TORONTO – Dressed in a white Maple Leafs sweater, Phil Kessel was the first player to exit the ice at practice on Monday aftern

TORONTO – Dressed in a white Maple Leafs sweater, Phil Kessel was the first player to exit the ice at practice on Monday afternoon. Wholesale Avalanche Jerseys . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. The fallout will be written in how the Leafs manage in his absence. “Now it gives another guy an opportunity,” head coach Randy Carlyle observed of his roster with the regular season opener around the corner on October 1st. Inked to a one-year deal worth $1 million, Mason Raymond figures to see the most immediate boost in stock, and is likely to slide into a top-six role in Clarksons absence. The 27-year-old skated with Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul during the back half of Mondays workout. Beyond Raymond though, opportunity figures to have opened even further with Clarkson shelved for the first three weeks of the regular season. There will be a little more daylight for the likes of Carter Ashton, Joe Colborne, Troy Bodie and perhaps even Trevor Smith to emerge. With Clarkson out and Raymond likely climbing the depth chart in his place, the Leafs would appear to have two openings in their bottom-six – Jay McClement could also move up the lineup – as Frazer McLarens status (finger) is largely in doubt for the opener in Montreal. James van Riemsdyk Tyler Bozak Phil Kessel Joffrey Lupul Nazem Kadri Mason Raymond [open] Dave Bolland Nik Kulemin [open] Jay McClement Colton Orr Carter Ashton Joe Colborne Troy Bodie *Frazer McLaren Trevor Smith David Clarkson *Injured “Every game so far you have to prove yourself,” Ashton said, the 22-year-old dressing in four of the first five exhibition games. “I dont think anythings changed. From the first day of camp, the intra-squad scrimmages, and [then] you take yourself into these exhibition games, you have to take every opportunity you get.” Ashton made himself noticed over the weekend. In Buffalo on Saturday, he emerged victorious from a dust-up with Steve Ott, and added a hard-charging assist on Jay McClements game-tying goal. The following night at home against those very same Sabres, Ashton notched two assists playing alongside Kessel and Tyler Bozak, also rushing to the aid of the former when John Scott readied himself for a throttling. “You want to get noticed,” he said, noting his intent to impart a physical presence, “and you have to do things and for me bringing some physicality to the weekend and get in a couple scraps, thats just part of the game. Theres different roles on every team so thats definitely one thing I was looking to do.” Though hes yet to make the same definitive impression that Ashton has in recent days, Colborne believes he too is ascending with three exhibition games still to go. “I feel like Ive played better every game in camp so far,” the 23-year-old said, “and especially these last two games Ive felt like Ive really started to show what I can do.” Teamed with James van Riemsdyk and Josh Leivo on Sunday, Colborne produced an assist on the eventual game-winner, also garnering significant opportunity on the penalty kill. Looking to crack his first NHL roster, Colborne believes those two elements in combination with a sturdy defensive game will help him emerge with a job in the final week. “Ive been generating some chances,” he said. “Stay the course and keep going out there and showing the coaching staff what I can do.” Raymond quickly emerged as viable option for the Leafs early in the exhibition schedule, the speed and hints of offence immediately apparent from the 27-year-old. His value to the club also lies in the depth he offers, something that will now be put to the test with Clarkson absent. Clarksons impending absence will sting regardless. The organization targeted and eventually landed the 29-year-old when free agency opened this past July, believing his spunky veteran presence would help them take another step this season. The weight of his absence can be minimized though – Clarkson would be eligible to debut on October 25th – by a spark from those replacing him in the lineup, notably Raymond and whoever else wins a job in the coming week. Ottawa lost their number one centre (Jason Spezza), number one goaltender (Craig Anderson) and number one defender (Erik Karlsson) for large chunks of 2013 and still managed to qualify for the playoffs, thanks in large part to the efforts of their young players. And while the Senators conundrum was substantially more extreme – considering the value of the aforementioned trio – their ability to overcome offers a template in surviving adversity when faced with the loss of talent. “We set a plan on the first day of training camp,” Carlyle declared. “Now Id say that plan has changed. You have to adjust on the fly. You have to have plan A, B, C and D in the drawer. Were at plan B and C right now.” For those lingering on the bubble like Ashton, the challenge is becoming a part of that plan. “You dont take anything for granted,” he said. “Every opportunity you get, you have to prove yourself.” Colorado Avalanche Gear . JOHNS, N. Cheap Avalanche Jerseys . Kadri was dressed in a green jersey at Thursdays practice and skated as an extra forward on the teams fourth line as the Leafs. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . FLIP SAUNDERS (Timberwolves): Im not the least bit surprised that he appointed himself as head coach after his search concluded.The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Brendan Gallagher to a six-year contract extension worth a reported $22.5 million on Saturday. Gallagher has five goals and seven assists in 24 games with Montreal this season. In 149 regular-season games with the Canadiens, Gallagher has recorded 81 points (39 goals, 42 assists). He doesnt take a shift off, he never has, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said before Montreals home game against the Buffalo Sabres. The effort is always there, and his character is off the charts. Hes always in the paint, he works hard, he gets loose pucks, and hes not afraid of anything. He competes night in and night out. The way Brendan performs on the ice, hes always around the net. Whether youre six-foot-eight, or six-foot-one, he plays the same way. His foot is always on the accelerator. The 22-year-old Edmonton native was drafted by Montreal in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL draft -- 147th overall. Colorado Avalanche Pro Shop. He was named to the NHL all-rookie team in 2012-13. Brendan has shown from Day 1 that he loves Montreal, and he wants to be a Montreal Canadien, said Bergevin, who added the deal was roughly one month in the making. Hes proud, and he loves the city and its fans. That made it even easier. The deal means Gallagher will don a Canadiens sweater until the end of the 2020-21 season. Bergevin, historically reticent to follow an entry-level deal with a long-term extension, said Gallaghers contract made a lot of sense for the organization. At the end of the day, we feel comfortable, said Bergevin. Its always a risk going long-term with any player. We felt this time that the risk was worth it. ' ' '