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David Clarkson trade puts Maple Leafs' rebuilding ahead of schedule

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ teardown project is proceeding more smoothly than anyone anticipated.

General manager Dave Nonis’ ability to move David Clarkson’s contract to the Columbus Blue Jackets was the bonus of an 11-day period in which Nonis was able to accumulate a first-, a second-, and fourth-round pick and prospect Brendan Leipsic while giving up pending unrestricted free agents Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik.

But the impressive move was trading Clarkson, who was considered to have a unmovable contract.

Give the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs credit for creative thinking outside the box to find a way for both teams to benefit.

Clarkson is in the second season of a seven-year deal that breaks down to a $5.25 million salary cap number. He hasn’t played at a level to make that cap hit worthwhile. Maybe the pressure of playing for his hometown team was too overwhelming. He hasn’t been the same player he was with the New Jersey Devils.

To make matters worse for the Maple Leafs, the bonus structure of Clarkson’s contract was buyout proof. Buying him out didn’t provide much salary cap relief. That’s why the prevailing sentiment was the Maple Leafs would be forced to live with Clarkson’s deal.

But the Blue Jackets had their own problem, created by a different set of circumstances. They signed Nathan Horton to be a top-line scorer, only injuries robbed him of that opportunity. The injuries are debilitating to the point that Horton’s career might be over.

His contract is similar to Clarkson’s deal. The agony for Columbus is his contract was not insured against injury, meaning they had pay him regardless of whether he played. Gaining salary cap relief because Horton had a long-term injury didn’t mean anything to Columbus. The Blue Jackets are a small-market team with budgetary concerns the rich Maple Leafs don’t have.

Now, the Blue Jackets at least have a player to use in their lineup for the money they are spending. They might be overpaying Clarkson, but he will be helping them.

The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, will now pay Horton’s salary, and will be able to take advantage of the salary cap relief that comes with having him on long-term injured reserve.

That’s the worst-case scenario for both teams. The best-case scenario for the Maple Leafs is that back surgery will help Horton. If it does, he in theory is a better player than Clarkson.

From Columbus’ perspective, the best-case scenario would be Clarkson scoring 30 goals again as he did in New Jersey. It’s not unthinkable.

But fans in Toronto have to love this deal more because the renovation projection already seems slightly ahead of schedule. The quicker you can strip the team down to the chassis, the faster you can start rebuilding the engine.

Plus, the Maple Leafs aren’t done. Teams have interest in defensemen Dion Phaneuf and Roman Polak, plus center Tyler Bozak, among others.

Phil Kessel isn’t expected to be traded until the summer. But the Clarkson deal demonstrates that anything is possible when it comes to the Maple Leafs.

Your games tonight

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