Despite being lost for the first 10 games of the regular season for leaving the bench to join an altercation, David Clarkson is taking a positive approach to his suspension, saying the on-ice brawl between the Sabres and Leafs on Sunday night has worked to unite the club. “It brings you together, it unites everybody. Im hoping thats what this did. I think its going to carry us a long way,” Clarkson said on TSN Radio 1050 Wednesday afternoon. “And I think for teams to be successful thats the type of locker room you need to have – you have to have each others back.” The rugged winger was apologetic, but at the same time proud of the way his team responded to an incident which resulted in star forward Phil Kessel being banned for the remainder of the pre-season and Sabres coach Ron Rolston fined for “player selection and team conduct.” “The phone calls that I got from around the league, my teammates thanking me, that means more than what anyone else says. Well move on from this, well squash it and Ill push these guys to be ready and when I get back Ill be raring to go.” In trying to explain the reasoning behind his decision to leave the bench upon seeing the Sabres six-foot-eight enforcer John Scott initiate a confrontation with Kessel, Clarkson said his instincts took over. “Its a tough because if you felt like your brother or your sister or a family member was in trouble what would your reaction be? “I think what I got out of it was to next time to use my head and not my heart, but I went with my heart. I think Ive got to where I am by playing with my heart and using my heart a lot and I think that was a reaction with my heart.” The Mimico, ON native who signed a seven-year, $36.75-million with his hometown team in the off-season will now be forced to make his debut on Oct. 25 in Columbus. “All I can do now is to push these guys in practice…I will be the biggest supporter and Im hoping to travel with the day, but Ill be ready for that day when it comes." Being undrafted after spending three years with the OHLs Kitchener Rangers, the 29-year-olds path to the NHL has not come easy and he is confident his past experiences will help him deal with the pressure that comes with signing a lucrative free agent deal. “If I came here when I was younger in my career it may be different, but now I have a very supportive family at home and Im coming here and Im going to be myself. Im not changing for anybody, I dont care what the situation is. “I know what made me successful. Its going to the front of the net, its creating plays creating room on the ice, blocking shots.” Despite the suspension, his time in Toronto has been a positive one thus far and he feels like the Leafs are primed to build upon the teams first playoff berth in nearly a decade. "Weve got something special going on in this room. Weve got a great group of guys, were going in the right path, were going in the right direction. “Hopefully this shows everyone in the league that were together.” Vapormax Plus Wholesale . The question is how many minutes will be available to them and can any of their defence or goaltending provide value? Top Picks: Following a down year in 2011-2012, Matt Duchene rebounded with his highest points-per-game (0. Cheap Air Foamposite .5 million. The 25-year-old Varlamov is thriving under first-year coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, posting a 26-9-5 record with a 2. http://www.outletvapormaxireland.com/. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres came to an agreement on a big trade that may only offer incremental improvement to the Blues in their quest for a Stanley Cup. Cheap Vapormax Ireland . -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. Air Foamposite Wholesale .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown. DAVIE, Fla. -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. "Thats right," offensive line coach Jim Turner hollered. "Nice short first step." The Dolphins hope McKinnies arrival Tuesday marks a big step in the right direction for a team reeling from pass-protection problems. They acquired the 12th-year pro Monday from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick. "Hes a heck of a player," said tackle Jonathan Martin, whose role likely will be affected by the trade. "Anytime you bring in a guy like that, its going to make you better." McKinnie might not be ready for Sundays game at New England, or even the Halloween game against Cincinnati. But barring sudden, dramatic improvement by right tackle Tyson Clabo, McKinnie is expected to move into the starting lineup eventually. He likely would assume his customary spot at left tackle, with Martin moving from the left side to right tackle as Clabos replacement. McKinnie practiced only on the left side Tuesday, and while Clabo and Martin remained with the first team, Martin worked some on the right. "Its a decision the GM and the coaching staff thought they had to make," Martin said. "You can approach this two different ways. You can go in the tank and be one of those guys that moans and is a cancer in the locker room, or you can be a professional and play as hard as you can. My mindset is Im going to go out there and do whatever I can to help the team win." The 34-year-old McKinnie, who played for the Miami Hurricanes and spends offseasons in South Florida, said he looked forward to helping the Dolphins. "It feels good to be back here and get a chance to play in front of people who saw me play in college -- and to be in my own bed," he said. McKinnie has had off-the-field issues in South Florida in the past, and was involved iin the "Love Boat" scandal in 2005 while with the Minnesota Vikings.dddddddddddd He acknowledged his reputation for partying. "Thats when Im off," he said. "See, thats Big Mac during the off-season. Bryant McKinnie is the person who comes to work and handles his business. Thats who youll get right now." Coach Joe Philbin, who stresses the need for his players to have good character, said McKinnie will be judged on what he does at the Dolphins complex. "Im concerned about what he does in this building," Philbin said. "I dont mandate what people do outside the building. I expect him to be a professional, just like all the other guys." The trade means McKinnie now works for his former girlfriend, tennis champion Venus Williams. She and her sister Serena own a small share of the Dolphins. "Venus texted me and said she had a lot to do with the trade," McKinnie said with a laugh. "And then Serena hit me up and said to refer to her as boss now." McKinnie, a Pro Bowl tackle in 2009, lost his starting job after five games this season and was inactive for the first time in his career the past two weeks. He recently had his right knee drained and said its fine now. The 6-foot-8 McKinnie, one of the largest players in the NFL, weighed in at 364 pounds and said he hopes to play at about 355. His newly issued No. 78 practice jersey was too small to cover his midsection. The Dolphins (3-3) are desperate for better pass protection. During their current three-game losing streak, theyve given up 12 sacks, and Ryan Tannehill leads the NFL with 26. McKinnie declined to predict how soon he might play, as did Philbin. But guard Richie Incognito, who was traded by the St. Louis Rams during the 2009 season, predicted McKinnie would be ready for the Patriots on Sunday. "No question I think he can do that," Incognito said. "I showed up on a Thursday in Buffalo and started Sunday, so it has been done before." ' ' '