You like seeing players fly by him with no effort getting back, that is the the captain of the team that let a player easily beat him for the puck and a breakaway, it is disgusting. No heart and lazy.
- LeafMan

Yes, that's all anecdotal. Faults stand out more than the dozens of small plays every NHLer does right.

I understand what people's preconceived biases tell them. I've heard it all before. What the bare facts say is that, as far as keeping pucks out of nets, he's been the best on the team by a mile and among the best in the league.

If he was in the negative they would use it against him, we all knows this.
- Yeti1181

He was negative last year. Same with the year before. So he must be a steal this year.

Nothing at all to do with being on the ice when the Leafs top line is.
- weirdoh

The same top line that's:

Bozak +9
JVR +1
Kessel +4

Yeah, that's gonna help him

I'll tell you this, I'll take Macarthurs 20 goals over Clarksons intangibles all day...

Look at everybody crying in here. Just a few games ago this team was red hot and playing very well. And we still have points in the last 2 games. But now suddenly everyone sucks? I hope Kessel and JVR pot a couple here and get some of this garbage out of here.

Cmon Leafs...a come back and win on the way...

Dions played really well this year, but likeyears past, too much... He may be doing the customary slow fade...
- aminnes

I don't really blame him if he's start fading he basically the only guy playing defense consistently for the leafs.

I'll tell you this, I'll take Macarthurs 20 goals over Clarksons intangibles all day...
- aminnes

You like seeing players fly by him with no effort getting back, that is the the captain of the team that let a player easily beat him for the puck and a breakaway, it is disgusting. No heart and lazy.
- LeafMan

Exactly

The same top line that's:

Bozak +9
JVR +1
Kessel +4

Yeah, that's gonna help him
- walshyleafsfan

You know what? He's amazing. Sorry for not liking your favourite player.

He was negative last year. Same with the year before. So he must be a steal this year.
- weirdoh

Yep and everyone point to that for reason he sucked last year.

I don't really blame him if he's start fading he basically the only guy playing defense consistently for the leafs.
- Yeti1181

I don't blame him either, or Clarkson. There are people managing the team, wether it's ice time or contracts...

Nothing at all to do with being on the ice when the Leafs top line is.
- weirdoh

How do you explain his superior ES/TOI numbers then? Anyway you slice it, fewer pucks go in.

And you're overstating how often he's on the ice with the top line, especially when he's drawing the top shutdown assignments.

I'll tell you this, I'll take Macarthurs 20 goals over Clarksons intangibles all day...
- aminnes

Easily
But everyone wanted his intangibles

Almost time to mute the game and crank up the Yakety Sax

Yep and everyone point to that for reason he sucked last year.
- Yeti1181

Almost like +/- means absolutely nothing. Weird.

What a disgrace out there tonight. They just let them walk right in without challenging them. Carlyle took this team from a tough to play against team to a wimp team in one year. We still haven't assembled a 4th line and still haven't got a number 2 defenseman. Nonuts is going to just ride it out and we're out in 5 vs the Bruins or Pens. Bastard!

You know what? He's amazing. Sorry for not liking your favourite player.
- weirdoh

He's not my favourite player, he's a Richard. I just get embarrassed being a fellow Leafs fan and hearing our best D man get chewed constantly, while Gunnar, Gardiner and Franson (somewhat) get a free pass. People just wanna hate, to hate.

P.S. Kessel is my favourite player.

I think the real issue we have right now is our special teams. We can't kill penalty's worth poop and are lethal PP has dried up... If we can get these going we will be ok...

You know what? He's amazing. Sorry for not liking your favourite player.
- weirdoh

You should have known better.

Easily
But everyone wanted his intangibles
- Fakepartofme

Did any of us actually want Clarkson? It was all but certain he'd be overpaid and he's a career a 15 goal 15 assist type player on his career. He's so mediocre.

How do you explain his superior ES/TOI numbers then? Anyway you slice it, fewer pucks go in.

And you're overstating how often he's on the ice with the top line, especially when he's drawing the top shutdown assignments.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Is there a way to figure out how many "important" game changing goals go in while he's on the ice?

I don't blame him either, or Clarkson. There are people managing the team, wether it's ice time or contracts...
- aminnes

You wouldn't get anyone of Phaneuf caliber to play for less.

He's not my favourite player, he's a Richard. I just get embarrassed being a fellow Leafs fan and hearing our best D man get chewed constantly, while Gunnar, Gardiner and Franson (somewhat) get a free pass. People just wanna hate, to hate.

P.S. Kessel is my favourite player.
- walshyleafsfan

I (frank)ing hate them all. Fanson is just as bad as #3. Gunnar ain't helping anybody. Gardiner can at least skate.


Kessel is mine as well.

Thats not a very good reason to pay him more than he's worth...
- Fruitcakenipple

How much more do you think he's being paid than what he's worth?

I'd say he justifies his current 6.5 mil. Next year, he gets 7. Then again, the cap may be 7-8% higher, as well.