In Maple Leafs practice Clarkson was skating on a line with Dave Bolland and Mason Raymond. He has served his 10-game suspension for leaving the bench during a fight in the preseason. Clarkson had 15 goals and nine assists (24 points) in 48 games during the lockout shortened season.

Toronto head coach Randy Carlyle says they feel it's best to play Clarkson as many games as possible in preseason given the time he will miss.

Phil Kessel scored two goals in the Toronto Maple Leaf's 5-3 victory over Buffalo last night, but his performance was overshadowed by a huge brawl that broke out which can result in David Clarkson getting a 10-game suspension to start the season because he left the bench. Kessel also received a match penalty because he retaliated with his stick against Buffalo enforcer John Scott. He will be automatically suspended until a further ruling is given by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Because of the nature of the incident, it's entirely possible Kessel misses a few games.... Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov was outstanding in the 2-1 win over Anaheim, making 37 saves. With HOFer Patrick Roy behind the Avalanche bench, there will be pressure on the enigmatic Russian to push his game to a higher level after a ho-hum '12-13 season. So far, so good....Pekka Rinne looked sharp in his debut performance in the preseason, stopping all 13 shots in Nashville's 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders. Tough season for Rinne in '12-13, so this was an encouraging sign for his fantasy owners. Training Camp Update: The Edmonton Oilers are now reeling at center with the news that Sam Gagner will be out indefintely due to a broken jaw. With RNH also missing from the lineup, there is a chance that Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall can both be utilized at center, dismantling one of the better fantasy tandems in the NHL. Monitor this situation, as things are getting tough up the middle in the City of Champions. PrimePucks™ continues to bring you the NHL IN 30 every day in the month of September, bringing you in-depth team analysis for the upcoming season. Today's featured team: The St. Louis Blues!  Don't forget to check back each and every day for the latest featured team!

Phil Kessel scored two goals in the Toronto Maple Leaf's 5-3 victory over Buffalo last night, but his performance was overshadowed by a huge brawl that broke out which can result in David Clarkson getting a 10-game suspension to start the season because he left the bench. Kessel also received a match penalty because he retaliated with his stick against Buffalo enforcer John Scott. He will be automatically suspended until a further ruling is given by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Because of the nature of the incident, it's entirely possible Kessel misses a few games.... Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov was outstanding in the 2-1 win over Anaheim, making 37 saves. With HOFer Patrick Roy behind the Avalanche bench, there will be pressure on the enigmatic Russian to push his game to a higher level after a ho-hum '12-13 season. So far, so good....Pekka Rinne looked sharp in his debut performance in the preseason, stopping all 13 shots in Nashville's 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders. Tough season for Rinne in '12-13, so this was an encouraging sign for his fantasy owners. Training Camp Update: The Edmonton Oilers are now reeling at center with the news that Sam Gagner will be out indefintely due to a broken jaw. With RNH also missing from the lineup, there is a chance that Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall can both be utilized at center, dismantling one of the better fantasy tandems in the NHL. Monitor this situation, as things are getting tough up the middle in the City of Champions. PrimePucks™ continues to bring you the NHL IN 30 every day in the month of September, bringing you in-depth team analysis for the upcoming season. Today's featured team: The St. Louis Blues!  Don't forget to check back each and every day for the latest featured team!

Phil Kessel scored two goals in the Toronto Maple Leaf's 5-3 victory over Buffalo last night, but his performance was overshadowed by a huge brawl that broke out which can result in David Clarkson getting a 10-game suspension to start the season because he left the bench. Kessel also received a match penalty because he retaliated with his stick against Buffalo enforcer John Scott. He will be automatically suspended until a further ruling is given by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Because of the nature of the incident, it's entirely possible Kessel misses a few games.... Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov was outstanding in the 2-1 win over Anaheim, making 37 saves. With HOFer Patrick Roy behind the Avalanche bench, there will be pressure on the enigmatic Russian to push his game to a higher level after a ho-hum '12-13 season. So far, so good....Pekka Rinne looked sharp in his debut performance in the preseason, stopping all 13 shots in Nashville's 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders. Tough season for Rinne in '12-13, so this was an encouraging sign for his fantasy owners. Training Camp Update: The Edmonton Oilers are now reeling at center with the news that Sam Gagner will be out indefintely due to a broken jaw. With RNH also missing from the lineup, there is a chance that Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall can both be utilized at center, dismantling one of the better fantasy tandems in the NHL. Monitor this situation, as things are getting tough up the middle in the City of Champions.

Let someone else take the risk of drafting Clarkson unless he slips too far in your draft. There is a good chance he doesn't repeat his solid 2012-13 campaign in his first season in Toronto.

Not many thought the Maple Leafs were ready to make the playoffs last season but they surprised everyone by not only making it as a #5 seed but coming within minutes of advancing to the second round, if not for some miraculous comeback by the Boston Bruins from a 4-1 deficit with just over 10 minutes left in the third period of Game 7 of the opening round. That started the off-season rumor that Roberto Luongo was most likely the next Leafs goaltender but again, many were shocked that on draft day it was Cory Schneider that was dealt away to the NJ Devils, meaning Luongo was staying in Vancouver.  The Leafs made a few additions and are in the process of tying up their loose ends before the start of camp.  Will this be enough for them to return to the playoffs? Goalies After a mediocre 2011-2012 where Reimer went 14-14-4 in only 34 games played because of injury, there was some doubt as to whether he had what it took to be solid No. 1 goaltender in the NHL. He quieted his critics with a 19-8-5 record in 33 games with a 2.46 GAA and .924 SP along with 4 shutouts.  Reimer was on the brink of advancing the Leafs into the second round before the roof caved in on him and the team, blowing a 3-goal lead in the 3rd period of Game 7. Looking to shore up the net, the leafs obtained LA Kings G Jonathan Bernier for Ben Scrivens , Matt Frattin and a 2nd round pick. Look for the two to push each other and split time until one outplays the other and grabs the No. 1 role. Defense Dion Phaneuf leads this patched up defense along with John-Michael Liles, although it appears Liles is counted on less these days with the emergence of Cody Franson, who, by the way, is still without a contract heading into camp. Jake Gardiner should start to make a presence for himself on the blue line after recovering from concussion symptoms. Expect the bulk of the offense to come from Phaneuf and Franson if he signs.  IF Franson doesn't sign, that may open up some opportunities for youngsters like Gardiner and perhaps Morgan Rielly (more on Rielly later in the "Prospects" section).  You can never count out Liles as he possesses high level offensive capabilities, so stash him away if you are in a deep draft or deep roster. Forwards Now that all the forwards are locked in, this unit should be very explosive again this year. Phil Kessel is in his prime and Joffrey Lupul just loves playing alongside him as he definitely reaps the benefits.  We expect this duo to continue their magic, barring ...

Please take time today to remember those victims whose lives were taken from them on this day in 2001. What a horrible day for humanity.  May they rest in peace. TSN has reported that Nazem Kadri and the Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to a two-year deal worth $5.8 million. The former 7th overall pick from 2009 is coming off a great rookie campaign, where he recorded 44 points in 48 games. With Kadri all signed up, the Leafs boast a formidable top-six set of forwards and a second line that could consist of Nazem Kadri-David Clarkson-James van Riemsdyk. This unit could take considerable pressure off the Phil Kessel line, and result in even more offensive production for this rising squad. Make sure to pencil in a few Leafs in your fantasy roster, as things are looking up in Toronto. ***The 2013-2014 PrimePucks Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide has been updated with all the latest news developments. Please check your account file to upload the new revised copy of the Guide.  Stay up-to-date as you approach your draft day. PrimePucks continues to bring you the NHL IN 30 every day in the month of September, bringing you in-depth team analysis for the upcoming season.  Today's feature article: the New Jersey Devils!  Don't forget to check back each and every day for the latest featured team! ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you are the commissioner of an upcoming fantasy hockey league and will be holding a draft soon, PrimePucks has some goodies for you to distribute to your league members.  Look even better to your league members by giving them free stuff.  Who doesn't like free stuff?  Contact cj@primepucks.com to find out more.

Please take time today to remember those victims whose lives were taken from them on this day in 2001. What a horrible day for humanity.  May they rest in peace. TSN has reported that Nazem Kadri and the Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to a two-year deal worth $5.8 million. The former 7th overall pick from 2009 is coming off a great rookie campaign, where he recorded 44 points in 48 games. With Kadri all signed up, the Leafs boast a formidable top-six set of forwards and a second line that could consist of Nazem Kadri-David Clarkson-James van Riemsdyk. This unit could take considerable pressure off the Phil Kessel line, and result in even more offensive production for this rising squad. Make sure to pencil in a few Leafs in your fantasy roster, as things are looking up in Toronto. The 2013-2014 PrimePucks Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide has been updated with all the latest news developments. Please check your account file to upload the new revised copy of the Guide.  Stay up-to-date as you approach your draft day. PrimePucks continues to bring you the NHL IN 30 every day in the month of September, bringing you in-depth team analysis for the upcoming season.  Today's feature article: the New Jersey Devils!  Don't forget to check back each and every day for the latest featured team! ***ATTENTION FANTASY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMISSIONERS*** If you are the commissioner of an upcoming fantasy hockey league and will be holding a draft soon, PrimePucks has some goodies for you to distribute to your league members. Look even better to your league members by giving them free stuff.  Who doesn't like free stuff?  Contact cj@primepucks.com to find out more.

LEAFS FANTASY TALK: The fun about fantasy blogging is that you can select a team with many questions and just fire away. Since I just got off the phone with my cousin from Toronto, I feel like talking Maple Leafs. Here is the question of the day: Was adding more offensive weapons good for the team, but bad for fantasy owners? In this case, probably not, since most of the Leaf's offense will run through their projected top line of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and Joffrey Lupul. With the emergence of Nazem Kadri and the acquisition of free agent David Clarkson, the Leafs can roll out two balanced scoring lines, which in theory can dilute the offense such as in St. Louis. But, make no mistake about it- Head coach Randy Carlyle will ride his top guns, so if I would venture a guess on who to target in the late rounds as a solid sleeper, I would say Bozak. After securing a long-term extension, his chemistry with Kessel will be taken to new heights after the team has shown confidence in him. BLUM TO THE WILD: After not receiving a qualifying offer by the Nashville Predators, defenseman Jonathan Blum signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Minnesota Wild. Watch this kid. The 24-year old has plenty of untapped offense in his arsenal, but had a tough time rising up a crowded defensive depth chart with Nashville, which became that much better with the drafting of future star Seth Jones. He now enters a situation in Minnesota, where he will get a legit opportunity to earn a spot on the team in training camp. Ex-Predator defensemen with offensive upside have flourished on their new teams before. Just ask Cody Franson in Toronto..