The David Clarkson situation in Toronto managed to get a little more awkward on Tuesday.

Clarkson, two years into a seven-year long albatro s of a contract, was a healthy scratch on Sunday and Maple Leafs coach Peter Horachek had a post-morning skate Cheslor Cuthbert Jersey conversation. It was le s than pleasant and carried the me sage that Clarkson would sit again on Tuesday.

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The Horachek-Clarkson conversation was fairly animated ... and lasted several minutes. Clarkson looks flabbergasted.

Chris Johnston (@reporterchris)

Really looks like Clarkson is giving Horachek his two cents. Doesn't look too happy.

Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos)

Horachek/Clarkson conversation goes nearly 10 minutes. Clarkson didn't look happy at any point.

Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050)

Afterward, Horachek called Clarkson "a proud guy" Melky Cabrera Jersey and "A competitor"

Clarkson said he and Horachek were "just talking" and that he has a ton of respect for coach. Said scratch is a me sage.

Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno)

It's tough to blame either of them, really. Clarkson is annoyed that he's not playing, and Horachek is trying to do what's best for his team.

In any case, it's tough to see this ending well for Toronto; Horachek, in an overwhelming likelihood, won't be back next season. Clarkson, though, isn't going anywhere without a major cost to the Leafs and considering they're cap-strapped andone of the league's few worst teams, that's even worse than it sounds.

Clarkson carries a $5.25 million cap hit through 2020, and his contract might as well be buyout-proof; because of bonuses, he'd cost the Leafs several million in dead money if they went down that route. He also has a no-movement clause. So ... good Wily Peralta Jersey luck.

The irony of it all, , Clarkson is, generally, who he seemed to be before he signed the contract.

Clarkson is basically performing up to his career standard, arguably even a touch better, with an 11.4 percent shooting percentage that has helped him to 10 goals. Even though he has only scored three of those in the last 30 games and hasnt recorded a power-play point since Oct. 31 despite consistently being used on the second unit, its hard to argue his play has dropped off.

Other than a 30-goal season in 2011-12, when Clarkson played major minutes in New Jersey and benefitted from hot shooting, this is who he is.

Mike Moustakas Jersey And who he'll be for five more seasons.Clarkson said he looked at the scratches as sending a me sage to the rest of the team. Beyond the players, though, it certainly sends a me sage to anyone who'd somehow mi sed it before: Five years is a long time.