Senators' MacArthur skates but remains 'a ways away'

Ottawa Senators left winger Clarke MacArthur skated Wednesday, taking a small but significant step in his return from a concussion, though head coach Dave Cameron says that return remains "a ways away," according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.

MacArthur's been out since Oct. 14, before which he went pointless in four games. He took to the ice in a track suit Wednesday, before his teammates practiced.

The recovery process is moving along at a snail's pace, but Cameron said it was good to see the 30-year-old on the ice, and hopes it lifted his club's spirits.

"If you're a hockey player you want to be able to skate, right? You want to be able to get on the ice. That's the first step," Cameron said. "He's still a ways away but just for your well being. It's what you do. It's your career. I'm sure it makes all the difference in the world to make that next step.

"First and foremost, he's a teammate, a human being and a good teammate, so guys are concerned when it's a long-term injury that (with) the nature of the injury - and I'm not saying Clarke's is - it can be career ending. Guys are concerned about their teammates. To get back on the ice is huge for hockey players."

There remains no timetable for MacArthur's return. He's signed through 2019-20 at a cap hit of $4.65 million.

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