Sportsnet: Spott’s relationship with Clarkson a big asset

[FlareKnight]

If Spott can get Clarkson playing better I'm fine with that. Though I don't think playing him top 6 makes sense with how he was last year. That guy just helped drag down Kadri's line. We need scoring in there and if he can't contribute at all then he should be third line.

 

[Duke Silver]

no purpose other than maybe dressing a player who could actually help the team

Let's give him a chance to see what he can do this year with a clean slate. I'm not expecting 30 goals but he could put up 15-20 in the right situation.

He was abysmal last year. I don't think anyone could deny that. But we unfortunately have him for another 6 years, and despite what fans say he WILL be dressed every night, so we should definitely try to play to his strengths and see what we can get out of it.

 

[ACC1224]

Let's give him a chance to see what he can do this year with a clean slate. I'm not expecting 30 goals but 15-20 would be nice.

He was abysmal last year. I don't think anyone could deny that. But we unfortunately have him for another 6 years, and despite what fans say he WILL be dressed every night, so we should definitely try to play to his strengths and see what we can get out of it.

They certainly won't plant him in the Press Box but if he struggles like last year I could see them giving him the occasional night off.

This won't happen until well into the season though.

 

[hotpaws]

Let's give him a chance to see what he can do this year with a clean slate. I'm not expecting 30 goals but 15-20 would be nice.

He was abysmal last year. I don't think anyone could deny that. But we unfortunately have him for another 6 years, and despite what fans say he WILL be dressed every night, so we should definitely try to play to his strengths and see what we can get out of it.

we can keep wiping the slate clean ( like we did for Komi ) for another 6 years but it won't change the fact he's nothing more than a 4th liner

 

[darrylsittler27]

True.

That is why I hated that contract, Nonnis could be long gone when it really starts to sting in the last 3 to 4 years.

I dread to think what we would have to do to unload his contract, eat half his salary and buyout the last 3 years?

 

[Duke Silver]

we can keep wiping the slate clean ( like we did for Komi ) for another 6 years but it won't change the fact he's nothing more than a 4th liner

Well he has proven capable of scoring at a top-6 level before, so I'm not sure where you're getting the 4th liner stuff. At worst he's a capable third liner. An overpaid one, for sure. No arguments there.

Could we just be spared from the whole "bench him for the next 6 years" stuff, though? Let's be realistic here. That ain't happening.

 

[The Iceman]

When speaking about the player Clarkson we unfortunately need to forget about his contract. He is paid like a top 6 but does not fit in there.
He would fit in well with Komorav providing muscle to back up Leo and his pest like play.

 

[leburn98]

Call me crazy but I don't want to give up on a guy after just one season, even if it was as horrible of a season as Clarkson had. With that said, alot of things didn't go right for him last year, especially the 10 game suspension to start off the season.

IMO, Clarkson was at his best when he was playing with Bolland. Rough and tumble hockey. If he could spark a similar chemistry with Komarov, that may be a great line. Something like a Booth/Komarov/Clarkson or Winnik/Komarov/Clarkson could work out great and give us a pest/troll line to stir things up while still giving us some potential offensive output.

 

[Kurtz]

Call me crazy but I don't want to give up on a guy after just one season, even if it was as horrible of a season as Clarkson had. With that said, alot of things didn't go right for him last year, especially the 10 game suspension to start off the season.

IMO, Clarkson was at his best when he was playing with Bolland. Rough and tumble hockey. If he could spark a similar chemistry with Komarov, that may be a great line. Something like a Booth/Komarov/Clarkson or Winnik/Komarov/Clarkson could work out great and give us a pest/troll line to stir things up while still giving us some potential offensive output.

Not a bad idea.

Also, on Paper, Clarkson-Kadri-Lupul should also work. I know it didn't last year, but the guys had no time to gell due to Clarkson's suspension and Lupul's injuries.

 

[jmart21]

we can keep wiping the slate clean ( like we did for Komi ) for another 6 years but it won't change the fact he's nothing more than a 4th liner

Then what is there to complain about? Put him on the 4th line.

 

[jmart21]

Call me crazy but I don't want to give up on a guy after just one season, even if it was as horrible of a season as Clarkson had. With that said, alot of things didn't go right for him last year, especially the 10 game suspension to start off the season.

IMO, Clarkson was at his best when he was playing with Bolland. Rough and tumble hockey. If he could spark a similar chemistry with Komarov, that may be a great line. Something like a Booth/Komarov/Clarkson or Winnik/Komarov/Clarkson could work out great and give us a pest/troll line to stir things up while still giving us some potential offensive output.

I agree with this.

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see a Komarov-Kadri-Clarkson line a few times throughout the year. Obviously Komarov can't play top 6 mins and if Clarkson can is quite debateable.... But those 2 wingers would compliment Kadri perfectly. Two guys to just run the opposition defense and drive the net, creating plenty of space for Kadri to do his thing.

Wouldn't be a bad option for a few shifts mid-game just to throw off the opposition's line matching. Certainly not a viable long-term thing, but when used right, could be an effective line.

 

[Mess]

I say Clarkson scores 15 goals and 35+ points in a bounce back year.

Spott knows how to motivate Clarkson.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

I agree with this.

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see a Komarov-Kadri-Clarkson line a few times throughout the year. Obviously Komarov can't play top 6 mins and if Clarkson can is quite debateable.... But those 2 wingers would compliment Kadri perfectly. Two guys to just run the opposition defense and drive the net, creating plenty of space for Kadri to do his thing.

Wouldn't be a bad option for a few shifts mid-game just to throw off the opposition's line matching. Certainly not a viable long-term thing, but when used right, could be an effective line.

Interesting thought, however, you are right that it should be temporary. Both have hands of stone and would probably bobble kadri's passes

 

[MJ65]

I say Clarkson scores 15 goals and 35+ points in a bounce back year.

Spott knows how to motivate Clarkson.

35 points and you consider that a bounce back year from a $5M plus winger - what a waste

 

[jmart21]

Interesting thought, however, you are right that it should be temporary. Both have hands of stone and would probably bobble kadri's passes

Yeah, certainly can't expect them to put up 50 pts each over the course of a year.
Clarkson's bread and butter is running the opposition and crashing the net. Komarov excels at this as well.

I'm just thinking of it in terms of defending against.....You go from having your opposition line matching against your top 2 lines to them fumbling on the fly to matchup against 3 lines.

 

[jmart21]

35 points and you consider that a bounce back year from a $5M plus winger - what a waste

The thing is....you just need to get over it. The contract is signed. Crying does nothing.

I find it mindboggling that people actually would rather see a player on our team crash and burn than have success or improvement. I guess it's bad for a fan to wish success upon a player?

 

[MJ65]

For the team's sake - I hope he is not paired with Kadri and Lupul, he is not a top six forward

 

[jmart21]

For the team's sake - I hope he is not paired with Kadri and Lupul, he is not a top six forward

You should hope; for the team's sake, he's placed in the lineup where he fits best.

 

[Commander Clueless]

To be honest, I'd rather play Lupul and Kadri with someone who an play defense. Winnik seems like a good candidate. He has shown capable of potting a few points as well. Santorelli could be another really good option if he slides to wing.

Or maybe Booth. Can Booth play defense adequately?

I realize that may not be maximizing that $5.25 million to play Clarkson as a crash and banger, but it's where his play warranted him playing.

 

[jmart21]

To be honest, I'd rather play Lupul and Kadri with someone who an play defense. Winnik seems like a good candidate. He has shown capable of potting a few points as well. Santorelli could be another really good option if he slides to wing.

Or maybe Booth. Can Booth play defense adequately?

I realize that may not be maximizing that $5.25 million to play Clarkson as a crash and banger, but it's where his play warranted him playing.

I wouldn't be surprised if one of Santorelli or Kontiola (sp?) are playing in the top 6 with Kadri. We've also been hearing lots about Lupul maybe being with Bozak-Kessel to get him going.

At this point in time, there really are about a million ways this lineup could shape up. Very interesting time for sure!

 

[Commander Clueless]

I wouldn't be surprised if one of Santorelli or Kontiola (sp?) are playing in the top 6 with Kadri. We've also been hearing lots about Lupul maybe being with Bozak-Kessel to get him going.

At this point in time, there really are about a million ways this lineup could shape up. Very interesting time for sure!

Definitely.

I was all in favour of Lupul moving up in the offseason.

With JVR on Kadri's left, I could see them trying Clarkson on the right. Or maybe Holland, to see if he can get his offensive side going.

In the unlikely scenario that Nylander makes the team, JVR-Kadri-Nylander seems like a high potential 2nd line (with suspect D of course).

It was only one game, but if this was any indication of Kontiola's skating ability, I have a hard time imagining him being effective in that role. His skating was really awkward. Hopefully he was just mailing it in a bit, because it's pretty obvious he has talent.


How about:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Holland/Nylander
Booth-Santorelli-Winnik
Komarov-Kontiola-Clarkson

Carrick/Bodie/Ashton extras.

With the possibility of Holland and Clarkson switching lines depending on how they are doing? Of course, I might rather have Carrick in the 4th line roll. I'm a Carrick fan.

 

[Mess]

35 points and you consider that a bounce back year from a $5M plus winger - what a waste

Well considering he only had 11 points last year then if he tripled his output then that would be major improvement.

 

[StringsAttached]

Well considering he only had 11 points last year then if he tripled his output then that would be major improvement.

I'd actually be very satisfied with 35 points.

 

[Commander Clueless]

I'd actually be very satisfied with 35 points.

Particularly if it involves 20 goals.

 

[Menzinger]

Honestly, give him a ton of minutes to start the season, hope he rebounds and then trade him as soon as possible.