Pretty tough start to the year for the Ottawa Senators.
Optimism was high among the players. A whole new coaching staff in place meant a fresh start for everyone. And while most of the experts seem pretty down on this team, it was clear that management, the coaches and the players in that locker room all had high hopes heading into the 2016/2017 campaign.
Those high hopes are being tested in the first three days of Camp.
First it was the news that Curtis Lazar had mono. Not overly serious but a tad discouraging to get the first injury update before the players had even hit the ice. More bad news during the first on-ice session as Mark Stone left with a concussion. It certainly doesn’t sound serious but considering what Stone went through late last year, it’s a pretty concerning start for one of the team’s best players.
And then on Sunday, with thousands of fans in attendance for what was expected to be a leisurely Sunday morning scrimmage, the worst news to date.
Clarke MacArthur, who missed almost all of last season battling a concussion, was carried off the ice following a questionable hit by Patrick Sieloff.
Everyone in the organization and in the fan base was so excited to see MacArthur finally back to 100%. The sight of seeing him helped off the ice in the second scrimmage of the year was enough to make you nauseous.
The Senators provided an initial update on MacArthur shortly after the scrimmage and not surprisingly, he’s been diagnosed with a concussion. The severity isn’t known yet but given his history, there’s really no such thing as a minor concussion.
It’s unfortunate but the question isn’t “how long will he be out?” but rather “can he ever play again?”
While you want to see players going hard in Camp, there was a line crossed here by roster hopeful Patrick Sieloff. And the reaction by veterans like Bobby Ryan (both on the ice and on social media) and Chris Neil shows that.
@lacrosseboy22 every time he gets run blindly? One hundred percent. 22 is a great age to learn what's acceptable isn't it?
— Bobby Ryan (@b_ryan9) September 25, 2016
This was a hit that would be questionable on an opponent in a game situation. To take a run like that at a teammate during a Sunday morning scrimmage is just unacceptable. The fact that it’s on a guy just trying to get used to the speed of the NHL game again makes it that much worse.
There’s no way any player is expecting to get hit like that in a scrimmage let alone a guy with MacArthur’s recent history.
The players and coaching staff, who were were all visibly shaken by the incident, now have to find a way to refocus and continue their preparations for the regular season.
The Senators and Maple Leafs will open the preseason schedule tomorrow in Halifax.
Here’s a look at the group heading East for the game tomorrow night.
