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Game Day: Senators vs Maple Leafs; MacArthur's Career In Jeopardy |
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The Senators will be icing a "B" lineup for the pre-season opener in Halifax tonight against the Maple Leafs.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau will be the lone forward who saw regular NHL action last season, joined by Nick Paul and Max McCormick who also saw time. It will be the first action for 2016 first round pick Logan Brown.
On the blue line, last year's 3rd pairing of Mark Borowiecki and Chris Wideman lead the way, with Mike Kostka also present. It will mean that Thomas Chabot, the 2015 first rounder who is expected to make a run for a roster spot, will get plenty of time in prime situations in his first chance to prove himself.
Andrew Hammond and Chris Driedger will be the goalies on the trip, for the 6:00 PM Eastern start.
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One player who is not on the trip, and unfortunately might be out for some time, if a return is ever in the offing is Clarke MacArthur. After missing nearly a full year with post-concussion symptoms, MacArthur was dropped by newcomer Pat Sieloff in yesterday's scrimmage and he has been diagnosed with yet another concussion, his 4th in about 18 months.
You have to fear for the player's quality of life at this point, and whether or not you could justify wishing for a return. It was a sad moment to see him helped off the ice yet again as the popular winger was trying to clear his head.
He will continue to be monitored, but as the frequency of the injuries increases and the length of time it has taken to recover, maybe it is time to hang up the skates.
It wasn't a particularly dirty hit, from a guy looking to make an impression and maybe picked the wrong guy to do it to. Bobby Ryan and Chris Neil both went after Sieloff after the hit.
I can see both sides, the veterans seeing a teammate who has struggled to get back, felled with one hit from a newcomer to the team, but on the other hand that newcomer has to make an impression to get a job either here (not likely) or in the AHL.
Unfortunately it was probably an inevitable situation, and if it wasn't Sieloff yesterday, it would have been someone from another team in the first exhibition game, or second, or some point down the road.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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