David Clarkson Traded to Columbus

The Cannon Goes Off in Columbus.

As per many reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward David Clarkson to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Nathan Horton. A deal that one would expect to have taken weeks, if not months, to come together came together in a matter of hours.

What does this mean for the Blue Jackets?

Columbus, a team in a small market, with a lack of financial support from their owner were paying Horton 5.3 mil to sit in the stands, and this was counting against their salary cap. This trade allows the Jackets to pay roughly the same amount for a player that will be in the line-up night in, night out. Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen commented on the move saying, “David Clarkson has been a 30-goal scorer in the NHL who will bring added character and leadership to our group and we believe he will be a valuable contributor to our team.”

How does this help the disintegrating Leafs squad?

By moving Clarkson, Toronto GM Dave Nonis has not only made a huge step towards maintaining his job, but also rebuilding the organization. After inking a contract worthy of 5.25 mil per season deal, Clarkson did not fit in with the Toronto line-up. With a lack of production, Clarkson’s contract was reminiscent of Chris Pronger's contract in Philadelphia. Toronto has rid themselves of a massive contract and provided themselves with a substantial amount of financial flexibility.

Toronto, being a wealthy team, is able to pay Horton the money due to him, while not counting it against the salary cap. This will now allow them to do many things. Options could be to go out and sign a centre-stone to build around, or more optimistically, to retain some salary in deals that could see the exit of Phil Kessel, or Dion Phaneuf from the GTA. Nonis now finds himself with 5.25 million per year of spending money and likely a job for the next few years.

One can only speculate what is to come in Leaf land however one thing is inevitable: there will be no untouchables, and a plethora of new faces in Toronto.