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New Jersey Devils: 5 Greatest Undrafted Free Agents Ever

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 26: John Madden #11 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center on February 26, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Avalanche 4-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 26: John Madden #11 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center on February 26, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Avalanche 4-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
David Clarkson #23 of the New Jersey Devils (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. David Clarkson

David Clarkson is definitely a name that Devils fans remember. The Devils watched him grow from an AHL longshot to a 30-goal scorer. Less than two years after signing, he made his NHL debut in 2007. He scored four points in seven games and earned himself a spot on the 2007 playoff roster. He made the roster for the 2007-08 season, and never saw the AHL again.

Clarkson played 426 games in New Jersey, scoring 170 points over seven seasons. He was known as a tough guy, often ending up with more than 100 penalty minutes when he was with the Devils. He was a fighter who could net the occasional goal. Clarkson felt like a new version of Bobby Holik. The Devils got him for free.

Clarkson, of course, signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 offseason. His career fell off the rails after that. However, his career with the Devils was the stuff of legends. Going from undrafted to a $5 million man is nothing to scoff at. He was very important to the 2012 Devils in the regular season, helping them get that pivotal six seed in a very competitive Eastern Conference. He only scored three goals in the 2012 playoffs, but every single one of them was a game-winning goal. His career is one that Devils fans will never forget.

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