TORONTO – Dressed in a white Maple Leafs sweater, Phil Kessel was the first player to exit the ice at practice on Monday afternoon. 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.” Larry Smith Jersey . He spent the rest of the game making up for lost playing time. Green scored a career-high 36 points, including eight in overtime, and the Phoenix Suns beat Denver 112-107 on Tuesday night to hand the Nuggets their fifth consecutive loss. Rudy LaRusso Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.cheapwarriors.com/. LOUIS -- The St. Omari Spellman Jersey . - Mike Magee converted two penalty kicks in a 10-minute span of the first half and the Chicago Fire beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Sunday. Antawn Jamison Jersey . The rookie is rewarding their faith with a stellar first season. MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Jamie McGinn had two goals and an assist, and Colorado beat the Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Saturday.DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland overcame the late withdrawal of captain Paul OConnell to beat Scotland 28-6 in their Six Nations opener at Lansdowne Road on Sunday. OConnell picked up a chest infection on Saturday night, but the hugely influential lock wasnt missed for once as his replacement, Dan Tuohy, helped mince up the Scotland lineout in the first half and stand-in skipper Jamie Heaslip led by example with a try and high workrate. Ireland bridged halftime with tries by winger Andrew Trimble and Heaslip, and Jonathan Sexton added 13 points to overtake Michael Kiernan and become his countrys third highest point-scorer in tests. Fullback Rob Kearney, marking his 50th cap, added a late try when the result was already in Irelands grasp. Without OConnell, Sean OBrien and Gordon DArcy, three big contributors in the heart-breaking loss to New Zealand in the last outing in November, there was enough doubt about Irelands ability and mindset to achieve another good start in the last Six Nations for Brian ODriscoll. But the doubts proved unnecessary, as Ireland had enough class and nous for a Scotland still lacking a killer touch, and won its tournament opener for the 10th time in the last 11 years. Even so, Heaslip said coach Joe Schmidt tore into them after the game, saying they needed "huge improvements." The trouble with Ireland is finishing what it starts, unlike its next opponent, Wales, a slow Six Nations starter but fast finisher. The defending champion comes to Dublin next Saturday. "Massive, massive challenge coming," Kearney said. "We have to recover really well now. Weve only got six days, theyve had an extra day. Theyre going for three championships in a row, so were under no illusions." Heaslip and Schmidt said they were shocked to discover OConnell became ill overnight, hardly slept, and saw a doctor at 4:30 a.m. Schmidt said he expected OConnell, plus DArcy, to be available for the Wales game. "Its a relief to me that weve got through the game and got a win on the board," he said. Scotland coach Scott Johnson rued his sides naivety. "We may have to go to somee dark places and bring some torches," Johnson said.dddddddddddd "Theres a naivety there that well overcome by having some time in the saddle. They dont understand they are doing the hard bits quite easily, but its the finishing off." Scotland began the match by doing what it does best, holding the ball. The Scots worked 11 phases into the Ireland 22 until they were harshly penalized for holding too long. Then Greig Laidlaws long-range penalty hit the left upright. Sexton and Laidlaw swapped penalties, and Ireland ended up leading 6-3 into the second quarter. Not until the last 10 minutes did the heart-rate rise. No. 8 David Denton came closest to a Scotland try when he burst blindside off a ruck 10 metres out and was trying to reach out to the line when he was bowled into touch by scrumhalf Conor Murray and flanker Peter OMahony. As Ireland loosened Scotlands pressure -- winning four Scottish throw-ins helped -- Scots and Lions winger Sean Maitland landed awkwardly on his right ankle from jumping for an up and under and limped off with concussion. Sexton put the pressure back on Scotland by carving past tackles in midfield, and gave Heaslip a shot in the left corner, but the No. 8 stepped over the sideline just before he touched down. Ireland failed twice from five-meter lineouts with seconds to go and Scotlands defence looked like holding, but quick rucks helped Ireland find Scotland short on the right wing, where Kearney gave Trimble the overlap to score for an 11-3 halftime lead. "That gave us a little bit of breathing space," Kearney said. Soon after the restart, Laidlaw cut the deficit to five, but Ireland put the game away in the 47th when Tuohys lineout take was mauled by Ireland and Heaslip scored too easily. Sexton converted for 18-6 and added a third penalty before the hour. Ireland controlled possession throughout the half, and inevitably notched a third try to Kearney, who exploited a tiring defence when he slipped off replacement Alasdair Dickinson and dragged flanker Ryan Wilson to the tryline nine minutes from time. Scotland hosts England next Saturday. ' ' '