from Michael Grange of Sportsnet,

After a season so far defined—unflatteringly—by his contract, David Clarkson has a chance to prove that he’s more than years and zeroes and production that falls well short of what $36.75 million should provide fans and a franchise.

He’s got 25 games and hopefully a playoff series or two to make year one of his “local-boy-makes-good” signing something other than a frustrating prelude to a deal that lingers around Leafs general manager Dave Nonis for years to come.

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward claims to be only marginally aware that he’s routinely had the adjective “bust” attached to him on social media, in regular media and anywhere else that four goals and five assists in 39 games seems a poor return for the $5.25 million he’ll earn this season and the next six after that.

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