MACARTHUR IN LIMBO — AGAIN
Senator fails medical as camp opens
The news couldn’t have come as a complete shock to Clarke MacArthur and the Senators, but that didn’t make it any easier to hear.
MacArthur failed his medical test on the opening day of training camp Thursday, once again putting his future in the NHL in doubt.
MacArthur, a left winger, has sat out the majority of the past two seasons with concussion problems, although he did return in the final week of the 2016-17 regular season before having a major impact on the Senators’ playoff run, which ended in the Eastern Conference final.
While there were concerns throughout the summer about MacArthur’s status for the 201718 season — he talked about neck pain as the players packed up following their run — the worst fears weren’t confirmed until Thursday’s tests.
“Right now, we don’t know much, but he won’t be part of camp,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. “He was disappointed, but at the same time, he looked in great shape (skating). He trained all summer.”
Dorion provided few additional details — he wouldn’t even confirm that MacArthur failed the medical for concussion-related problems — only saying he had a quick discussion with MacArthur and the club’s doctors.
“We know Clarke worked hard last year to come back,” Dorion said. “We have to think about the person first here. I think we always have an obligation as an organization to do that. Everything has come so quick (Thursday) that I really don’t have much more about the situation.”
It’s hardly an ideal way to start the season. Captain Erik Karlsson (foot) and centre Derick Brassard (shoulder) also begin training camp on the sidelines, recovering from off-season surgeries.
MacArthur didn’t speak publicly Thursday. Dorion says he told him to try to stay away from his phone for the next few days.
“Hopefully,” Dorion said, “we can have an update at some point in time during camp or once the season starts.”
MacArthur, 32 and an 11-year NHL veteran, has been a study in persistence and dedication while dealing with a series of concussions during the past three seasons.
He missed the final two months of the 2014-15 season following a goalmouth collision that also involved former Senators goaltender Robin Lehner and Carolina’s Jay McClement. But he returned for the playoffs.
After attempting to play through a concussion suffered during the pre-season in September 2015, he made it through only four regular games before hitting his head on the ice four games in the regular season. While he made progress throughout the season and was ready to return for the final weeks of the 201516 campaign, doctors advised against a return.
During training camp last September, he suffered yet another concussion when hit by prospect Patrick Sieloff during the club’s first intrasquad scrimmage. Again, MacArthur made steady progress, but was repeatedly denied medical clearance to return.
He seriously contemplated retirement before finally receiving the go-ahead to return in the final week of the regular season. MacArthur had a solid playoff performance, scoring three goals — including the series-clinching overtime goal against Boston in the first round — and six assists in 19 games.
Now, though, he has once again entered the here-we-go-again scenario, unclear when, or if, he will ever play again.
“From the get-go, we have said we would leave it in the hands of the doctors, (who) indicated to us that he’s not clear, medically, to play,” Dorion added.
During the summer, Dorion said the organization knew it was a possibility that MacArthur would not pass his medical, but the plan was for him to play somewhere on the club’s top two lines. Beyond his numbers — he has scored 133 goals and 171 assists in 552 games during his career — MacArthur provides invaluable leadership, showing the way for the club’s younger players.
“There was always uncertainty, but you never know,” Dorion said. “We were counting on Clarke, but there was always uncertainty about Clarke to a certain degree and for us we feel we have some good young players coming up.”
At this point anyway, Dorion says he’s not looking to make a trade to fill the void. Ryan Dzingel, Alex Burrows and/or Zack Smith will be among those asked to pick up the slack.
The dressing room door also opens a little bit wider for Colin White, Max McCormick, Chris DiDomenico, Tyler Randell, Mike Blunden, Ben Sexton and Max Reinhart. Chris VandeVelde, attending camp on a professional tryout offer, could also receive a longer look due to the uncertainty surrounding MacArthur.
MacArthur has three years and US$14.25 million remaining on his contract. If he’s not cleared to return, the Senators would put him on the long-term injury list, where his salary would not be counted against the cap.
Insurance would cover 80 per cent of the salary, meaning the Senators would have the salary room to replace him with another player.
As for now, though, the Senators are hoping for nothing but a return to health for MacArthur.
“Right now,” Dorion said, “I’m just focused on making sure that we try to get through camp without any more injuries. That would probably be the biggest focus right now. If it was up to me, I would like to cancel all six (pre-season) games and just start (the regular season) on Oct. 5.”
We have to think about the person first here. I think we always have an obligation as an organization to do that.