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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a bold move on the first day of free agency, committing a big-money, long-term contract to a player who provides a rare combination of goal-scoring and toughness. Numbers Game examines the Leafs signing David Clarkson. The Maple Leafs Get: RW David Clarkson. Clarkson, 29, was one of the most-coveted free agents on the market, having scored 45 goals and accruing 216 penalty minutes in 128 games over the last two seasons. Hes also had very strong puck possession stats over the last couple years too. An undrafted winger, who played for Kitchener in the Ontario Hockey League, Clarkson has fought his way into a significant NHL career, fighting 76 times in six NHL seasons (though only 13 in the last two years) and played a career-high 17:36 per game last season. Clarkson has also been durable. Aside from 2009-2010, when he missed 36 games with a broken fibula, he hasnt missed more than two games in any of his other five NHL seasons. If that durability is an indication that he might have the longevity to be productive into his mid-30s (and I have no idea if it is), that would work in the Leafs favour. In Toronto, Clarkson is getting paid to be a scorer. Sure, hell be expected to fight because that fits with the Leafs plan of attack under Carlyle, and with Clarksons track record, but at seven years and $36.75-million (a $5.25-million cap hit), Clarkson needs to be a productive offensive player. Clarkson did generate a career-best 3.75 shots on goal last season, which ranked eighth in the league, while playing primarily with Patrik Elias (and either Travis Zajac or Adam Henrique down the middle). His game isnt based on his creating chances by carrying the puck like, say, Phil Kessel, rather Clarkson is a guy who gets his nose dirty and gets to the front of the net for his chances, so if hes going to make the most of his opportunity in Toronto, Clarkson would benefit from playing with players like Joffrey Lupul or Nazem Kadri, who handle the puck more frequently. There could be real trouble if Clarkson doesnt have sufficient puckhandlers/playmakers skating with him. In the short-term, the Maple Leafs are better by adding Clarkson to their team, but the question is how long he can remain a productive offensive player. After all, Clarkson has scored more than 32 points just once in his career. The last three years or so of his contract, when hell be 33-to-35-years-old, are high risk because if Clarkson isnt scoring enough to be top-six forward at that point of his career, hell still be getting paid a premium rate; too much for just a physical presence. New Jersey, in response to losing Clarkson, signed Ryane Clowe, another forward who has toughness and offensive ability, giving the Devils have some options to round out their top six forwards. The Maple Leafs have set a certain identity under head coach Randy Carlyle and that is a physical team that will fight and score, so while Clarkson had appeal to many teams, he was obviously extra-appealing to a team that plays that style. Its hard to imagine the deal being good value in the long run, but if Clarkson is a fiery leader who scores 25 goals a season for the next four or five years, they may be able to live with a couple of years with less than ideal value at the end. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Dennis Byrd Womens Jersey . 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"We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. LAS VEGAS -- The Brooklyn Nets added some veteran leadership to the mix Tuesday, reaching a one-year contract agreement with forward Luis Scola, a source confirmed.Ive known Luis since my days with the Rockets, and hes not going to talk a whole heck of a lot but hes going to lead with his work ethic and how he gets after it, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. I like how Luis has started to spread the floor, and hes just the ultimate competitor, the ultimate warrior. Hes 36, but hes been healthy his whole career because of how well he prepares and how well he takes care of himself. Were excited about having him.Scola started 76 games for the Toronto Raptors last season, averaging 8.7 points and shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range. But he struggled in the playoffs, averaging just 2.5 points on 19 percent shooting from beyond the arc as he moved in and out of the rotation.The rebuilding Nets have added Scola, Jeremy Lin, Trevor Booker, Justin Hamilton and Greivis Vasquez this offseason, although Portland and Miami matched their offer sheets to restricted free agents Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson.Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks Plan B seems to be adding players on short contracts to maintain salary-cap flexibility moving forward.Scola is the oldest player on Brooklyns roster by seven years. Vasquez is 29.The agreement was earlier reported by The Vertical.Scola figures to battle for the starrting power forward spot with Trevor Booker, who signed a two-year, $18 million deal with Brooklyn.dddddddddddd think were going to let it play out, Atkinson said. I know those guys wouldnt want it any other way. I think theyre two competitors, they understand the NBA and theyre going to battle it out and compete for the spot.Booker, who briefly watched the Nets summer league game on Tuesday, explained why he chose Brooklyn.It was a great opportunity for me, Booker said. With Sean coming in place, theyve got Jeremy Lin, Brook Lopez down low, I thought it was a great opportunity for me. Sean came from the Spurs organization, which is the top organization in the NBA, and Ive known him for a little while now and I know hes a very smart guy and I believe in the direction that hes going to take the organization.Asked about potentially starting, Booker responded, Its not going to be given to me. Im going to go in with the mindset that I want it, so well see.Booker, 28, said he plans to bring hard work and leadership to the Nets.Thats whats kept me in the league so far, and I look to bring the same thing here, he said. Atkinson said hed like second-year pro Chris McCullough to push the veteran power forwards as well. He likes the diversity and skill sets at the positions. ' ' '