He had 30 goals last year and that's pretty good the way this league is falling. If he gets 20 plus this season how is he not a top winger? I don't think we need to get another top 6 winger if Kovy starts scoring eventually, the CBGB line doesn't play like scrubs (not that I'm worried about it but I'm just saying if they keep this up), and we can figure out how to make our current 4th line a 3rd line B like we did last playoffs (figure out who can play with Josefson and who replaces the goon during the playoffs) we should be fine with forward depth
Can Zubrus play on the top line and be efficient? Yes, but that doesn`t make him a top line player, per se.
Certain players play on the top line because they:
A) have a good streak going; ride the hot hand, why not
B) found some chemistry with other players on the top line/compliment their new linemates well
C) there`s no one else to play there so the most effective bottom six guy gets the spot
None of that means they should be considered a top line player. When you get one, he should easily replace the filler and outproduce him in the larger sample size. Consistency and longevity is the key. Let`s wait and see if he can get there, but I`m skeptical, for obvious reasons.
I think it's a mixture of puck luck and evolving his skillset at this point. I think he is a very solid 2nd line winger, but as far as a top forward he has quite a long way to go...maybe on a weaker team he would be solidified on the top line but as of now I'm amped he's playing so well...but I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Talking about Clarkie and not zubrus.
Should`ve added that too. Good point. Different teams have different expectations, strengths and weaknesses. That means some players play a bigger role than they would on a better team (and vice versa). Cup contenders do have a more balanced lineup.
It is definitely interesting to come lurk this board again and see Clarkson being talked about in several threads.
I don't think any one really expects that to happen, but c'est la vie.
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I don't think any one really expects that to happen, but c'est la vie.
It isn't exactly bad, he works hard and has a lot of heart...it is just interesting. I also happen to live in the land of people telling ME about Parise. It is great, I don't constantly want to end friendships with Wild fans on a daily basis.
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.
I don't dare move Clarkson away from Elias. As others have said he's not a legit first winger, you can just see it in his game. He's benefiting a lot from playing with Elias.
I'm definitely not ready to say "Parise who?" yet either.
Clarkson reminds me a little of Randy McKay in his prime. Average skater (at best!), not real fast, tough guy, gets himself in the right place at the the right time, 20-25 goal man. An ideal 3rd liner who can fill in on the 1st & 2nd in a pinch and not look like a disaster.
Clarkson reminds me a little of Randy McKay in his prime. Average skater (at best!), not real fast, tough guy, gets himself in the right place at the the right time, 20-25 goal man. An ideal 3rd liner who can fill in on the 1st & 2nd in a pinch and not look like a disaster.
That's as good a comparision as you'll ever see... good stuff Luke
Clarkson reminds me a little of Randy McKay in his prime. Average skater (at best!), not real fast, tough guy, gets himself in the right place at the the right time, 20-25 goal man. An ideal 3rd liner who can fill in on the 1st & 2nd in a pinch and not look like a disaster.
Yea a lot of posters, myself included have also agreed with and talked about that comparison
Hence why Clarkson has been my favorite guy on the team for 4-5 years
Clarkson has some Adam Graves & Tim Kerr in his game. He's not a legit 1st line winger, but he does possess above average hands and incredible anticipation, in terms of freeing himself at the right time in front of the net.
If you remember some of the goals McKay scored he had some Clarkson like goals too. Stuff that made you think ''How does the puck always find his stick in the weirdest of times?'' He also had some nice deflections too.
Clarkson is more of a classic agitator, McKay was more of a classic enforcer (especially pre 96)...You look at McKay's fight card in his early days he was fighting people like Dave Brown, Marty McSorely and Stu Grimson....That's not Clarkson's game
You never saw McKay chirping the opponent. That is sort of Clarkson's game.
Clarkson is more of a classic agitator, McKay was more of a classic enforcer (especially pre 96)...You look at McKay's fight card in his early days he was fighting people like Dave Brown, Marty McSorely and Stu Grimson....That's not Clarkson's game
You never saw McKay chirping the opponent. That is sort of Clarkson's game.
