Clitsome only suited up for 32 games last season due to a back injury which eventually required surgery, but did manage to accumulate two goals and 10 assists in the process. Thankfully, he’s expected to make a full recovery from that surgery by the start of the season. That being said, he’s never really come close to playing a full NHL slate, so any fantasy owners who are thinking about picking him up probably want to take that into account. When he is in the lineup, Clitsome will likely skate on the team’s third pairing and will likely compete for playing time with players like Paul Postma and Adam Pardy. If he can establish himself as an everyday player, fantasy owners in deeper leagues could have some use for a player like Clitsome.
Clitsome managed 16 points in 44 games to go with a solid plus-10 rating last year. He definitely stepped up in the absence of Tobias Enstrom last year and demonstrated a marked improvement in his game. With Zach Bogosian's status still up in the air and a newly-inked contract extension with the Jets under his belt, Clitsome could prove to be a serviceable fantasy option for the 2013-14 season, even though his offensive production will be limited with Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien running the show on the blue line in that department.
Clitsome generated some buzz around the Columbus front office in 2010-2011 when he posted an impressive 19 points in 31 games as a second-year pro who had grown accustomed to spending more time in the minors than with the big club. Yet, when he fell far short of that production in 2011-2012, the Blue Jackets released the Ontario native to waivers. Upon being claimed by the Jets, Clitsome did little to silence his doubters, registering just three points over the season's final twelve games. Though his usage in Manitoba was much higher than it was in Ohio, do not expect the 27 year-old to make a large offensive impact in 2012-2013.
Clitsome got an extended look in the NHL and more than held his own, putting up a surprising 19 points in 31 games. He'll lose power play time to newcomer James Wisniewski though, so while he'll have a regular spot on the Blue Jackets blue line don't expect him to maintain that scoring pace.
Clitsome is a depth defenseman who managed just three points in 11 NHL action last season.
Depth defenseman scored 4-15-19 with 74 PIMs in 73 AHL games last season.
Clitsome will fight for a spot among the Blue Jackets' top seven defensemen in camp.
