Ottawa Senators LW Clarke MacArthur Not Nearing Return
After suffering a concussion early this season, Ottawa Senators LW Clarke MacArthur hasn’t made much progress and still has no timetable for his return.
Remember Clarke MacArthur? Since his arrival in 2013, he’s been a popular face on the team. Unfortunately, a face that just has not been seen much.
After a 55 point first season in a Senators uniform in the 2013-2014 season, MacArthur impressed Ottawa and its fans earning himself a five-year $23.25 million contract extension. Since then, it almost seems like MacArthur has disappeared.
Although he did play 62 games in the 2014-2015 season, MacArthur’s season ended abruptly after a head on collision with former Ottawa goaltender Robin Lehner, which gave him a concussion. In those 62 games played, MacArthur recorded 36 points but struggled to stay consistent offensively.
After the season ending injury, it gave him a chance to regroup in the offseason and try again next year. That idea, however, was short lived.
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This preseason MacArthur was bumped by newly acquired D Mark Fraser which shook him up, but he was able to stay with the team and was good to go near the start of the regular season. Just 4 games into the year, MacAthur sustained yet another head injury and was declared “out indefinitely” with another head injury.
The Ottawa Senators have done well without him, but the thought of how much better this team could be with MacArthur back in the lineup is truly interesting. With no timetable on his return, the Senators continue to utilize other options.
Shane Prince has been one of those options, and he has thrived spending the majority of his time on the 2nd and 3rd line. Through 18 games the rookie has 2 goals and 7 points.
The options continue to wear thin, though. With Milan Michalek’s recent hand injury, the team has called up LW Dave Dzuirzynsky. The 26-year-old played 12 games for the Senators in the 2012-2013 season and is joining the team on their current eastern conference road trip.
The big-bodied 6’3 forward looked particularly good on Sunday against the New York Rangers, posting his first NHL assist and nearly scoring his 3rd career NHL goal. Unfortunately, Rangers star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist had something to say about that.
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Dzuirzynsky has continued to impress on the team’s current eastern conference road trip.
Who knows when Clarke MacArthur will make his return, but when he does he will be greeted with open arms. In the past, MacArthur has had lots of success playing with Kyle Turris, who, right now is doing wonders for the Senator’s top line.