Clarkson's agent presented Nonis with another thought prior to trade

Pat Morris, the agent for recently-traded forward David Clarkson, discussed numerous aspects of the deal on the radio program "Leafs Lunch" on TSN 1050 on Friday.

Morris discussed the lead-up to the trade, as well as Clarkson's time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and if he'd still recommend the Maple Leafs to clients.

Clarkson was rumored to have been discussed with other teams before the deal was made, which Morris confirmed:

"I actually spoke to Dave Nonis about another thought that we had on David, probably a week ago. I started with Nonis on that dialogue that had some legs, then (it) died," said Morris.

"Dave (Nonis) then said, 'I might be working on something else, would you have interest in listening to that?' It got serious the day before yesterday, we had some contact Wednesday, and then all day yesterday we worked through all the logistics that go into something like this."

Clarkson, a proud Toronto native, managed only 16 points during his 118-game tenure with the Maple Leafs and his agent mentioned his time in Toronto was tough off the ice as well.

"When you care and you’re sensitive and you wear your heart on the sleeve, it’s not going to help you.

"Everywhere there’s talk of the Leafs and the underachievement and you’re part of it. You carry it home and it doesn’t make for a very good environment at home. Some people can leave their job at the rink; I think David tried to."

Morris did throw a positive spin on the trade, giving credit to the Maple Leafs for providing great facilities and a classy working environment for clients:

"I think the organization, as with a handful of others in the NHL, they treat their players very well; with class, they treat them like gold, and offer all the elements that an athlete would enjoy," Morris explained. 

"Away from the rink, the practice rink is a great facility, and they’ll do anything to make it easier on the athlete and his family."