TORONTO -- Seven years and US$36. wholesale jerseys .75 million set the price of expectations for David Clarkson. When Clarkson signed with the Maple Leafs on the first day of free agency, he accepted the scrutiny that comes with that term and substantial price tag in arguably the NHLs toughest market. The high standard of success hell be held to this season and in the coming years doesnt bother him. "I really dont think about it, to be honest with you," Clarkson said. "Ive played the same way my whole life. Ive played that style of hockey and its gotten me to where I am. All Im going to do is go out every night, give everything I can. And am I going to be perfect? No, Im going to make mistakes. But Im going to play that same style of hockey that got me here." Thats the right mind-set for Clarkson, a one-time 30-goal scorer for the New Jersey Devils who will be counted on to score close to that in Toronto. But Philadelphia Flyers left-winger Scott Hartnell has been there, done that with a similar salary bump after a trade from the Nashville Predators and figures it will be an adjustment for Clarkson. "It definitely is a little added pressure, I think," Hartnell said Monday. "And going to Philadelphia, for myself, was obviously a way bigger market than Nashville was. You can say the same for Clarkson, going from the Devils where theres not much media that Ive noticed, and coming to Toronto where you take a sip of a beer and (its reported like) youre drunk the night before the game." Clarkson maintained that he doesnt read or watch anything about him that riles up the hype. But the local boy wasnt blind to the difference between playing in New Jersey and Toronto. "When he made the decision to come back to Toronto here, I think obviously the first thing he took into consideration was all the expectations here and media how it could be like to be a Leaf," said younger brother Doug Clarkson, whos in training camp with the Flyers. "I just said to him, they love that style that he plays and I know (coach Randy) Carlyle likes that style. Hes been the same since junior; I dont really think hes changed that much since he came into the league his first year." Listen to Carlyle and general manager Dave Nonis, and thats what the Leafs want. Hartnell called Clarkson "basically the epitome of a power forward," and his game is as much about crashing the net as it is putting the puck into it. Counting $5.25 million against the salary cap this season certainly makes Clarkson a target if he doesnt score 20-plus goals, and Carlyle knows its the job of the coaching staff to keep the 29-year-old winger from putting too much onus on himself. "I think that theres a trap at times when players do change teams and contracts become something notable, the first thing they try to do is change the way they play," Carlyle said. "Thats one thing that we want to guard against that we want David Clarkson to play the way hes capable of playing and (do) the things he normally does, not try to be anything more than what hes been before." Clarkson has 97 goals and 73 assists in 426 NHL games and is hardly an offensive superstar. Carlyle pointed to some "intangibles" Clarkson brings beyond scoring. "Hes a big body in front of the net," Hartnell said. "He scored lots of goals against us, just being there causing havoc in front. Hes got a quick release, a guy that can hit and fight." On a team with Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren, Clarkson wont be leaned on to fight too often. But hell be expected to produce like he did in New Jersey. Clarkson credited teammates for helping him to 30 goals and brushed off the weight of the pressure to perform. "The pressure of everything, you put pressure on yourself as a player every day to do well," he said. "You realize were lucky to be athletes, but at the end of the day you want to do well. I think if you put in the work in the summer and you play hard every night, the success comes." That kind of attitude is why Doug Clarkson isnt worried about his brother trying to live up to expectations. "Hes always been good with people and good around people," Doug Clarkson said. "People have a lot of respect for him just because thats the way he is. It doesnt matter what the score is, if youre losing a ton or what, he goes out there and plays hard." As long as the effort is there, David Clarkson isnt worried about media members -- "You guys dont bug me, not at all," he said. Clarkson is confident hell be able to deflect the attention. "Im just looking forward to whats ahead, and pressure from media and fans I dont feel at all because when I leave here I go home to my family and thats all I do and thats all that matters," he said. "But I will go out there and play hard every night. Thats it." cheap nfl jerseys . Pistorius also offered an apology to the family of Reeva Steenkamp, who died from multiple wounds after the double-amputee runner shot her through a closed toilet door last year in his home. He said he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder. Prosecutors allege he killed her after an argument. "There hasnt been a moment since this tragedy happened that I havent thought about your family," the athlete said at the murder trial as Steenkamps mother, June, looked impassively at him in the courtroom. wholesale nfl jerseys . According to several reports, the quarterback has asked for a trade or his release from the team. The reports state Pryor strongly wants to be a starter, and that wont happen in Oakland.SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Lincecum is staying put with the San Francisco Giants just as he hoped, reaching agreement Tuesday on a $35 million, two-year contract through the 2015 season. The deal is pending a physical, which had yet to be scheduled. Lincecum has a full no-trade clause in the new deal. General manager Brian Sabean said when the season ended that among his top priorities was bringing back the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, who also indicated he cherishes familiarity and wanted stay with the only club he has known. He pitched the Game 5 clincher in the 2010 World Series at Texas, then shifted to the bullpen and became a reliable reliever during the Giants 2012 run to their second title in three years. He pitched a no-hitter July 13 at San Diego. Sabean wanted to lock up Lincecums deal before he hit the open market in free agency. The 29-year-old Lincecum just completed a $40.5 million, two-year contract that paid him $22 million this past season. The Giants, who missed the playoffs at 76-86, already took care of their first order of business by signing right fielder Hunter Pence to a $90 million, five-year contract before the season ended. He played every game this year. Lincecum, the 10th overall draft pick by San Francisco in 2006 out of Washington, has had losing records in each of the past three seasons but manager Bruce Bochy has expressed encouragement with the pitchers progress to make changes to not only his delivery and mechanics but also his between-start routine and fitness. After his final start of the season Sept. 26 against the rivall Los Angeles Dodgers, the four-time All-Star reflected on the idea of a possible departure. cheap jerseys. Many thought he might listen to his hometown Seattle Mariners if they came calling. The Giants didnt let that happen, knowing someone would sign Lincecum in a hurry despite all the ups and downs. "Ive just been one of the most fortunate pitchers in this organization just to be a part of so many things," said Lincecum, who won the Cy Young in 2008 and 09. "To have the guys around me, Barry Bonds, Randy Johnson, big names, Buster Posey coming up, Pablo Sandoval. The names just dont end. To be here to witness all the things theyve done, and be there for also the team things, its been pretty special for me." Lincecum went 10-14 with a 4.37 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 32 starts this season. The right-hander joined Hall of Famers Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry and also Kirk Rueter as the only Giants in San Francisco history to win at least 10 games in six straight seasons. Nicknamed The Freak, Lincecum is 89-70 with a 3.46 ERA over seven major league seasons. With fans unsure whether he would return beyond 2013, his supporters held signs during his last start such as, "Timmy Dont Leave" and "SF Loves You!" He tipped his cap -- a rare gesture for him. "It was pretty special," Lincecum said at the time. "Just to be in that kind of like situation today, you kind of really see whats going on and the emotions that are tied with it. Im still trying to figure out how to handle it." ' ' '
