NHL

Devils’ Clarkson seeing the light

Devils brass could well wish their rookies had as strong a training camp as David Clarkson did. Veterans, too, for that matter.

The 25-year-old appears ready to make last season’s breakout year look like a prelude to even bigger things. He has been the standout of training camp, where he doesn’t even get to fully use his trademark aggression.

“I really worked hard this summer. I hope they’ve noticed,” said Clarkson, another in the Devils’ great line of never-drafted free-agent signings. “I feel it’s going to be a breakout year for me, if given the opportunity.”

Ah, there’s the rub. Clarkson plays right wing, where the Devils already boast captain Jamie Langenbrunner, coming off a heroic career season, and Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s leading active goal-scorer with 656. Rookies Niclas Bergfors, Vladimir Zharkov and Matt Halischuk are vying for a spot, and the winner certainly will receive lots of ice time to promote development.

Clarkson was on the second line with Dainius Zubrus and Brian Rolston when Zubrus scored the only goal 1:40 into last night’s 1-0 exhibition triumph over the Flyers in Newark. Martin Brodeur, expected to play his 1,000th game on opening night Oct. 3, went the distance for the shutout.

Clarkson has two goals in three exhibition appearances, and he is looking to score more than last year’s 17.

“You’re always thinking of the team first, and last year, we had a great year, but there were things we have to do, and do better,” Clarkson said. “Personally, I want to have more goals this year, push myself to be in front of the net more.

“I’m still going to fight and try to change the momentum of games, and keep my feet moving.”

Head coach Jacques Lemaire seems to regard Clarkson as an important part of the plan. Clarkson said the new voice is saying meaningful things.

“Defensively, I learned a lot from this coach already,” Clarkson said. “They’re common-sense things, but things you don’t think about a lot. Positioning, the new style, it allows a guy like me to take off and go. I’m excited to get going.”

mark.everson@nypost.com