Blue Jackets' Clarkson ready to 'begin the next chapter'
New Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Clarkson is looking ahead rather than behind following Thursday's trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I'm excited to get (to Columbus) and begin the next chapter of my life," he told reporters Friday.
The Maple Leafs dealt Clarkson to the Blue Jackets for injured forward Nathan Horton.
Clarkson said it was difficult to handle the media coverage of the Leafs' struggles:
David Clarkson says "things spiralled out of control" for the #leafs this season. Adds that negative press was hard on him and his family.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 27, 2015
The veteran winger also admitted Leafs players lost their confidence over the course of the season.
Clarkson said the highlight of his Toronto tenure was the day he signed his seven-year, $36.75-million contract in July 2013.
The forward will travel to Columbus on Friday night and hopes to play Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.