Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said the Devils' key unrestricted free agents "have to be" signed before the July 5 free agency date. Lamoriello has already begun discussions with forwards David Clarkson, Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus. "We're talking to all of [the UFAs] and we'll try and expedite that as best as possibly can," Lamoriello said. The Devils also want to bring back rearguards Marek Zidlicky and Peter Harrold.

The Maple Leafs could be one of many teams interested in the services of winger David Clarkson this summer. The unrestricted free agent is coming off his most productive NHL season and offers a combination of skill and toughness all teams covet. The bidding process Clarkson will likely net the forward a very lucrative contract once all is said and done.

New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello has started contract talks with potential unrestricted free agent David Clarkson. "We'll continue to work on it," Lamoriello said Thursday. "We've certainly started the process, but until (contracts) are complete there is nothing done." There hasn't been financial discussions at this point though. Clarkson would garner a fair share of attention if he were to hit the open market.

David Clarkson is the Devils' nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The Trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. Clarkson has worked for and created numerous charities and is a fine candidate.

David Clarkson said he's not sure what will happen this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Clarkson's future is a pretty big question entering this season. Will he eschew free agency and stay with the Devils? Or will he take the big money, perhaps from his hometown Maple Leafs? If Clarkson chooses to hit the open market, he'll likely be one of the most desirable names on it. A year after finally reaching the 30-goal plateau, the burgeoning power forward scored 15 goals this season, which is roughly a 26-goal pace in a full season. Clarkson says he expects to meet with GM Lou Lamoriello and his agent and then figure out a plan from there.

David Clarkson's 15 goals is tops on the Devils. That's not saying all that much considering Ilya Kovalchuk has been hurt and Clarkson scored 10 times in the first 15 games, getting five in the 33 games since. "I think there was just a period there where the puck was going in," Clarkson said. "It wasn't going to continue going in like that. You look at the goals I have compared to other guys, it's right where I should or I would be. I wasn't going to keep up that pace I was on, but I definitely would have liked to have stayed scoring like I was and just have this team keep winning."

David Clarkson may be playing in his last home game with the New Jersey Devils Thursday night, as he's eligible to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He said the thought hadn't crossed his mind and he's unsure he'll be back with the Devils next season. "I've enjoyed playing here," said Clarkson, who added that he'd like to re-sign. "I don't know what's ahead, but I haven't really thought about that. It's not something that's come into my mind or mindset. I'm going to go out there and play like we're still in and we're still fighting for something and that's all I can do." Contract negotiations between the organization and his agent have been nonexistent so far.

David Clarkson helped his fantasy owners on Sunday, although he didn't score a goal or an assist in the New Jersey Devils' 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers. Clarkson fired six SOG and delivered four hits to provide some deeper stats. If he would have gone to the box, it would have been just about all you could ask for from a non-scoring day.

David Clarkson sniped the lone goal for New Jersey in its 2-1 loss to Toronto on Saturday night. The Devils are having a very tough time scoring goals right now. Clarkson broke a five-game pointless streak. Marek Zidlicky had the assist.

David Clarkson likely made some of his fantasy owners happy despite the fact the Devils were shut out by Boston by a score of 1-0 on Thursday. Despite a minus-1 rating in the contest, Clarkson notched two penalty minutes and a team-leading seven shots on goal. Although his offensive pace has slowed since the start of the year, Clarkson is delivering solid production in leagues that reward PIM.