Since when did Clarkson become worth $6 million+???

[Dr. Doom]

Been wondering if this guy is going to sign in Toronto so I looked on TSN and nearly lost my lunch reading this:

Dreger told TSN Radio 1050 that the Toronto Maple Leafs are very keen on free agent winger David Clarkson and have also expressed interest in defenceman Rob Scuderi. Dreger says Clarkson is going to get a handsome contract perhaps somewhere north of $6 million per year, but Toronto will only sign Clarkson "if the fit is right financially."

Am I reading this correctly? Since when did a player like this become worth $6 million a season? Are teams not learning anything from all of these buyouts going on??

[ClubFlames]

Terrible FA market + local Toronto boy who Leafs will overpay for = $6 mill third line winger.

[SportsJunky]

Well, it's all relative I guess but relatively speaking, whoever signs him to 6 mil plus is a moron. I like his game a lot but the way his offence tailed off last year, in a contract year, should be concerning to the teams looking at him. Was he playing with an injury? He's almost 30 right?

[RyZ]

Bobby Holik v2.0 (in terms of contract). I bet he gets bought out a few years down the road at that contract.

[Stay Golden]

If Clarkson gets 6m per it will be 2.5m over what he is worth. Fools gold.

[Bertuzzied]

He will be worth $6mil when the salary cap hits $90 mil.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Very comparable to Glencross, in my opinion.

Glencross is worth a lot more his $2.5m, but nowhere near $6m.

I'd say they're both in the $4m range, give or take a little based on team needs.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Bobby Holik v2.0 (in terms of contract). I bet he gets bought out a few years down the road at that contract.

Mark my words, Clarkson is quickly going to become THE poster boy around the league for albatross contracts. Career 3rd liner who had a flash in the pan season of 30 goals? Age 29? You can't script it better then that. Clarkson knows it too and must be itching for tomorrow to roll around.

[trackercowe]

Oh man terrible news, now we're going to have to hear about Clarkson every night on Coach's Corner. Cherry is already obsessed about Clarkson, imagine how bad it will get with him playing for the stinkin' Leafs?

And six million is too much, somewhere in the 5 range would be fair, but yeah the weak UFA market set his value probably one million more than his actual value. The Leafs obviously think they have a chance at contending next year (doubt they actually do), and don't really have to assets to trade for players like Clarkson.

[cowtown75]

I would love to have the guy, but that's too much $$

[Bench Warmer]

Somebody is going to significantly overpay for Clarkson. He started this past season looking like Cam Neely (10 goals in his first 14 games) and finished horribly (5 goals in the last 34). I think he's a great grit guy who'll cash in some goals but he's a 3rd liner who's going to get top 4/5 dollars...

[drPepper1]

KHL might offer him 6mill. Any GM who even considers to pay him that in the NHL should be fired

[YYC in LAX]

These are the kind of deals that get your buried in the minors eventually like Wade Redden.

[Muffins]

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

These are the kind of deals that get your buried in the minors eventually like Wade Redden.

Can't even bury them in the minors anymore (new CBA), which makes a GM look even worse on one of these contracts.

[you got PHANUEFED]

The cap is estimated to reach over 80 mill in the next three seasons paying Clarkson 6 mill a season will not hurt any team in the long run.

[megatron]

Makes the Glencross contract look like a steal even though it was signed a few years ago.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Muffins

Can't even bury them in the minors anymore (new CBA), which makes a GM look even worse on one of these contracts.

Really? I didn't know that. I'm glad though, I really enjoy watching other teams suffer from stupid contracts they signed.

[Fire]

Welcome to Unrestricted Free Agency, where future regrets are born.

[sureLoss]

Aaron Ward ‏@aaronward_nhl 24s Sources confirming David Clarkson met with the Edmonton Oilers today in Edmonton. #TSN