Just a horrendous contract for Clarkson. With the bonus structure, he's completely buyout proof (probably by design by his agent); cap that off with a NMC and at least 2 years too long. Just. Wow.

I, like a lot of fans, was excited last year as I thought he'd bring some toughness to our top 6, but that guy's spending too much time in Lupul's salon or something: he looked like a wet scarecrow out there and was on his ass more than his skates... even Kadri in his first couple of stints looked more stable out there and that's not saying much.
- gravyface

I believe the primary reason for the bonus structure is that the bonuses are taxed a more favourable rate than salary.

Nonis/Loiselle should have realized the implication to a buyout and never signed it. Both should be fired for this contract structure.

And most of us will tell you that you're wrong. The truth is people were excited about having Clarkson in the lineup ....but, like you, most were cringing at the details of the contract.
- The Law

I wasn't pointing towards anyone in particular, but I remember having conversations regarding the details of the contract and many were fine, let alone pleased with it. Like I said, if he kept up his production from the year prior I could totally get behind it, but I just didn't think it was a sustainable trend, while if I remember correctly, others did.

It happens all the time...even to GMs obviously.

Not trying to piss you guys off...but I distinctly remember saying last summer that I hated the contract and I just remember the excitement level was through the roof on here. He just really didn't have much prolonged success before joining the LEafs and I think he flashed in the pan a little to bright and it blinded all the suitors who were chasing after him.
- RickJames77

Some other team would've signed him, for similar dollars, but probably 4-5 years.

One look at his shooting percentage, the amount of PP minutes he received, and you knew he wasn't going to net 30 with Toronto. Couple that with the suspensions, injuries, and not finding a groove, and he was on the 3rd line as a checker, where he wasn't going to break 15.

If Clarkson's a useful role player on the team and providing secondary offense in the 20/45 range, I'll be ecstatic. He'll most likely be in the 15/35 range, because I do believe that Booth is the better pure goal scorer/top 6 player and even if he gets hurt, there's a line a mile long of top 9 guys who can play hockey looking to take his minutes.

Really guys? REALLY?
- Scabeh

Yes.

Really.

He produced 2x below his career avg. I'm not expecting 30, but high teens pushing 20 is his career avg.
- burn

Agreed, but do you think that's worth what you're paying him?

Really guys? REALLY?
- Scabeh

That or the "other" plan is set in motion. The plan we cannot speak of.

That or the "other" plan is set in motion. The plan we cannot speak of.
- Woderwick

Fishing trip.. shhhhhhuuuussssshhhh

Gotta believe that Clarkson might actually feel a little bad about his horrible first season. It seemed like the guy cared and wnted to do so well for the team that he just over thought everything out there. I would like to think hes working his ass off this summer to come back strong and try to earn that contract. Some players care enough and he seems like one of them. He knows he has a long way to go to win back the fans and teamates confidence, you gotta hope that lights a fire under his ass this summer.

I believe the primary reason for the bonus structure is that the bonuses are taxed a more favourable rate than salary.

Nonis/Loiselle should have realized the implication to a buyout and never signed it. Both should be fired for this contract structure.
- Tumbleweed

I'm not an accountant, but that doesn't sound right to me.

It's still income. The only difference would be that it comes in one calendar year, as opposed to spread out over two, but at the end of the day, that won't really make a difference.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Agreed, but do you think that's worth what you're paying him?
- RickJames77

Sounds familiar......seems to be some people on here that do the same about Phaneuf.
- Fakepartofme

Well, some people here don't understand the value of a #1 d-man.

I'm not an accountant, but that doesn't sound right to me.

It's still income. The only difference would be that it comes in one calendar year, as opposed to spread out over two, but at the end of the day, that won't really make a difference.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this.
- Atomic Wedgie

I have to agree with wedgie on this.

I'm not an accountant, but that doesn't sound right to me.

It's still income. The only difference would be that it comes in one calendar year, as opposed to spread out over two, but at the end of the day, that won't really make a difference.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this.
- Atomic Wedgie

In Canada, bonuses are taxed at 45.6 % ... I know, I get one quarterly.. But the Gov takes almost half.

Fishing trip.. shhhhhhuuuussssshhhh
- bixll

*whistles*

The official *other* plan may involve an HB poster, a van, and faulty brakes. But I'm not totally sure that plan really exists...just a rumour.

I believe the primary reason for the bonus structure is that the bonuses are taxed a more favourable rate than salary.

Nonis/Loiselle should have realized the implication to a buyout and never signed it. Both should be fired for this contract structure.
- Tumbleweed

I think Loiselle handled all the contracts, but yeah: there was no exit strategy in that contract with Clarkson, but that's the problem with UFAs, especially since that was the first year of having a week long interview/pre-negotiation period: even more power to the player. They could've called his bluff and asked for less term/dollars, but there was a real threat he'd go elsewhere.

The scary thing is, he's on the wrong side of his prime and his career numbers did not pan out, at all.

We might as well have kept Kulemin and signed him for 3.5M over 5 years; same kind of player, really: Kulemin doesn't fight, but is built like a brick poop house; Clarkson strikes fear into the hearts of all those who would forsaken the water bottle.

Gotta believe that Clarkson might actually feel a little bad about his horrible first season. It seemed like the guy cared and wnted to do so well for the team that he just over thought everything out there. I would like to think hes working his ass off this summer to come back strong and try to earn that contract. Some players care enough and he seems like one of them. He knows he has a long way to go to win back the fans and teamates confidence, you gotta hope that lights a fire under his ass this summer.
- TonkaPhaneuf

He gave an interview last week that basically confirmed he is pissed with the year he had.

In Canada, bonuses are taxed at 45.6 % ... I know, I get one quarterly.. But the Gov takes almost half.
- bixll

Interesting...bonuses here are just taxed as additional income.

He gave an interview last week that basically confirmed he is pissed with the year he had.
- Atomic Wedgie

Shocking revelation right there.

Interesting...bonuses here are just taxed as additional income.
- RickJames77

I have had this fight a few times.. In the end,, in Canada, we pay a lot of taxes.

I'm not an accountant, but that doesn't sound right to me.

It's still income. The only difference would be that it comes in one calendar year, as opposed to spread out over two, but at the end of the day, that won't really make a difference.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this.
- Atomic Wedgie

Specific tax rules with respect to athletes. Bonuses should be taxed based on his residency. If he's maintaining U.S. residency, he may be eligible for the benefit.

edit: I just can't think of any other potential reason the Leafs would agree to that stupid contract structure.

Shocking revelation right there.
- Pecafan Fan

I didn't think he was smart enough to realize that.. Maybe there is hope.

I have had this fight a few times.. In the end,, in Canada, we pay a lot of taxes.
- bixll

I live in Taxachussetts so although probably not as bad, I feel your pain.

Yes.

Really.
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't think the Leafs can afford to put one of their worst players from last season on their powerplay in the hopes he might put up better numbers.

Clarkson is a guy that averages less than 20 goals per season (even before last year), the Leafs have better options than him to score goals on the powerplay. Give him the role he should have, despite his ridiculous contract, which is being a third liner with grit.

I live in Taxachussetts so although probably not as bad, I feel your pain.
- RickJames77

I thought I had lower back troubles, but it was just tax pain.

I thought I had lower back troubles, but it was just tax pain.
- bixll

Nope...just those big 'ol voluptuous man boobs