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Forward David Clarkson scored 30 goals for the New Jersey Devils in 2011-12.

(The Associated Press)

(MLive.com periodically will profile a potential Detroit Red Wings free-agent target until the start of free agency on July 5).

David Clarkson

2012-13 team: New Jersey

Position: Right wing

Height/Weight: 6-1/200

Age: 29

Shoots: Right

2012-13 stats: (regular season) 48 games, 15 goals, 9 assists, 24 points, minus-7 rating, 78 penalty minutes, averaged 17:35 in ice time.

Career stats: (regular season) 426 games, 97 goals, 73 assists, 170 points, minus-32 rating, 770 penalty minutes; (playoffs) 44 games, 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points, plus-3 rating, 79 penalty minutes.

2012-13 salary: $3 million.

Strengths: He has scoring ability, leading the Devils with 15 goals this season and scoring 30 in 2011-12, and is dangerous on the power play (14 goals in past two seasons). Add to that his agitating, in-your-face style and fighting ability and you have a player who is hard to play against. He has had 76 fights in six seasons, according to hockeyfights.com.

Weaknesses: He doesn't have a lot of skills. He has been a minus player through most of his career. Has a tendency to take bad penalties while trying to get under the opposition's skin.

Notable: Undrafted player from Toronto who signed with the Devils as a free agent in 2005. … Scored 10 goals in the first 15 games in 2012-13 and only five in the final 33 games.

Why he would interest the Red Wings: They need a goal-scorer. They could use some more size and abrasiveness. His fighting ability would also help a team making a transition into a more rough-and-tumble Eastern Conference. And his right-handed shot would be valuable to a team dominated by lefties.

How he could fit in with the Red Wings: He would play on a top-two line and on the power play.

What it might take to get him: His combination of finishing and fighting ability in a thin market will drive up his price if he doesn't re-sign with the Devils. He should have no trouble getting a 50-percent raise to $4.5 million a season, maybe more when teams start throwing money around.

Where does Clarkson rank on your free-agent wish list for the Red Wings? How much do you think the team should offer him if it pursues him?