As posted earlier, Rich Clune participated in practice today for the first time since he suffered a pulled groin late in the preseason. Clune didn’t seem restricted in any drills, and stayed on the ice for post-practice work with healthy scratch Trevor Lewis and coaches Mark Hardy and Jamie Kompon. Here’s what Murray said about Clune’s status…
MURRAY: “His progress is a lot faster than I thought it would be. It’s been two weeks. He’s been skating and he looks like he’s pretty comfortable out there. I know in the off-ice workouts, the last couple days, he’s been doing a lot of quick-reaction drills, really putting it to the test, and he seems like he’s feeling good. It looks like it’s completely healed, so it’s a matter of getting his feet going and we’ll see where that goes. I’m a little surprised that it healed that fast. Some players do heal quicker than others, and he’s one of those I guess.”
Asked if Clune would go on the upcoming six-game road trip, Murray said, “I don’t know that right now. I’ll have to sit down with management and talk this one over. This one kind of surprised me, that he’s as quick as he is in his recovery.”
A fourth line of Ivanans – Harrold/ Richardson – Clune makes a lot sense. Ivanans is the team’s big goon obviously, Harrold is the 7th dman/ utility guy, Richardson is the quick, offensive upside guy, and Clune is the middle weight energy guy.
Lewis can go back to Manchester, which has a couple of smallish centers, and play the 3rd line checking role he might someday live up to.
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I’m not surprised at all! He was so close he could taste it last year, and here he is again. I pictured this guy doing anything and everything, 24/7 to get himself healthy so he can play! He is HUNGRY….he wants it and he deserves it!
GO CLUNE!!!
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Which of the 2 helped him heal faster, the clear or the cream?
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If Clune’s healthy then send him on the road trip and get him into the lineup. We need his grit.
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I like CLUNE a lot — he will be more than ZEILER was — which was run around and hit anything in sight.
I think he might have more ofense as well.
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this kid had bad luck in last 2 years during the pre-season. he’ll bring good energy to the team.
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