Clarkson looks to ease back into Leafs lineup

TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs are 7-3-0 to start the season and their wins have come in a variety of ways.

Now, they will try to win with the player they invested $36.75 million US in.

David Clarkson, who has finally finished serving his 10-game suspension for leaving the bench in a pre-season game and joining a fight, will make his Leafs debut on Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

One thing is clear: the 29-year-old will not look to make up for lost time or try to justify his salary on his first shift.

“That’s one thing I can’t do,” Clarkson said. “It’s easy when you’ve been suspended to come back in the lineup and try to do overdo things.

“I just have to try and take it step-by-step and do what I was brought here to do … take the puck to the net, play physical and be good in my own zones. Do all those things and not do too much. I’m just going to come here and play the way I have my whole career.”

What should help in that regard is that the Leafs were able to survive Clarkson’s absence. The question now is where he fits in.

The team will benefit from having a winger who scored 15 goals in 48 games last season and reached the 30-goal mark in 2011-12. The logical spot for him is on the second line with Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul. But wherever he plays, Clarkson does not feel like he has to come in and be the saviour.

“The boys have been winning, which makes it easier,” he said. “The big thing is winning games right now. It doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup, who’s out, it’s about winning.”