Coach Pete DeBoer is a big supporter of rugged winger David Clarkson. "What I like about Clarkie is Clarkie is one of a handful of guys in the league - and there's not many of them - that can play in your top nine and is heavyweight tough and is capable of scoring 20 goals," said New Jersey's bench boss. "Those guys are hard to find. There's a lot to like." DeBoer coached Clarkson in junior hockey with Kitchener and he was the general manager of the organization as well when the team acquired him from Belleville. He also helped Clarkson get his first training camp invite from Carolina before he signed a deal with the Devils in 2005. Clarkson is already benefiting from their relationship and familiarity after he practiced on the first power-play unit on Wednesday with Zach Parise and Patrik Elias up front, while rookie Adam Larsson and Ilya Kovalchuk occupied the points.