Clarke MacArthur played for the Maple Leafs for three seasons, spanning from 2010 to 2013.
Clarke MacArthur played for the Maple Leafs for three seasons, spanning from 2010 to 2013.
Things could have been different for Toronto had they beat the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs in 2013, former Maple Leaf Clarke MacArthur says.
The 38-year-old joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on Wednesday to discuss his playing career, what he's up to, and his three-year tenure with the Maple Leafs.
"I loved it there," MacArthur said. "We weren't ready to win, obviously. I think the second and third year, it got better. And then we lose to Boston in that series (in 2013) and then the good thing that we had going turns into the worst thing in the world.
"If you get through that series, it's like, 'Oh, we don't have to firesale everyone.' That's how it goes. You can't lose that game. Every time I hear Boston, I'm just like, 'Ugh, god.'"
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuUHCtNLUkc[/embed]
The 38-year-old had three points in five games during the 2013 series with the Bruins. In his three seasons with the Maple Leafs, MacArthur had 125 points (49 goals, 76 assists) in 195 games.
MacArthur would leave the Maple Leafs and sign with the Ottawa Senators following the historic loss to the Bruins in 2013. He signed an extension with Ottawa during the summer of 2014.
Following the 2014-15 season, MacArthur dealt with his fair share of concussions. In September 2016, he took a hit during training camp from Patrick Sieloff that gave him another concussion, his fourth in the last 19 months.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN3aKlY87ks[/embed]
"I was already out for a year-and-a-half or two years," MacArthur said. "I was disappointed. But for looking at Patrick and what he was doing, we had a new coach, he's in the minors. He's a hard-nosed good kid, like he's trying to make the team.
"He comes in, it's not like he hit me dirty... It was never his fault. It was just one of those things that happened. He was a good kid and a hard-nosed player."
Following the discussion about his concussions, MacArthur was asked whether he's kept up with the Maple Leafs after taking a break from watching hockey.
The 38-year-old said he has been watching and following the team closer this past season.
"It's disappointing a little bit for the fact that I played there and I get the pressure and it's hard to win the cup," the 38-year-old said.
"You can set it up however you want, you might not win the cup. You get injuries, certain things happen... But that's hockey. Toronto's a tough place to play but it's also an unbelievable place to play too.
"I don't know what they're going to do there. The window closes so quick every time with these contracts and the ages of players. You got to win when you can win."
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