Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Clarkson’s fight with his back injury is seemingly coming to end. The winger will reportedly coach a local high school hockey team.
As first reported by the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline, David Clarkson will be the next head coach at Upper Arlington High School.The Columbus Blue Jackets winger has been volunteering as an assistant this season while trying to recover to what appears to be a career ending back injury.
Told #CBJ RW David Clarkson, whose career is likely over due to chronic back injury, will be varsity head coach at Upper Arlington HS.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 29, 2017
Clarkson has spent this season as a coach for suburban Columbus high school team. The Columbus Dispatch has been covering this story all season long. Portzline put out an article on February 14th documenting Clarkson’s recovery. Clarkson is currently on the long term injured reserve (LTIR).
Clarkson has been working as a volunteer assistant this season as he waited on back to heal. UA school board must approve his hiring.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 29, 2017
Clarkson was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Nathan Horton in 2015. Both seemed to have succumbed to back injuries that shortened their NHL careers. Clarkson will likely finish his career only playing 26 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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Affecting the Blue Jackets Heading Forward
Clarkson leaving the game will have some long term affects for the Columbus Blue Jackets salary cap, as well as the expansion draft. A prominent reason Toronto wanted to trade Clarkson was due to his massive, burdensome contract. Clarkson is signed until 2020 and set to make $5.25 million per year.
With his placement on the LTIR, the Jackets have most of his contract off the books, not affecting the salary cap too much.
A big step for the future is that Clarkson will now likely drop his no movement clause in his contract. Dropping his NMC will allow the CBJ to protect a different player in the upcoming expansion draft.
Clarkson has become big part of the Central Ohio hockey community. Its great that it looks like he won’t be leaving anytime soon. The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Clarkson’s health will not affect how Jackets fans appreciate him or on the major impact on the future of hockey Clarkson will have.