I suppose my problem is this....Is this the best deal CBJ could have made in this scenario? So you set out with the intention to trade Horton and essentially give a team a free salary dump on a player they don't want. Clarkson is the best you can do?
- vertigo1061

Good question, but I don't see anyone else out there with a contract they don't like who is willing to pay money for a player who can't play? The only name I can think of is Brad Richards, but LA let him go. We could take RJ back, but is he better than Clarkson?

Obviously I don't know the future, but I am willing to believe Clarkson will be a better player in Columbus than he was in Toronto. Who wouldn't be a better player after being freed from being the guest of honor at a cannibal convention every night you step on your home ice?

I've read too much trash on this site from Toronto fans dumping on every player they have since Wendell Clark retired, and they hated him at times during his career. We will find Clarkson is not as bad as advertized, and he's better for us than paying a good man to try and rehab in Florida.

Obviously somebody messed up the insurance deal with Horton in the first place, and someone needs to pay a price for that, unless nobody would insure him. But this seems to me to be the best they could find, and the CBJ will find a way to overcome this contract in the future.

I believe CBJ couldn't insure Horty because he was injured when the season started- when he signed the contract. Shoulder issue I believe. A tragedy- great player, complete beast in the playoffs.

Trade seems like a win win...

I believe CBJ couldn't insure Horty because he was injured when the season starts. Shoulder issue I believe. A tragedy- great player, complete beast in the playoffs.

Trade seems like a win win...
- PoketheBear

It is a win win, why are people complaining!!

Good question, but I don't see anyone else out there with a contract they don't like who is willing to pay money for a player who can't play? The only name I can think of is Brad Richards, but LA let him go. We could take RJ back, but is he better than Clarkson?

Obviously I don't know the future, but I am willing to believe Clarkson will be a better player in Columbus than he was in Toronto. Who wouldn't be a better player after being freed from being the guest of honor at a cannibal convention every night you step on your home ice?

I've read too much trash on this site from Toronto fans dumping on every player they have since Wendell Clark retired, and they hated him at times during his career. We will find Clarkson is not as bad as advertized, and he's better for us than paying a good man to try and rehab in Florida.

Obviously somebody messed up the insurance deal with Horton in the first place, and someone needs to pay a price for that, unless nobody would insure him. But this seems to me to be the best they could find, and the CBJ will find a way to overcome this contract in the future.
- jkumpire

To follow up on your last paragraph there is always the hope we might get NJ Clarkson, playing for the leafs is like having your skull in a vice Grip day and night , you're either a God or public enemy number one.

That being said, I really believe this sort of situation is unique given the deep pockets the leafs have, only two other teams come to mind who have the same wiggle power and those are the Habs and Rangers, and both those teams are having success , it's not like they have a top paid player grossly underpreforming like Clarkson,honestly I think this is truly the only move we can make.

Richards is an interesting case given he is signed for 6 more years I believe versus Clarkson at 4 years.

To follow up on your last paragraph there is always the hope we might get NJ Clarkson, playing for the leafs is like having your skull in a vice Grip day and night , you're either a God or public enemy number one.

That being said, I really believe this sort of situation is unique given the deep pockets the leafs have, only two other teams come to mind who have the same wiggle power and those are the Habs and Rangers, and both those teams are having success , it's not like they have a top paid player grossly underpreforming like Clarkson,honestly I think this is truly the only move we can make.

Richards is an interesting case given he is signed for 6 more years I believe versus Clarkson at 4 years.
- Alexzanki

In Clarksons big season he spent a large amount of time with Patrik Elias which obviously helped his numbers. If you're expecting 10-15 goals you won't be disappointed if you expect him to turn into Lucic or Simmonds now that he's out of Toronto you will be disappointed.

In Clarksons big season he spent a large amount of time with Patrik Elias which obviously helped his numbers. If you're expecting 10-15 goals you won't be disappointed if you expect him to turn into Lucic or Simmonds now that he's out of Toronto you will be disappointed.
- smellmyfinger

I think 15-20 playing with guys like Duby or Hartnell on the second line can be more realistic.

Nonis took almost two years to fix a mistake.
He should receive faint praise at most.
- Leafs__Meh_Okay

Twitter - "Praising Dave Nonis for this Clarkson deal is like praising a guy for doing a really great job of cleaning up after he puked on your floor."

Maybe toronto can use that cap space to woo a big time free agent? With the winning attitude and commitment to ice a competitive team this should be...oh wait.

I think 15-20 playing with guys like Duby or Hartnell on the second line can be more realistic.
- Alexzanki

Then I would brace myself for disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I liked Clarkson and he was always entertaining to watch, but prior to having Elias and Henrique feed him he wasn't very good offensively.

Thank you.

Still trying to figure out how toronto trading 6 million dollars in cap space for a dead body isn't circumventing the cap?
- devfan30

there is a possibility horton can come back and play again its slim but there, toronto traded for an injured player theres nothing in the rules against it, if horton returns from injury then he counts against the cap, philly could trade pronger if they wanted boston could trade savard but they like having the LTIR space so wont.

there is a possibility horton can come back and play again its slim but there, toronto traded for an injured player theres nothing in the rules against it, if horton returns from injury then he counts against the cap, philly could trade pronger if they wanted boston could trade savard but they like having the LTIR space so wont.
- BuzzKiller

Were Pronger and Savard's contracts insured though?

Secondly, both Boston and Philly have MUCH deeper pockets than Columbus does, therein lies the difference.

Horton's salary by year: 14-15: 6.0 mil 15-16: 6.0 16-17: 6.0 17-18: 6.0 18-19: 4.5 19-20: 3.6 Leafs' will pay even if on LTIR

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 27, 2015

This makes my head hurt. So the leafs still have to pay it, but it won't against the cap?

Horton's salary by year:

14-15: 6.0 mil
15-16: 6.0
16-17: 6.0
17-18: 6.0
18-19: 4.5
19-20: 3.6

Leafs' will pay even if on LTIR

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 27, 2015

This makes my head hurt. So the leafs still have to pay it, but it won't against the cap?
- vertigo1061

Yes. LTIR means that salary is paid but cap hit does not count due to player not being on the active roster.

Todd Cordell: Blue Jackets Make Trade With Maple Leafs, Swap Horton For Clarkson
- Todd-Cordell

I don't understand all the negative comments on this, yes they traded for a big contract for an underperforming player but you are paying that money anyway, isn't it better to actually have someone (anyone) actually playing some hockey while being paid that money???

I see this as a win/win, Toronto unloads that contact and we can put Horton on LTIR and clear the space, Columbus gets a warm body that actually has a functioning back. I think Clarkson will do better in Columbus than he did in Toronto. All in all this is a genius hockey move by both GM's

Translation #2 - Your done with us Clarkson - either we will wave you into the minors or you can take your chances with a new start in Columbus. Maybe TO initiated this out of respect for Clarkson.
- Lostinarink

According to Bob Mckenzie it was Columbus who initiated the deal, they called and wanted Clarkson.

According to Bob Mckenzie it was Columbus who initiated the deal, they called and wanted Clarkson.
- justmike

Yeah , then I wonder why everyone is calling Nonis a genius for a situation of incredible circumstances.

This is like celebrating a guy that does nothing expecting positive results.

If I'm a Colombus fan I'm pissed right now. GM Kekalainen walked in the store, saw Clarkson on the shelf and the features on the package said:

-Wrong side of 30.

-Nonexistent foot speed.

-Nauseating contract.

-Already limited offense declining.

and

-Can put on silly tantrums that may result in ridiculous suspensions.

Kekalainen: "I'LL TAKE IT!!!"


Sorry Jacket fans but if Horton was such a Burden he should have traded him for Mike Richards weeks ago.

Mike Richards>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Clarkson

If I'm a Colombus fan I'm pissed right now. GM Kekalainen walked in the store, saw Clarkson on the shelf and the features on the package said:

-Wrong side of 30.

-Nonexistent foot speed.

-Nauseating contract.

-Already limited offense declining.

and

-Can put on silly tantrums that may result in ridiculous suspensions.

Kekalainen: "I'LL TAKE IT!!!"


Sorry Jacket fans but if Horton was such a Burden he should have traded him for Mike Richards weeks ago.

Mike Richards>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Clarkson
- habfanforever

You make it sound so easy. Were the Kings interested in paying Horton to sit at home?? Can't just play EA GM here and expect everything to work out the way you want. Toronto was willing and it worked out. Great deal for both teams today. Leafs needed him gone and Columbus gets a guy who is at least in the line up. Good luck

You make it sound so easy. Were the Kings interested in paying Horton to sit at home?? Can't just play EA GM here and expect everything to work out the way you want. Toronto was willing and it worked out. Great deal for both teams today. Leafs needed him gone and Columbus gets a guy who is at least in the line up. Good luck
- GOLEAFS71

The Kings, like the Leafs are a cap team and can therefore place Horton on LTIR

In Clarksons big season he spent a large amount of time with Patrik Elias which obviously helped his numbers. If you're expecting 10-15 goals you won't be disappointed if you expect him to turn into Lucic or Simmonds now that he's out of Toronto you will be disappointed.
- smellmyfinger

Clarkson was one of a few leafs who gave a honest effort every night. He didn't mail it in. The trouble was he got paid the money of a 30 goal scorer and didn't come close to being one. Had he been paid 2.5 mil a year the fans would have liked him.

He won't be a top 6 guy but will be a good 3rd liner who pots some goals but will hit guys, and go in the dirty areas and drop the gloves if need be. He will make your team better.

The Kings, like the Leafs are a cap team and can therefore place Horton on LTIR
- habfanforever

They still have to pay the guy even though he's not playing you know? Lots of teams are cap teams but not many of them have the extra wealth to throw to a guy who is nevee going to play again.

They still have to pay the guy even though he's not playing you know? Lots of teams are cap teams but not many of them have the extra wealth to throw to a guy who is nevee going to play again.
- GOLEAFS71

The Kings are one of those teams, just saying Kekalainen missed the boat on this one.

The Kings are one of those teams, just saying Kekalainen missed the boat on this one.
- habfanforever

How do you know the Kings would be one of those teams? You have no idea that's true. Only thing we do know is that the leafs were 100% one of those teams.

They still have to pay the guy even though he's not playing you know? Lots of teams are cap teams but not many of them have the extra wealth to throw to a guy who is nevee going to play again.
- GOLEAFS71

Also, although it is likely Horton may never play again it is not a foregone conclusion. If he does somehow get healthy, the Leafs have yet another body to move for assets. To call this trade an even trade and say the Leafs did not clearly win it hands down is ridiculous.