Devils' Clarkson Played Through Fractured Foot During Playoffs
NEWARK (CBSNewYork) - New Jersey Devils' winger David Clarkson played in all 24 of the Devils' playoff games. If playing in 80 regular season games and the additional demands of a deep playoff run into the Stanley Cup Finals wasn't grueling enough, Clarkson was playing on a fractured foot.
Clarkson revealed to Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger that he fractured his foot before the playoffs began, but re-fractured it during the playoffs.
"I had a bad foot at the beginning of the playoffs and I hurt it again at the end," Clarkson said to Chere on Thursday. "Emotions are high during the playoffs and you can play through it, but then you realize you're still sore a couple of weeks after it's over."
He does not need surgery and expects to be ready for Devils' training camp which begins in mid-September. That is -- should the players not be locked out by the league.
Clarkson enjoyed a breakthrough offensive season in 2011-12. He recorded career highs in goals (30), assists (16) and points (46). Clarkson scored 12 points in 24 playoff games. The Devils were eliminated by the Stanley Cup-winning Los Angeles Kings in six games.
The 28-year-old is entering his seventh season in the NHL.
Can Clarkson repeat his breakthrough season? Will hockey start on time? Sound off below...
