Buffalo Sabres RFA Report: Clarke MacArthur

by David Oleksy on May 20, 2008 11:54 PM EDT

This is the third of the free agent reports that I'll be doing over the next couple of weeks. There is no hurry on getting these done so I have not set a time table on when they will be completed. There will be posts everyday but we will focus on whatever is news worthy instead of only the free agent reports.

Daniel Paille (RFA)- read post
Paul Gaustad (RFA)- read post
Clarke MacArthur (RFA)-
Steve Bernier (RFA)-
Mark Mancari (RFA)-
Dmitri Kalinin (UFA)-
Teppo Numminen (UFA)-
Nolan Pratt (UFA)-
Mike Ryan (UFA)-
Jocelyn Thibault (UFA)-

C Clarke MacArthur- 6'0", 190 lbs.

07-08 37GP 8G-7A-15P 20PIM
career 56GP 11G-11A-22P 24PIM

Strengths

MacArthur has the ability to score a goal anytime he is on the ice. He is a creative offensive player that skates well. MacArthur has been a point per game player at every level of hockey besides the NHL. He has natural talent that most hockey players dream about.

Weaknesses

Like many young hockey players he struggles with consistency. MacArthur displayed offensive talent when he played in Buffalo but he would disappear for long stretches while in the NHL. To this point MacArthur has not lived up to the huge potential that Buffalo thought they had when they drafted him in the third round in 2003. MacArthur needs to get stronger to play at a more consistent level in the NHL. If MacArthur can build his strength to become a more consistent player he could potentially be a top six forward in the league.

Bottom Line

MacArthur needs to develop into an offensive forward in the very near future if he will ever become an everyday NHL forward. He needs to work out in the off-season to become stronger and to hopefully increase his confidence. He may get some attention from other teams but he will come at a relatively cheap price because of his unproven status.

Verdict: The Sabres will probably re-sign MacArthur in the off-season but he will have to prove in training camp that he deserves to be in the NHL. If he is sent down to the minors, he will need to clear waivers and some team will probably claim him.

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Comments

Nice Post

but I was wondering if you had any other info like face off percentage and any defensive stats you could throw in there…In my mind that was the biggest drop from loosing Drury was a good two way center…I would rather take a center that can get 60-80 pts per year and is great on the PK than one that is streaky at offense ~ 70 pts per year and sucks at D…Plus I think we need a centerman that can win the crucial faceoff, at the end of the year we had one (and Im pissed I can’t remember now) was is it Goose or Mac but one of those two guys was clutch when we needed a face off win and his overall stat was pretty good too I think i remember something like 57-60%...feel free to correct me if I’m wrong

by Lion Alum on May 21, 2008 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

I think you’re right, Lion Alum – any way that the team can get back that grinding, tough mentality that they had and lost this past season is a plus by me. I don’t care how it happens, whether it’s a two-way center, better defensemen (I think that’s a given at this point) or what, just so long as it happens. The team didn’t really have an identity last year, in my eyes – that needs to change.

As for MacArthur, he’s got elite tools. This is a young team. If he’s on the roster from the outset of next season, make him a lineup regular and let him take his lumps. If he’s sent down to the minors, it may be time to shop him.

by Brian Galliford on May 21, 2008 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't have that info

I wish I had the faceoff percentage of MacArthur but I don’t, at least not right now. When he was with Buffalo he played mostly on the Left Wing and I probably should have added that to his position. I can’t find that data for the AHL but I have contacted the Rochester Americans to see if that stat is kept and how could get it. As far as the faceoff guy, it was Goose. Paul Gaustad was outstanding near the end of the season on faceoffs.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com

by David Oleksy on May 21, 2008 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

I was reading

somewhere that Campbell may be back in Buffalo before next season. True/False?

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on May 22, 2008 3:11 AM EDT reply actions

Having Soupy

is def a plus…esp on the PP…but at what price…I would much rather see more development and time spent on the likes of Sekera and Weber and Paetsch…Also I am interested to see what Bernier can do with a full season with this team, all the reports say that he has a ton of unused potential and it will be interesting to see if he pans out…but back to the original question at what price will any team get campbell maybe him being a bust in the playoffs will help bring his asking price back down to a reasonable number

by Lion Alum on May 22, 2008 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Having Soupy

I agree with that take Lion. I would love to have Campbell back in the blue-and-gold but at a reasonable price. I think what he was asking was way too high, but I also think there are a couple of desperate teams out there, that are going to pay him that money. I would just try to develop the young guys and see what is available in free agency. I too am interested in Bernier, and as a cheap plug, he will be the next RFA that will be featured.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com

by David Oleksy on May 22, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

ohhh and

GO PENS….normally I do not root for any pittsburgh team (being an avid buf fan) but I really really really really HATE the wings and I hope that they get squashed

by Lion Alum on May 22, 2008 7:37 AM EDT reply actions

I can echo these sentiments as well. I’m sick of the Red Wings. Go Pens.

by Brian Galliford on May 22, 2008 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Anti-Superstar

It’s kind of funny because I have always been anti-superstar when cheering for other teams. I hated the Oilers because of Gretzky, I hated the Penguins because of Lemieux, I hated the Bulls because of Jordan and I hate the Pats because of Brady but there is something about Sidney Crosby and the Penguins that I truly admire. I really enjoy watching them play and other than the four games against Buffalo I found myself cheering for them. So long story, short, GO PENS!!!!

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com

by David Oleksy on May 22, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions