http://thefarmclub.net/2013/05/22/5-free-agents-for-the-devils-to-consider-this-offseason/
I don't know a whole lot about Clarkson other than numbers but he intrigues me. A little insight on him?
As far as a little insight on Clarky goes -
The guy is a heart-and-soul lunch pail player. He's been the perfect Lou Lams-type player on and off the ice. He has steadily improved from a guy who could throw the fists but barely stay on his skates - adding a wraparound (the Clarkaround to Devs fans) to his repertoire which got him pitching in a goal here and there - and then adding a toe drag and a pretty good wrister, to eventually become a pretty dangerous goal scorer. He's displayed some pretty good deflection hands in front of the net on the PP, and has made some nice passes (where previously it seemed like he had no vision and was shoot-first, shoot-always).
The guy's story, going from essentially a 4th-line goon to 30 goal-scorer is compelling.
He never seems too big for his britches, and is a good character guy in the locker room - he's become fast friends with Marty and has been a perfect citizen off the ice.
His best attribute by far is his puck control behind the net and along the boards in the LW corner.
He has fought less, and hits less than he has in the past, and maybe the only knock on him is his skating.
The only crap he gets from Devils fans is that he is playing on the 2nd line but is rightfully a 3rd liner.
He went into the tank this year because he got hurt - seemingly pretty badly in a Flyers game but played through it.
I would love to see him back on the Devils for <$4.5m but fear Toronto is too big a lure and has deep pockets. If they sign him for 5m, and expect him to be a true 30 goal scorer - there will be some disappointed folks in Toronto. If you need a tough guy to stick up for your guys, be tough on the forecheck, and pop in 15-25 goals a year he's a great guy to have on your squad.
Just my opinion.