least initially. Having cut loose Mikhail Grabovski and entered into a bidding war for Clarkson, Nonis chose to take the gamble with an athlete he didnt really know on a personal level.
So far, Clarkson has yet to look comfortable as a Leaf, yet to play as a Leaf as he did as a Devil. He may yet. In fact, he probably will, once he finds a consistent spot in Randy Carlyles lineup.
As with Kessel, what looks lousy today might look great in a few months. Clarkson hasnt even skated in a half-season as a Leaf. So its too early to label him a bust.
Still, this much is true you never know how big money will affect an athlete, good or bad.
But maybe if you know the athlete, the chances of it being good are much better.
Is that your second pairing? Diaz shouldn't be playing more then 15 mins, especially in the western conference where he'll get beat up.So apparently Diaz was leading the Canadiens in both even-strength goals against /60min and even-strength shots against/60min?
I dig it.
Bring on Hamhuis-Diaz while Tanev is out.
Is that your second pairing? Diaz shouldn't be playing more then 15 mins, especially in the western conference where he'll get beat up.
He hasn't played significant top 4 minutes since October, and when he did the Habs were on a hot run with Price playing his best hockey. He should be fine as a ban-daid, but when everyone's healthy his place will be on the 3rd pairing. He's a smart player, his problem is how small and soft he is. He can't clear guys in front of the net, and has a difficult time against big forwards fore checking, which is a much bigger issue in the West then it is in the East.We have four top6 defensemen injured. Beggars can't be choosers. Our only RD's left is our Utica-callup Rookie Corrado and then Diaz. Bieksa, Tanev and Weber are all injured. (And Alberts)
Also Diaz was logging top4 minutes in Montreal and did (statistically speaking) well, so I don't see the issue.
Teams need to catch up cause the Ducks are getting lazy!
I have a soft spot for the BJs though so this doesn't hurt as much.
These teams are pretty fowl no offense. =)
I was kidding and using my bad mojo on the Kings
Don't worry guys. Dustin Brown is still a cunt
The Broncos lost man. We have lost the ability to function properly for about a week.
Chris Neil now has more even strength goals than Spezza
JVR out with the flu, did not fly with the team.
Incoming 3-game losing streak!
I wonder if teams make the players get a flu shot.
DAT STRONG ON THE PUCK
DAT BACKCHECK
DAT INTENSITY
DAT SKATING
DAT LEADERSHIP
Colin Greening with 15min of ice time
Bobby Ryan with 14min.
Best players play dawgs, especially when they go on line changes when the puck is turned over by El Captain fuckwad.
Best players play dawgs, especially when they go on line changes when the puck is turned over by El Captain fuckwad.
Uhhh have we traded Spezza yet?
Good Job Good Effort Captain.
Spezza for Edler?
Spezza for Clarkson
You need leadership?
Spezza for Clarkson
You need leadership? Clarkson's your man, can manage your water bottles and has amazing patented speeches to get the guys motivated such as "Lets go boys!", "Get that puck deep!" and my personal favourite "Hard forecheck now boys!". Would look great with the C.
Don't have to worry about his on ice-performance suffering with the added pressure because it was non-existent in the first place!
Montreal: 3-6-1
Vancouver: 3-7-0
Sabres: 2-5-3
Kings: 1-8-1
That's three teams I wouldn't have expected at the very bottom before the season.
I understand he's having a bad season but he was a real good player before, don't jump the gun.
Its possible management made a mistake making him captain and he can't handle the pressure, I don't know, but to give up on a player of that caliber after a poor season seems wasteful.
Hes been making the same mistakes and giving a half ass effort like that since his rookie season, it wasnt a problem then because the league was different where a 1 dimensional poor skating Center could get away with it, but now in this league your center needs to be a 200 foot player that can backcheck and skate. Plus with his injuries and the added captaincy, you get that.
ITT, Cake Boss and KernelPanic think top six centres grow on trees.
ITT, Cake Boss and KernelPanic think top six centres grow on trees.
Some pretty ladies in there:
Why is the Leafs fan the reasonable one here
Those are fighting words.
Fight me then afterwards we'll go get some ice cream.
JVR out with the flu, did not fly with the team.
Incoming 3-game losing streak!
Where did you see he was out?
Last I saw he was going to fly on a different flight and was a game time decision.