TORONTO -- Seven years and US$36.75 million set the price of expectations for David Clarkson. When Clarkson signed with the Maple Leafs on the first day of free agency, he accepted the scrutiny that comes with that term and substantial price tag in arguably the NHLs toughest market. The high standard of success hell be held to this season and in the coming years doesnt bother him. "I really dont think about it, to be honest with you," Clarkson said. "Ive played the same way my whole life. Ive played that style of hockey and its gotten me to where I am. All Im going to do is go out every night, give everything I can. And am I going to be perfect? No, Im going to make mistakes. But Im going to play that same style of hockey that got me here." Thats the right mind-set for Clarkson, a one-time 30-goal scorer for the New Jersey Devils who will be counted on to score close to that in Toronto. But Philadelphia Flyers left-winger Scott Hartnell has been there, done that with a similar salary bump after a trade from the Nashville Predators and figures it will be an adjustment for Clarkson. "It definitely is a little added pressure, I think," Hartnell said Monday. "And going to Philadelphia, for myself, was obviously a way bigger market than Nashville was. You can say the same for Clarkson, going from the Devils where theres not much media that Ive noticed, and coming to Toronto where you take a sip of a beer and (its reported like) youre drunk the night before the game." Clarkson maintained that he doesnt read or watch anything about him that riles up the hype. But the local boy wasnt blind to the difference between playing in New Jersey and Toronto. "When he made the decision to come back to Toronto here, I think obviously the first thing he took into consideration was all the expectations here and media how it could be like to be a Leaf," said younger brother Doug Clarkson, whos in training camp with the Flyers. "I just said to him, they love that style that he plays and I know (coach Randy) Carlyle likes that style. Hes been the same since junior; I dont really think hes changed that much since he came into the league his first year." Listen to Carlyle and general manager Dave Nonis, and thats what the Leafs want. Hartnell called Clarkson "basically the epitome of a power forward," and his game is as much about crashing the net as it is putting the puck into it. Counting $5.25 million against the salary cap this season certainly makes Clarkson a target if he doesnt score 20-plus goals, and Carlyle knows its the job of the coaching staff to keep the 29-year-old winger from putting too much onus on himself. "I think that theres a trap at times when players do change teams and contracts become something notable, the first thing they try to do is change the way they play," Carlyle said. "Thats one thing that we want to guard against that we want David Clarkson to play the way hes capable of playing and (do) the things he normally does, not try to be anything more than what hes been before." Clarkson has 97 goals and 73 assists in 426 NHL games and is hardly an offensive superstar. Carlyle pointed to some "intangibles" Clarkson brings beyond scoring. "Hes a big body in front of the net," Hartnell said. "He scored lots of goals against us, just being there causing havoc in front. Hes got a quick release, a guy that can hit and fight." On a team with Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren, Clarkson wont be leaned on to fight too often. But hell be expected to produce like he did in New Jersey. Clarkson credited teammates for helping him to 30 goals and brushed off the weight of the pressure to perform. "The pressure of everything, you put pressure on yourself as a player every day to do well," he said. "You realize were lucky to be athletes, but at the end of the day you want to do well. I think if you put in the work in the summer and you play hard every night, the success comes." That kind of attitude is why Doug Clarkson isnt worried about his brother trying to live up to expectations. "Hes always been good with people and good around people," Doug Clarkson said. "People have a lot of respect for him just because thats the way he is. It doesnt matter what the score is, if youre losing a ton or what, he goes out there and plays hard." As long as the effort is there, David Clarkson isnt worried about media members -- "You guys dont bug me, not at all," he said. Clarkson is confident hell be able to deflect the attention. "Im just looking forward to whats ahead, and pressure from media and fans I dont feel at all because when I leave here I go home to my family and thats all I do and thats all that matters," he said. "But I will go out there and play hard every night. Thats it." . -- The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a US$2 million, one-year contract, bolstering their depleted starting rotation. . This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling.
http://www.cheapmapleleafsjerseysauthen ... ncy-jersey. The Senators will put the busy off-season and training camp behind them when they open their regular season on the road. They kick things off Friday against the Buffalo Sabres and then head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. . Brad Malone had the other goal for the Monsters (1-1-0), while Elliott chipped in an assist for a three-point night and the games first star. Bryan Lerg also had two assists. Corban Knight and Max Reinhart scored for the Heat (1-1-0), who opened their season Friday with a 5-2 win over the Monsters in Cleveland. . Cellino was ordered by a judge to pay a 600,000 euro ($800,000) fine for evading import taxes on a yacht he purchased in the United States and brought to Italy, the ANSA news agency reported.Several Hurricanes players face disciplinary action after breaching team protocols before their thrashing by the Sharks in South Africa last weekend. According to reports in New Zealand, up to five players could be sidelined from this Saturdays match against the Reds, which is live on Sky Sports 3 HD.A brief team statement said a small group of players breached team protocol while the squad were in South Africa. The matter has been dealt with internally and Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd will be happy to discuss it further at (Thursdays) scheduled media session once the team to play the Reds in Wellington on Saturday has been named.Hurricanes assistant coach Jason Holland the players broke a curfew but he would not identify those involved.Well wait until we see where we are before we talk about who it is, Holland told Radio Sport.If [dropping players] is the decision we come to, it will be pretty obvious.We set pretty high standards around our protocols and if there are any little minor discretions there will be consequences. Sean Fitzpatrick picks out the biggest and hardest hits from round 11 of Super Rugby The Hurricanes, who two weeks ago beat the Lions 50-17, were beaten by the Sharks 32-15 and slipped from third to fourth in the New Zealand Conference.ddddddddddddt a team meeting in Wellington, captain Dane Coles was reluctant to discuss the incident before the side to play the Reds was finalised.Well wait until the team is named, he said. Well be able to answer some questions from there. Also See: WATCH: Super Rugby hits WATCH: Super Rugby tries Super Rugby fixtures Super Rugby tables ' ' '
