David Clarkson to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Dobber Sports
2013-07-05
Fantasy Impact: It wouldn't be a Free Agent Frenzy without the Leafs doing something ridiculous. Toronto signed winger David Clarkson to a seven-year deal worth $36.75M.
The Leafs get: A guy who hasn't scored more than 46 points in a season and as Dobber pointed out on Twitter, someone who has only six goals and nine points in his last 36 games. With that being said, he did score 30 goals in 2011-12 and was on pace for close to that in 2013 if not for the shortened season. However, Clarkson's contributions to fantasy owners and the Leafs will probably more realistically be in the hits and PIM categories.
Fantasy Players Impacted: The one constant on Clarkson's line over the past two seasons has been Patrik Elias. His departure will hurt Elias slightly if he doesn't get to play with Ilya Kovalchuk next season. With Zach Parise leaving New Jersey last year, the Devils have lost a significant amount of scoring now.
Clarkson may end up playing alongside Nazem Kadri, as the youngster seemed to have some success playing with a similar player in Leo Komarov last year. Both Clarkson and Komarov play a rugged style and can free up space for Kadri, but the difference is that the former Devil has a lot more offensive ability.
This move probably hurts Nikolai Kulemin as well because he will likely be stuck on the third line again this season in a checking role.
Potential Line Combos:
Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Clarkson
Kulemin-Bolland-Colborne
Orr-McClement-Hamilton
Fantasy Players this helps, in order:
1.Clarkson
2.Kadri
Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:
1.Kulemin
2.Elias
3.Ryan Hamilton