Ryane Clowe is a power forward that has surpassed the 50-point mark three times, but he has endured a series of serious setbacks. Over the span of just one year, Clowe suffered three concussions and still hasn’t been cleared for contact from the latest one suffered in March.
“I feel pretty good,” Clowe told the Bergen Record. “I’m not going to say if I’m ready to go or not because I’ve got to get cleared to play and I’ve got to see the doctor again before the season starts. But I feel good. I, obviously, haven’t done any contact. I’ve been skating the last few weeks, just scrimmaging since I got back with the guys. I’ve been on the ice and stuff.”
The 2013-14 season marked the second time in a row that his campaign was cut short due to a head injury. He pushed himself in the summer of 2013 to get ready for training camp after signing a five-year, $24.25 million contract with New Jersey, but after what happened, he didn’t rush himself this time around.
Devils coach Pete DeBoer likes Clowe’s chances of being ready for training camp and the 31-year-old forward (32 on Sept. 30) doesn’t see any reason why he can’t play a full season. Still, after the series of injuries he’s had, his ability to stay healthy is one of the big questions surrounding New Jersey.