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Leafs’ Robidas cleared for contact, Clarkson injured

DavidClarkson

The Toronto Maple Leafs got a bit of good news and bad news Saturday.

The good: offseason acquisition Stephane Robidas (broken leg) has been cleared for contact and is nearing a return.

Robidas, who signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Leafs in the summer, is coming off an injury plagued season in which he fractured his leg twice, first with the Dallas Stars and then with the Anaheim Ducks.

“I felt really good, there’s no pain or anything like that, it’s just the timing,” said Robidas following Saturday’s Leafs practice at the Air Canada Centre. “I think I need a few practices. Today was the first real practice that I did. We did a little bit of scrimmage.

“I couldn’t skate with anyone this summer so I just skated on my own. Conditioning wise I felt really good.”

The 37-year-old defenseman won’t play Sunday when the Leafs play the second of a home-and-home with the Buffalo Sabres in Toronto, but is hoping to be ready for the Leafs preseason finale on Oct. 3.

On Saturday, he spent time practicing with Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf in what could be Toronto’s top pairing during the regular season.

“He’s a really good player,” said Robidas. “I’ve had the chance to see him play over the years. He’s a solid two-way player. He can move the puck and he can be physical. For me, it’s a big thing to play on the right side, I can’t play the left side so we’ll see what happens there.

“I’m comfortable playing with anyone, if I have a chance to play with a guy like Dion, for sure it’d be a lot of fun.”

The bad: forward David Clarkson was scheduled to see doctors Saturday to have his cheekbone looked at.

Clarkson dropped the gloves with Sabres tough guy Cody McCormick during the third period of the Leafs 6-4 win in Buffalo Friday night.

Clarkson took a big left hook from McCormick under the right eye and headed straight to the Leafs dressing room following the fight.

It was the 30-year-old’s first preseason game of the year as he missed the first four nursing a lower body injury.

If you’re a Leafs fan, you have to hope this isn’t a serious injury. Clarkson of course was suspended 10 games after leaving the bench to join an altercation against the very same Buffalo Sabres during the preseason last year. That suspension coupled with others and injuries allowed Clarkson to play in just 60 games last season where he scored a career-low five goals and 11 points. This after he signed a monstrous seven-year, $37 million contract last summer.

Memo to Clarkson: maybe keep the gloves on, especially in the preseason.

Tallinder to see specialist

Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said Saturday that any further information on defenseman Henrik Tallinder, who suffered a dislocated shoulder Friday, would come after further assessment. Tallinder, 35, is at Leafs camp on a tryout.

Leafs make roster moves

The Leafs announced Saturday that Trevor Smith, Kevin Marshall and Spencer Abbott, all who were placed on waivers Friday, had cleared and would report to the AHL’s Marlies.

Toronto also assigned forward Tyler Biggs and goaltender Garret Sparks to their AHL affiliate Saturday.

Follow @dcmahiban