Parise who? Is Clarkson becoming a legit first line winger?
 

The stats so far sure indicate as such, but it hasn't even been a full month yet, so I'm cautiously optimistic, but I can't help but think that we just tapped into Clarky's true potential. What do other people think?

Let's keep in mind seven goals in nine games is ridiculous, hot start or not.

I think he's hot right now and loves playing for Pete, but I really need to see how he performs the rest of the season before I can call him a solid top line guy (who should be paid as such).. That said, the biggest difference I feel between Zach and him is that he really does want to come back next year :P

I really want to say it's just a fluke but the longer this goes on, the harder that is to say.

Since shortening his stick, the guy has consistently found the back of the net. I think 30 goals is his ceiling and he's better on the 2nd line but he's proving his worth big time.

Parise > Clarkson.


The Devils still need a legit top 6 guy.

Henrique is our replacement for Parise. :p

We do need one more top 6 guy, but that's really so we can bump Zubrus down to 2nd or 3rd line IMO. People at the start of the season wanted Clarkson moved down to 3rd line but I don't think that's happening anymore.

Well to me if the Devils want to be a cup contender, Clarkson's better suited for the 3rd line.

100% - clarkson is the new and improved zubrus.

Defense rests it's case (re: the other thread).

Eh.. I mean every team would like to have legit top 6 wingers in the bottom 6 for crazy depth but Clarkson has been playing great. Spot in the top 6 is his to lose. If the Devils acquire a top 6 winger, Zubrus is the odd man out right now.

Zubrus is a third liner or borderline second liner. I'd say Clarkson should be playing on the first line with Kovalchuk (which also frees up Kovy to play on his natural wing). See how he responds. If not, keep him with Elias. But I don't think he should be going back to the third line anytime soon.

Clarkson is not a legit top line winger. He may serve in the place of one but if you were drawing up the profile of a top line winger, Clarkie would be missing several check marks in the boxes. Legit top 6 winger is as far as I can honestly place him.

He is performing beyond his skillsets and we should just enjoy that without trying to claim he is something he isn't. I agree that Henrique is the Parise replacement and even that may be a reach.

I welcome him to continue to put of the stats of a 1st line winger though since ours currently has 1 pt in the last 6 games.

haha Clarkson is no where near Parise, but I see him as a holmstrom 2.0 more goals/less assits.

Wow he's a 1st line winger now eh?

Too soon to say for Henrique. Over time? Absolutely, but for the present, I think it's Clarkson.

There's no doubt that Clarkson's offensive outburst has eased the transition of losing Parise. Maybe his production is part of the chemistry with Elias and Zajac, or maybe he deserves some first line time. I'm down for either. I think he has earned the right to show us what he can do.

No. He's not.

Love. This. Post.

He's a legitimate scoring threat, but a first line wing? Yeah, no.

When Clarkson puts up points like this over a whole season against top competition, then yes. But I don't think that's gonna happen. Right now, Clarkson is the perfect depth guy. He's proved he's not the fall down, fluke goal, no passing grinder that many pegged him for. He's also proven he can handle playing offensive minutes with good players. But there's a long way to go between that and a first line winger. On my ideal team, he'd still be a 2nd/3rd line tweener.

Also, think about the geezer lines Elias has led the past few years. EVERYONE plays well with Elias.

lol I meant Clarkson's a 3rd liner to me, a great one but still. Zubrus does all the other little things right besides scoring goals. I would keep him in the top 6

After less than 10 games into the season! :facepalm:

He`s not even a real (read established) top6 player (yet?), but hey, he plays like one at the moment and I`ll take it.

Let's not go overboard here.

Clarkson is having a wonderfull start to the season but he's by no means a top line winger. He's a solid 2nd liner and a fantastic 3rd liner.

80mil/10 yr

ROFL. :devdance:

With a full NMC and some stocks

and a company helicoptre

And a personal assistant. And by assistant I mean a hooker.