Leafs re-sign Bozak; reportedly reel in Clarkson

Center Tyler Bozak is staying in Toronto and right wing David Clarkson is leaving New Jersey to join him. TSN is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms with Clarkson on a seven-year contract and Bozak has re-signed with them for five years and $21 million.

PHOTO CREDIT - MapleLeafs.com

Toronto - July 5, 2013 - Center Tyler Bozak is staying in Toronto and right wing David Clarkson is leaving New Jersey to join him.

TSN is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms with Clarkson on a seven-year contract and Bozak has re-signed with them for five years and $21 million.

Clarkson is from Mimico, Ont., a suburb of Toronto. It's the same hometown as Maple Leafs 27-year-old center Dave Bolland, who was acquired in a trade during the 2013 NHL Draft.

Many people thought Bozak would be leaving Toronto after the Bolland trade, but now the Leafs' top three centers are Nazem Kadri, Bozak and Bolland.

Clarkson, 29, scored 15 goals and 24 points in 46 games in 2012-13. He scored a career-high 30 goals in 2011-12.

Bozak, 27, had 28 points in 46 games in 2012-13 while centering Phil Kessel, who led the Maple Leafs with 52 points in 48 games. Bozak has 134 points in 238 games, all with the Maple Leafs.

The Devils signed Clarkson as an undrafted free agent in Aug. 2005. He made his NHL debut during the 2006-07 season and became a full-time player for New Jersey in 2007-08.

Clarkson has 97 goals and 73 assists for 170 points in 426 regular-season games. He also has 14 points in 44 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including 12 in 24 games in 2012, when the Devils went to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.