Clarkson was only three games into his tenure with the Jackets when he tore his oblique last March, ending his season. He comes to Columbus after two horrendously ineffectual years with the Maple Leafs, following what's become a trend of ex-Devils signing big contracts with other teams and then tanking completely. Clarkson is expected to serve as the third-line right winger in his new home, so he'll be hard pressed to provide much from a fantasy perspective outside of help with PIM and hits, and even those contributions could be limited if he misses significant time to injury, as he has the last two seasons.
Can this guy get back to what made him successful? Clarkson's first season in Toronto can only be described as an abject failure. It started with a bone-headed, 10-game suspension right out of the gate, and was punctuated with injury after injury. When it was all said and done, Clarkson finished with an abysmal one point in his last 22 games. We haven't even talked about his awkward fit with every set of forwards his coach offered up. He failed in Toronto, in part because he succumbed to the bright lights and shiny allure of his hometown. He tried to be something he wasn't, and still isn't. He was successful in New Jersey when he got his nose dirty, ground guys into the wall, drove the net and carried a lunch pail to the rink every night. He'll slot into the lineup on the Buds' third line and he'll return to 20-plus goals and near-40 points if he gets back to his grinding ways. We think this summer will have provided him with perspective; we'll see if fall brings him linemates that fit. Draft him with caution, but snap him off the wire at the first sign of sandpaper.
Clarkson was the coveted free agent this past summer and he passed up several lucrative offers to go home to Toronto ... for the next seven years. Wow -- not bad for a 29-year-old power winger with six seasons under his belt, but just one with more than 32 points. Sure, he tallied 30 goals two seasons ago, but that was on a Jersey squad with an uber-potent power play. Still, he'll be a god in Toronto for his willingness to pound the body, drop the gloves and score some goals along the way. Leafs' fans see the second coming of their beloved Wendel Clark. We see a guy who might net you 25 goals and low-40s points, but also add at least 130 PIMs and 200 hits. Be sure to rank him appropriately on your cheat sheets, particularly if your league doesn't count the latter two categories.
Clarkson established himself as one of New Jersey’s leaders last season while handsomely rewarding those poolies who snagged him on waivers or with one of their last picks. Clarkson finished the season with 30 goals, 46 points and 138 penalty minutes, putting him alongside Philadelphia’s Scott Hartnell and Anaheim’s Corey Perry as the only players in the NHL to score 30 goals and accrue 100-plus penalty minutes. Unlike Perry and Hartnell, Clarkson does not have nearly as much value in leagues that do not reward penalty minutes. Do not to overpay for Clarkson’s numbers from last season, but those in leagues that count penalty minutes will definitely want to have him on their radar come draft day. Expect around 25 goals with a boatload of penalty minutes.
Clarkson is a power forward who could slot in on a scoring line this season. He has 20-goal potential and his versatility should come in handy for new coach Peter DeBoer, though he'll help fantasy owners the most in the penalty minutes category. Clarkson has 554 penalty minutes in 298 games in the NHL.
Before missing about half the season due to a leg injury, Clarkson was on pace for a career season in terms of goals and penalty minutes. Clarkson's value lies only in leagues that positively reward penalty minutes. A full season for Clarkson could see 20 goals and 40 points, as well as 150-plus penalty minutes. He's a good value in leagues that reward penalty minutes, plus he sees power play time.
Looking at Clarkson’s 17-15-32 stat line isn’t the most impressive sight for a fantasy owner, but factoring in his 164 penalty minutes makes him a bargain in leagues that award pugilism. Clarkson sees power-play time and is a large presence in front of the goal. He’ll be used in many situations and has a shot at posting 20 goals this season with what is sure to be a boatload of penalty minutes. You could do much worse than adding him in the late rounds of your draft; however, his value falls in leagues that don’t include penalty minutes.
Looking at Clarkson’s 17-15-32 stat line isn’t the most impressive sight for a fantasy owner, but factoring in his 164 penalty minutes makes him a bargain in leagues that count penalty minutes. Clarkson sees power play time and is a large presence in front of the goal. He’ll be used in many situations and has a shot at posting 20 goals this season with what is sure to be a boatload of penalty minutes. You could do much worse than adding him in the late rounds of your draft.
Clarkson established himself as one of the team's bruisers, but the Devils were hoping for more offensively out of the Toronto native than nine goals and 22 points. If he starts to play more consistently offensively, Clarkson will have some value in deep leagues that reward penalty minutes.
Clarkson likely won't be much a fantasy option despite starting the season with the big club.
