anyone have a gif(or whatever) of Clarkson putting the puck in the Islander net after the whistle from a couple games back.
Thought that was awesome.
Thought that was awesome.
But when that "nice start" is on the heels of a 30 goal season(1 less then zachy poo) I don't think we should laugh off the possibilities.
a little simple math.
30 teams, 30 top lines, 3 players per line. That's 90 top line players in the league.
Clarkson was in the top 30 of goals scored last year. Yet guys laugh at the proposition of him as a top line player. Think he's better suited for 3rd line?
Devils fans need to get over the idea of Clarkson as a scrappy guy who can't skate and chips in a goal here and there.
30 teams, 30 top lines, 3 players per line. That's 90 top line players in the league.
Clarkson was in the top 30 of goals scored last year. Yet guys laugh at the proposition of him as a top line player. Think he's better suited for 3rd line?
Devils fans need to get over the idea of Clarkson as a scrappy guy who can't skate and chips in a goal here and there.
- Feb 5, 2010
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If anyone wants to believe Clarkson is anywhere near the player Parise is so be it. Just understand I will from then on view you as crazy. Clarkson simply is not and never will be as good as Zach. He's not as talented, not nearly as good a skater, doesn't have a great shot, generally does not face opponents best defense pairings or forwards, not as good a passer, and not as tenacious; simply not as good.
DerekDevils30
Registered User
Clarkson is basically a possession machine and a garbageman. Although he does get off the odd beautiful shot which makes you scratch your head.
Zach was great around the net, good skater, certainly tenacious, but he did not have a great shot, wasn't a great passer.
Is Clarkson as good? Nah. But did he, playing with nowhere near the talent that Zach did,(not to mention less ice time and pp time) score 1 less goal last year? yup.
- Feb 5, 2010
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Don't get me wrong. I love Clarkson and what he brings as a player, but I'd much rather have a Parise on my team than a Clarkson. Parise is a much more impactful player because he is better in every aspect of the game.
And while zachs shot might not be elite, its much better than Clarksons. Don't forget Zach always faced the best competition while Clarkson faced 2nd and 3rd liners primarily.
And while zachs shot might not be elite, its much better than Clarksons. Don't forget Zach always faced the best competition while Clarkson faced 2nd and 3rd liners primarily.
- May 1, 2011
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Clarkson is more of a clutch player than Parise. Not talking in the playoffs (David was revealed to have been playing with a broken foot) but how many times did we see Clarkson score a big goal last year that was much more meaningful than Parise? That tying goal against the Rangers last year comes to mind, as ridiculous as that bounce was.
Not saying he's better than Parise. Though he does have that knack for much more timely goals.
Not saying he's better than Parise. Though he does have that knack for much more timely goals.
- Feb 5, 2010
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Most any player has more of a knack for scoring clutch goals than Zach. He tended to dissapear come playoff time I'll give you that.
DerekDevils30
Registered User
Would be great to still have Zach on this team, no doubt about it. Very underrated playmaker, I might add. Dished out some beauties last season. Was a bizarre summer seeing him leave. Threw away the captaincy from the team that drafted him and put him in a spot to succeed. Oh well.
- May 1, 2011
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I think we're a Cup contender again with him on this team right now. All in all my biggest worry about him leaving was what were we gonna do to replace his production? Give Tedenby the chance to do it? My worst nightmare came true and we did try exactly that.
Tundra
Registered User
- Oct 20, 2005
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Imagine if we had a healthy Clarkson and Kovy in the Finals?? What could have been??
7 game winners for Clarkson last year, compared to Zach's 3. Clarkson also has him double up this year t 2 to 1.
Surprisingly Clarkson also produced more on the power play last year with 8 goals and 8 assists, compared to Zach's 7 and 7.
DerekDevils30
Registered User
I think we're a Cup contender again with him on this team right now. All in all my biggest worry about him leaving was what were we gonna do to replace his production? Give Tedenby the chance to do it? My worst nightmare came true and we did try exactly that.
Agreed. Although he didn't necessarily come through in the biggest moments all the time, he was really the engine that drove our forecheck. Still enjoy watching the guy play for the Wild but would absolutely love if the Devils won a cup in the next couple of seasons to rub it in his face. Although he's set for life with his current contract, you know it would eat him up inside if the Devils go on a successful run soon.
I think we're a Cup contender again with him on this team right now. All in all my biggest worry about him leaving was what were we gonna do to replace his production? Give Tedenby the chance to do it? My worst nightmare came true and we did try exactly that.
That was a half hearted effort by the Devils. Threw it at the wall it didn't stick.
But I think the clear replacement for Zach, or at least the way we were to upgrade our fwd corps, would be via trade. Defensemen for a fwd was, and continues to be the obvious move.
aboriginal
lou ****ing sucks
I think we're a Cup contender again with him on this team right now. All in all my biggest worry about him leaving was what were we gonna do to replace his production? Give Tedenby the chance to do it? My worst nightmare came true and we did try exactly that.
ive been ringing this same bell since jump street as well. some of the trade suggestions arent bad per se, but replacing his productivity they wont cut it. and teddy, well, at least hes adorable.
Whoa whoa whoa. Parise is an EXCELLENT passer. His playmaking was a real underrated aspect of his game.
- May 1, 2011
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After comparing the way our season has started to theirs, I think he would have been better off with us but the jury is still out. There have already been at least 2 games where they lost that they scored just a goal, and he was the lone goal scorer. I think there may have also been a game where they won 1-0 where he was the only goal scorer. They were winning a lot of close low scoring games early last season as well, but it didn't last.
manilaNJ
Optimism: Unwavering
Asking if Clarkson can replace Parise's spot in the lineup is one thing...
...trying to compare the two as players just kind of makes my head hurt.
Not to say that Clarkson isn't a completely valuable player and rare commodity that should be heralded on the team, but it's not a fair comparison at all.
...trying to compare the two as players just kind of makes my head hurt.
Not to say that Clarkson isn't a completely valuable player and rare commodity that should be heralded on the team, but it's not a fair comparison at all.
- May 1, 2011
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I'm just tired of this ''Clarkson belongs on the 3rd line'' stuff. Don't get me wrong I'd love to have the depth to put him back there, and I don't think he'll keep up this current streak he's on. I just don't know whats wrong with him on the 2nd line.
Good playmaker. Not a great playmaker. I think Elias is pretty clearly a better playmaker, yet still would not call him a great playmaker.
And it should be noted I'm defending Clarkson here so I'm taking some shots at the dear departed one.
manilaNJ
Optimism: Unwavering
I don't think anyone has a problem with him on the second line.. this is twice he's excelled with Elias as a linemate. He produces on the second line and there's no denying that.
As I said before, though, he is the PERFECT third liner. A true compliment on the 2nd line, but in a perfect world, he's on the 3rd.
I don't know how to describe it, I wouldn't call him a play maker.
But he's really good at driving the play. He's one of the best at keeping pucks alive and keeping the play moving so sustain pressure.
Not because of great passing ability, but because of how relentless he attacks the puck. That's the part of his game that elevates all the rest of his skills.
I don't think there's any question Parise would have had a better start here. Parise - Zajac - Kovalchuk to start the season PLUS moving Zubrus down to the second or third line where he's more suited? This team would look GREAT.
I'm glad we didn't keep Parise at that length, but he would fix almost all of our forward problems this and next season if he had stayed.
