You would have to go pretty far down the list of responsible parties for the Toronto Maple Leafs problems to find the name of David Clarkson, but the prize of the 2013 free agent class is getting more than his share of the blame.
The veteran winger was a healthy scratch for Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers and appears to be on the outside looking in as the Leafs face the New York Rangers at Air Canada Center on Tuesday.
After putting up good offensive numbers in the first quarter of the season, Clarkson has scored just one goal in the last 20 games, but that has coincided with the offensive struggles of the entire club during the 3-16-1 death spiral.
Comparsions to his idol Wendel Clark after signing with Toronto in July 2013 set up the Mimico, ON native for failure and only 19 months into his seven-year, $36.75 Million deal, the 30-year-old and his contract are now Exhibit ‘A’ for the Leafs organization’s mismanagement.
Remember this? pic.twitter.com/MMUflRjDV3
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) February 10, 2015Clarkson did not do himself any favors with what could only be described as a disastrous debut season strewn with suspensions and injuries. His production this season (10 goals in 53 games) is on par with what the Leafs expected from the winger, but not close to his career-high 30 goal year in 2011-12.
While there is no disputing that Toronto expected more from Clarkson and that his tenure has been disappointing, his being singled out for a wakeup call instead of members of the core group who continually play a brand of hockey not conducive to winning is baffling.
The Horachek-Clarkson conversation was fairly animated ... and lasted several minutes. Clarkson looks flabbergasted.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 10, 2015Is it because Clarkson’s salary, no movement clause and bonus laden contract guarantees he will not be leaving Toronto for the next five years, while benching Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Nazem Kadri or Joffrey Lupul would diminish their value as tradable assets in the near future?
*******
James Reimer will get his third straight start against the Rangers, who are 0-2-0 in previous meetings against Toronto this season. Caledonia, ON native Cam Talbot gets the start for New York, who has a 2-1-0 career record, 2.02 GAA and .926 save percentage vs. the Leafs.
The Rangers have only 12 healthy forwards on their roster after an injury to winger Jesper Fast over the weekend, which has heightened expectations that the Blueshirts may step up their interest in Leafs winger Mike Santroelli.
In Monday’s NY Post, columnist Larry Brooks that New York has limited cap space to make additions at the trade deadline and does not have an ready-for-the-NHL answer in the AHL to replace Fast, which makes Santorelli and his $1.5 Million salary a good fit.
Brooks indicates that the Leafs are waiting patiently to drive the price up on the versatile Santorelli prior to March 2 and that the Rangers may step up and pay Toronto’s asking price of a high draft pick(New York has two 2nd rounders) or good prospect(21-year-old former first rounder JT Miller), but might hesitate giving up both pieces in a perspective deal.
*******
Listen to Monday’s interview with Bill Watters here:
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******
For Those on Twitter: Follow @mikeinbuffalo
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.