SENS BRACE FOR NEWS ON MACARTHUR’S FUTURE
Adversity is hitting the Senators earlier, it seems, than ever before.
As if missing Erik Karlsson wasn’t enough, they could be without not just one, but two more key veterans by the time their NHL season begins Oct. 5.
A decision on the future of winger Clarke MacArthur is expected as soon as Thursday, when 57 players report to Canadian Tire Centre for medicals and physical testing.
MacArthur, who battled back from an 18-month concussion layoff to shine in the Senators’ playoff run last spring, hinted as far back as locker cleanout day that his career could be over when he said he had been experiencing neck pain.
While he was scheduled to arrive in Ottawa on Wednesday night, it’s believed MacArthur will talk with doctors, including a concussion expert, before deciding whether to proceed with camp.
Speculation was rampant earlier this week when MacArthur mentioned on social media that his daughter was about to start school in Rochester, N.Y., where he and his family live. But even if he does play, the plan is for his wife and kids to remain behind.
MacArthur, a popular 32-year old team leader who scored the series-winning overtime goal when the Senators knocked out the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs, has three years left on a contract that pays him $4.65 million per season.
Meanwhile, centre Derick Brassard was on the ice and fully participating in the Senators’ last “informal” skate Wednesday at Sensplex and did say the shoulder he had surgically repaired when the playoffs were over “feels good” — even if it’s not yet 100 per cent.
Brassard could offer no guarantees he’ll be available for the season opener against the Capitals.
“I’m not sure, I think the training camp is going to determine that,” said the slick centre.
“I’m going to practise with the team and everything ... then me and (director of sports medicine) Gerry (Townend) and (GM) Pierre (Dorion), we’re going to try and make a decision after.”
Brassard also participated in the team golf tournament Monday and had full range of motion.
“I’m fine,” he said. “Usually they say four to six months because it takes at least four months to heal inside. You probably feel like you can go, but at the end of the day the inside of my shoulder has to heal properly. That’s why I’ve got to get cleared.”
The on-ice segment of Senators training camp begins Friday with two-a-day Sensplex sessions starting at 10 a.m. The team will hold its annual Fan Fest Sunday starting at 9 a.m. at Canadian Tire Centre, then host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first pre-season game Monday night.
Of the 57 players reporting, six are goalies, 18 defencemen and 33 are forwards. A total of 26 were selected by the Senators in the NHL draft, 13 were signed as free agents, 10 were obtained in trades, three signed to American Hockey League contracts, three are on professional tryouts and two others are on amateur tryouts.
Brassard mentioned a sense of excitement around the opening of camp and the start of the regular season.
“With the success we had last year, I think the challenge will be even bigger for our team,” he said. “You look at the teams in our division, they pretty much all got better. It’s one of the best divisions in hockey. We have pretty much the same group coming back with good chemistry. We have some interesting events ahead of us.
“We’ll go to P.E.I. in the pre-season and it will be good for team spirit to go to Dion’s (Phaneuf ) place when we are there. Then we’ll go to Sweden and have the outdoor game ... it’s going to be a fun year.”
But also one with a lot of local pressure. After making it within a goal of the Cup final in May, expectations, at least in Ottawa, are for the Senators to contend this season.
Outside the nation’s capital, meanwhile, the Senators are getting little respect.
Earlier this week, Bodog listed them 19th among teams with the best chance to claim Lord Stanley’s coveted mug.
“We can’t put pressure on ourselves, we have to go game by game,” said Brassard, who has been to a final with the New York Rangers. “We just have to remember the good things we’ve done. We have confidence, but you have to expect other teams are going to be ready for us. You just try to bring the experience you gained last year into this season.”
To have a good year, the Senators will also have to be able to handle all sorts of adversity. Looks like they’ll get early practice at that this season.
With the success we had last year, I think the challenge will be even bigger for our team.