David Clarkson has failed his physical and will not be with the Blue Jackets when they start training camp, reports Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.
The 32-year-old winger has a lower-back injury, according to Jackets president of hockey ops John Davidson.
Injuries limited Clarkson, whose contract is insured, to just 23 games (2G, 2A) for the Jackets last season. He was traded to Columbus from Toronto in February of last year, in return for injured winger Nathan Horton (whose contract is not insured and who hasn’t played an NHL game in over two years).
Clarkson is signed through 2019-20 for a cap hit of $5.25 million, and the way his contract is structured makes it practically buyout-proof. But if cap relief is required, the Jackets may now be able to place him on long-term injured reserve.
When, or if, he’ll be able to play again remains to be seen.
Clarkson's injury is lower back, Davidson says. He's asked to have physical before rest of #CBJ to avoid being a camp distraction.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 21, 2016
Clarkson's injury is a back injury. "Every time he tries to work out, it's bothersome. He's disappointed," Davidson said. #CBJ
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) September 21, 2016
