After signing a huge contract last summer, Clowe’s first season in New Jersey was plagued by concussions and injury, as he suited up in a mere 43 games scattered throughout the season. The veteran finished with seven goals and 19 assists, most of which came over two separate scoring binges that sandwiched the Olympic break. Clowe likely won’t drop the gloves too much, as his first concussion came via a fight last season, thus limiting his value in the penalty minutes category. He’ll still see some top-six minutes with New Jersey as well as power-play time, but consistent offensive production likely won’t come from Clowe. Like most of his teammates, Clowe was shuffled around constantly and struggled to find his niche in New Jersey. Further compounding issues was the concussion he suffered at the end of last season, but he should be ready for training camp.
Clowe was the subject of much debate this past July as the Devils signed the veteran to a five-year contract worth $4.85 million annually; a contract which, on paper, looked like one of bigger overpayments on free agent day. At his best, Clowe was a 50-60 point scorer in San Jose alongside some talented forwards, a physical winger that could deliver close to 100 penalty minutes, but that was several years and several concussions ago. Clowe was never a burner on the ice and he struggled to get going last year with the Sharks which prompted the late-season trade to the Rangers. Clowe stepped it up in New York, earning eight points in 12 games after failing to score a single goal in 28 contests with his original club. The Devils will be looking to Clowe to replace some of the production and minutes they lost with the David Clarkson departure -- just make certain you pay much less for Clowe than the Devils did. Clowe can be a 40-point player but there are injury concerns and he'll need to be alongside players that can set him up. Those who subscribe to the advanced statistics will note that Clowe is a good possession player, but the odds that he will live up to his contract are slim.
Welcome to Mr. Buy Low -- get in now. Clowe is coming off his worst season since 2007-08, but don't worry -- he's headed right back to the 55-60 point, 100 PIMs plateau. We all wondered what happened to his game last year and then after the season, we found out -- he struggled with post-concussion symptoms and a wonky groin, and that lowered his output in a serious way. He's healthy and the big Newfie horse is raring to go, and go he will. He's a multi-category stud who will not be denied this year.
Clowe is a brawny winger with a knack for setting up scores. In fact, he has posted at least 30 assists in each of the past three seasons. It doesn't hurt that he plays on a team loaded with prolific scorers up front, but it's the combination of toughness � he's had 231 PIMs in the past two seasons combined � and playmaking ability that makes Clowe a unique talent. He'll help you out in a number of key offensive categories, and makes for a sneaky selection in fantasy drafts as he must share the spotlight with the likes of star teammates Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture, among others.
Clowe upset his fantasy owners through the first two months of the 2009-10 season by chipping in just four points (one goal, four assists). Those buying low on his dismal start were heavily rewarded, however, as the crafty forward still managed to pull together career highs in games played (82), assists (38), points (57), and even penalty minutes (131). With the exception of PIMs, expect continued growth from Clowe, one of the most underrated stars on the Sharks.
The Sharks made their feelings about Clowe known in July 2009 when they re-signed him as a restricted free agent to a four-year contract valued at $3.5 million per season. Standing at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Clowe is at his best when he's parked in front of the net firing second-chance shots past opposing netminders. Otherwise, he still holds value as a playmaker when you consider that he has 55 assists in 162 games. For those lazy with math, that means the 26-year-old averages slightly more than one assist for every three games he plays. It's also worth noting that Clowe was one of four Sharks to deposit 11 power-play goals a season ago, so he'll add value in leagues that offer bonuses for power-play tallies.
Clowe became one of the most feared Sharks in the 2007-08 Stanley Cup Playoffs after he deposited five goals in 13 playoff games. This salvaged a forgettable regular season when he scored three times and suffered a knee injury that wiped away 67 of his games. Assuming Clowe can stay healthy, he has an excellent chance for a breakout year under the tutelage of coach Todd McLellan. Expect Clowe’s scoring prowess to be a major asset on the power play for the Sharks. His fantasy stock is on the rise.
Clowe was the biggest surprise for the Sharks in the 2006-07 season. He registered 34 points (16 goals and 18 assists) in 58 games to go with 78 penalty minutes splitting time between the first and third line. Clowe scored most of his points by parking himself in front of the goalie. He is like a younger, more inexperienced, Tomas Holmstrom. His numbers depends primarily on the amount of shots his linemates take, the more they do, the more rebound chances, the better his stats.
He was the team's swing forward last year, the guy who got the call when an extra body up front was needed. Now the Sharks look deeper on the back two lines, however, so Clowe might not be in the mix.
After a solid year in the AHL, Clowe is expected to break camp with the Sharks in 2005, though it will probably be on the fourth line.
