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.” Adidas NMD R1 Womens Raw Pink . On Tuesday, the star questioned whether that was still the case. Speaking to reporters at a charity event, Johnson said: "I just kind of wonder sometimes: Is this still the place for me?" Johnsons comments came after he was asked why he recently skipped a voluntary minicamp. Cheap NMD For Sale . Jurrjens signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati in May, and was 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA at Triple-A Louisville. He has a 53-37 record with a 3.63 ERA in seven major league seasons, including five with Atlanta. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/. - Robert Griffin III has a sprained throwing shoulder that limited him in practice Wednesday as the Washington Redskins prepared for their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Adidas NMD R2 Cheap . -- Canadian mens rugby coach Kieran Crowley has made four changes to his starting roster for Saturdays Pacific Nations Cup clash against the United States. Best Fake NMD Human Race . The Brazilian heads into Saturday afternoons race coming off a close runner-up finish to Ryan Hunter-Reay in the Indianapolis 500.Oklahoma City, OK (SportsNetwork.com) - The Oklahoma City Thunder remained hot with their main cogs back in the lineup. Russell Westbrook had 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and the Thunder routed the Phoenix Suns 112-88 on Sunday night. Kevin Durant posted 23 points and eight boards for the Thunder, who are 6-1 since he returned from offseason foot surgery, winning the last six. Gerald Green tallied 15 points and seven boards to lead Phoenix, which has lost five straight games. After Green hit a 3-pointer to get the Suns within 12-9 early in the first quarter, the Thunder went on a 9-3 run to create some distance. Westbrook netted the final five points during the flurry, including a three- point play to cap it and sttake the Thunder to a 21-12 lead midway through the first.dddddddddddd Reggie Jacksons jumper at the first-quarter buzzer helped the Thunder take a 41-29 cushion into the second. They opened the second on a 13-4 surge to take a commanding advantage. Kendrick Perkins hook shot concluded the burst and gave the Thunder a 54-33 lead. The Thunder led 70-48 at the break, 89-64 after three and cruised to the easy triumph in the fourth. Game Notes The Thunder held a commanding 63-40 rebounding edge and a 50-40 margin on points in the paint ... Oklahoma City was 30-of-34 from the foul line ... The Thunder shot 48.8 percent from the floor and held Phoenix to 34.3 percent from the field. ' ' '