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Despite ‘nightmare’ season, Clarkson excited for future

Toronto Maple Leafs v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: David Clarkson #71 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates down the ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Verizon Center on January 10, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

G Fiume

You won’t find many people that are willing to defend David Clarkson’s production in 2013-14, especially given that Clarkson himself openly acknowledged that things didn’t go well.

“It’s easy to have excuses, but you go back to work,” said Clarkson, per the Toronto Sun. “Everybody goes through tough times, tough days and tough years. From top to bottom, that was something I’ve never been through. Suspended, injured and to come back injured again trying to play ... it was just a nightmare.”

He ended up with just five goals and 11 points in 60 games, which is obviously not what the Leafs were hoping for when they signed him to a seven-year, $36.75 million contract in the summer of 2013.

Clarkson has gotten a chance to spend time with his young family over the summer, but he’s also focused on his training with Andy O‘Brien, who works with Sidney Crosby among others. He’s had a chance to talk with team president Brendan Shanahan as well, who expects Clarkson to improve substantially in 2014-15.

In spite of what happened, the 30-year-old forward remains equally upbeat.

“Obviously there were a lot of tough breaks that went on for me, but at the end of the day, I feel great and I’m excited for what’s ahead,” Clarkson said. “I’m just looking forward to getting this started.”

Clarkson scored 30 goals with the Devils in 2011-12, but that’s also the only time he even reached the 20-goal mark. He’s a gritty player, but he still needs to prove that he can be a consistent offensive contributor as well.

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