Clarke'slegacy as winnercontinuesafter playingdays

Clarke has served two stints, including a current one, as general manager of the Flyers. Clarke's first stint was highlighted by two failed Stanley Cup Final appearances, a public battle with then-coach Mike Keenan and a Jong hold-out by star goalie Ron Hextall.

His current time bas seen one failed Cup final He has also come under fire for some of his trades and coaching decisions.

RON D'ORAZIO

Robert Earle Clarke, a man as well known for his many contributions to the city of Philadelphia's sports realm as he is for his nickname, Bobby, may have once again become a winner.

As player with the Philadelphia Flyers, Clarke thrived on winning due to his skills and tenacious work ethic.

Since retiring from his playing days,

Clarke gave away popular winger Mikael Renberg as compensation for signing Chris Gratton from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Clarke supplied five fume draft picks in the deal as well.

Clarke signed Gratton to a $15 million contract after Gratton scored 30 goals dfiling the previous season.

Gratton proceeded to net just 22 in his first year as a Flyer and just one in the first half of his second year with the team. He was traded back to Tampa in December of

1998, for Renberg and center Daymond Langkow.

Clarke publicly announced that he made a judgmental error about Gratton. The error cost the Flyers almost $11 million for oneand-a-balf seasons.

Clarke hired Wayne Cashman, a long-time assistant coach, to replace Terry Murray, who had taken the Flyers to the finals not more than two weeks before. Cashman did not even last a season before Clarke replaced him with Roger Neilson.

Clarke, showing that tenacity he is famous for, decided to blast team captain Eric Lindros before the current season, telling him to have more of a presence out on the ice. Lindros is now enjoying an MVP-type season.

This season, however, Clarke has turned things around with the Renberg re-trade, as well as a few other good moves.

Clarke brought winger Keith Jones in from the Colorado Avalanche for light scoring winger Shjon Podein. Jones is now the right side of one of the top-scoring lines in the National Hockey League, perfectly complementing center Eric Lindros and winger John LeClair.

Another stellar move has been the import of winger Valeri Zelepukin for scrapper Dan Lacroix. Lacroix had no goals when th~ trade was made at the end of November. He now plays in the minor league system, while Zelepukin has eight goals in the last two months and is the left wing on the second scoring line.

Clarke, for all of the flack be has taken during his time here, might have discovered the winning combination. So sit back and enjoy the ride. By the way, Mr. Clarke, thanks for LeCJair and Eric Desjardins.

RonD'Oraziois a seniormajoringin English/ communication.Heis oneof Loquitur'ssports editors.HestillregretssellinghisRenbergjersey lastseason.