Oilers @ Leafs - Feb. 7th, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[Highlander]

I want Komrade Komorav back, Ovenkin stole his mojo.

[CarltonTheBear]

I want Komrade Komorav back, Ovenkin stole his mojo.

He really has been pretty invisible since returning. I know everybody kind of has recently but he's supposed to be the type of player who can go out and create some energy for the team during these stretches.

[Rebel_1812]

all those goals came off the rush.  The more things change the more they stay the same.  There players are good at scoring off the rush.  Maybe they have to cheat defensively to get more rush chances.

[Bullfrog]

I want Komrade Komorav back, Ovenkin stole his mojo.

He really has been pretty invisible since returning. I know everybody kind of has recently but he's supposed to be the type of player who can go out and create some energy for the team during these stretches.

It's also part of him coming down to earth too. I don't it will surprise many that his offensive production wasn't sustainable.

[CarltonTheBear]

Mark Masters @markhmasters  ·  12 minutes ago
Clarkson on why he was a scratch: "We lost [so] many games in a row so they were looking to do something"

Asked Clarkson specifically where he personally can improve: "As a team, we can do better ... hopefully get some bounces to go our way"

Way to own up to your play bud.

[L K]

Then pice of a leader and locker room presence.  He brings literally nothing to the organization.

[Frank E]

Let's not take too much away from a one sentence snippet from a twitter post.

[CarltonTheBear]

Let's not take too much away from a one sentence snippet from a twitter post.

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=747964&catid=802

Those snippets accurately reflect what Clarkson said when asked why he was scratched.

[Chris]

It's an interesting situation with Clarkson. I mean, he is what he is - I don't think the issue is lack of effort, it's just that he's not all that talented. And it's not (entirely) his fault that he was signed to that big contract.

So what is the benefit to sitting him out in favor of Smith? Does Smith bring more to the team? I don't think so. So was the benching a way to send a message that results matter, regardless of contract status? If so, perhaps it would be more effective to have benched Kessel or Bozak or JVR. I know we won the game, but it was Edmonton. The Marlies might have been able to beat them.

I could see sitting him in order to give a young player a shot, or if he is about to be traded (one can dream, right?)...but not clear about the motivation here. Guess we'll know more after the next few games against better teams.

[Frank E]

Let's not take too much away from a one sentence snippet from a twitter post.

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=747964&catid=802

Those snippets accurately reflect what Clarkson said when asked why he was scratched.

Well, he said it, but to me, that sentence doesn't reflect the tone of the interview.

I think we've already gone over the numbers that show that we can't expect much more from him in terms of production. 

I tend to get my back up when players like Clarkson command a high-dollar long-term contract, sign on the dotted line, then hide behind the "the Leafs offered the money, I didn't force them to."  If you want the big contract, you better be ready to take the criticism when you don't live up to it.

I'm in the camp that believes that he's actually trying.  I just don't think he's got the physical skill set to really contribute to scoring much more than what he's producing right now.  He's in for a very very rough 5 years of media questioning, if he survives that long without being bought out. 

[Strangelove]

It's an interesting situation with Clarkson. I mean, he is what he is - I don't think the issue is lack of effort, it's just that he's not all that talented. And it's not (entirely) his fault that he was signed to that big contract.

So what is the benefit to sitting him out in favor of Smith? Does Smith bring more to the team? I don't think so. So was the benching a way to send a message that results matter, regardless of contract status? If so, perhaps it would be more effective to have benched Kessel or Bozak or JVR. I know we won the game, but it was Edmonton. The Marlies might have been able to beat them.

I could see sitting him in order to give a young player a shot, or if he is about to be traded (one can dream, right?)...but not clear about the motivation here. Guess we'll know more after the next few games against better teams.

Smith plays a different position. But even beyond that, he knows how to play defence and is thereby useful as a role player. Clarkson does literally everything extremely poorly and fits in nowhere. His linemates and the team as a whole suffer when he plays.

[caveman]

Let's not take too much away from a one sentence snippet from a twitter post.

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=747964&catid=802

Those snippets accurately reflect what Clarkson said when asked why he was scratched.

Well, he said it, but to me, that sentence doesn't reflect the tone of the interview.

I think we've already gone over the numbers that show that we can't expect much more from him in terms of production. 

I tend to get my back up when players like Clarkson command a high-dollar long-term contract, sign on the dotted line, then hide behind the "the Leafs offered the money, I didn't force them to."  If you want the big contract, you better be ready to take the criticism when you don't live up to it.

I'm in the camp that believes that he's actually trying.  I just don't think he's got the physical skill set to really contribute to scoring much more than what he's producing right now.  He's in for a very very rough 5 years of media questioning, if he survives that long without being bought out.

Are you saying that Clarkson has used that excuse ? Cuz I thought he handled himself well in that interview.....

[Frank E]

Let's not take too much away from a one sentence snippet from a twitter post.

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=747964&catid=802

Those snippets accurately reflect what Clarkson said when asked why he was scratched.

Well, he said it, but to me, that sentence doesn't reflect the tone of the interview.

I think we've already gone over the numbers that show that we can't expect much more from him in terms of production. 

I tend to get my back up when players like Clarkson command a high-dollar long-term contract, sign on the dotted line, then hide behind the "the Leafs offered the money, I didn't force them to."  If you want the big contract, you better be ready to take the criticism when you don't live up to it.

I'm in the camp that believes that he's actually trying.  I just don't think he's got the physical skill set to really contribute to scoring much more than what he's producing right now.  He's in for a very very rough 5 years of media questioning, if he survives that long without being bought out.

Are you saying that Clarkson has used that excuse ? Cuz I thought he handled himself well in that interview.....

I too thought he handled himself just fine in that interview. 

I don't think he's used that excuse...yet.

[CarltonTheBear]

I think even if you put salary aside you can easily make the argument that Clarkson shouldn't be in the line-up, at least right now. He's competing directly with Panik and Booth for spots in the line-up. Panik has out played him all season long, and while Booth was a no-show for much of the season, he's been playing well the last few games and considering he's a UFA it'd be nice to try and ride that hotstreak into a deadline deal.

Trevor Smith is really the only player Clarkson might have an edge on, but Smith has been more effective on the PK than Clarkson has been on the PP. Smith is also a centre and by having him in the line-up you don't have to demote a guy like Holland or Santorelli to the 4th line. So the decision goes to Smith.

[CarltonTheBear]

I too thought he handled himself just fine in that interview. 

I don't think he's used that excuse...yet.

All I wanted him to say was that he had to play harder when he got his spot in the line-up back. He had two opportunities to say something like that and both times he directly placed the blame of his scratch on the fact that the whole team hasn't been playing well.