For the first time since a devastating hit during a Sunday morning training camp scrimmage derailed his latest attempt at a comeback, Clarke MacArthur met with the media.
One thing is clear- Clarke MacArthur isn’t done as an NHL player. As he put it, there are still “logs burning on the fire”.
In the last couple weeks, the organization has been surprisingly positive about his possible return. While some assumed that the latest hit represented the end of the line for MacArthur, it seems like he’s progressing a little bit quicker compared to last year. Recovery from a concussion is next to impossible to predict and the severity of the symptoms seems to vary from injury to injury, but to this point, things seem to be going well.
That certainly doesn’t mean a return is imminent.
When pressed on the subject today, Guy Boucher mentioned a couple times that this is going to be a lengthy process. The team and its doctors are going to keep a close eye on MacArthur and obviously take their time. Nobody in the organization is putting a potential timeline on a return at this point.
Fans have expressed ongoing concern for the guy but it’s impossible not to root for MacArthur and a return to the ice. Not just because of what it would mean for the team but because it’s clear that he’s worked so hard to get back.
MacArthur has skated on his own a few times and is going to accompany the team on the upcoming road trip. The fact that he’s able to travel with the team is a pretty good indication that things are nowhere near as bad as they were at times last season. He obviously has a long road ahead of him but it’s great to see him taking steps in the right direction.
The full media availability with Clarke MacArthur is available below.
