Plenty to prove

A year ago, Clarke MacArthur's life was filled with uncertainty.

MacArthur signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for one year at $1 million after the Atlanta Thrashers walked away from his $2.4-million arbitration award, thereby rendering him an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with the team of his choosing. MacArthur was not exactly sure of how he fit into Toronto's long-term plans.

It was a bit of a slap in the face for the then 25-year-old veteran left winger to be set free by Atlanta, putting him in a position of having to once again prove himself. Suffice it to say, MacArthur made the most of his situation scoring a career-high 21 goals and 62 points -- good for second overall on the team behind Phil Kessel who finished two points ahead of him -- while playing on Toronto's second unit with Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski.

In fact his production was so good that the Maple Leafs re-signed him for two years at $3.25 million per season. At last, MacArthur can relax … or not!

MacArthur is obviously pleased to know where his future lies for at least the next two years, but he has no plans to rest on his laurels.

"I won't lie, it does give me some peace of mind, but at the same time I feel there's no reason to be afraid of anything," MacArthur said. "You have a little stability so you aren't afraid to play hard and try things. I want to play harder than I did last year."

The Lloydminster, Alta., native was an instant success in Toronto, scoring goals in his first four games (five goals in all) with the Maple Leafs. Although he had two prolonged goal-scoring droughts of 14 and 10 games, MacArthur's contributions were not just felt in his production. He played a high-tempo, physical game as well, something that earned high praise from his teammates.

"I think his over-tenacity all over the ice was a big reason for his success," said teammate Colby Armstrong. "He was driven last year. You could see it in his eyes. You could see it by how he prepared for every game. He came in from being a guy we signed on a one-year deal and he was a leader in the dressing room and a presence on the ice. He's a heck of a guy off the ice and on the ice he's a guy who never quits on any play. He plays with fire … with an edge and you love teammates like that.

"He's a good western boy who plays for the front of the jersey and the guy sitting next to him. I know that's an old saying, but it's really true of Clarke. To have that guy coming in here last year as a bit of an unknown in terms of what he could do for us and then to see the way he produced really turned a lot of heads on our team."

Added linemate Kulemin: "He's a good player. He's fast and he sees the ice and makes passes at the right time. What makes him such a good player is that he can also dangle with the puck by himself so defencemen can't always play him for the pass."

MacArthur was Buffalo's third pick (74th overall) in 2003 and spent the better part of his first five years of pro playing in the Sabres organization. After being dealt to the Thrashers late in the 2009-10 season, he scored three goals and nine points in 21 games before winning his arbitration case with the team. That's when the financially-challenged Thrashers set him free.

MacArthur didn't exactly know what to expect in Toronto, but was pleased to find himself playing on the team rather productive No. 2 line.

"The biggest difference was the coaching (staff) having confidence in me and getting extra ice time," MacArthur said. "I was playing 12 minutes a game in Buffalo for three years with occasional stints on the top two lines, but then back on the third line. Last year I played top two lines all year and I knew I could make the plays and get it done. I was just fortunate that they gave me the chance early in the year."

Getting off to the good start was a bonus and MacArthur said his confidence rose with each outing. He knew he was in for a good season and he's anxious to have his good fortune continue this year.

"About 20 games in we were doing well as a line and we built a lot of chemistry," MacArthur said. "Even today in our first day back we made some little plays that get me really excited about this year. It's great to get going."

Former Buffalo teammate Tim Connolly, who joined the Maple Leafs in the off-season as an unrestricted free agent and is expected to centre the team's No. 1 line between Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, was thrilled to see MacArthur enjoy a breakout season last year.

"I saw him all the time on TV on the highlights," Connolly said with a little chuckle. "He had a great season. You could see he was playing with a lot of confidence. He's a tremendously-talented player and he was able to find some chemistry with the guys he was playing with. He's really got the complete package when it comes to skating, a great shot and beating guys with his hands."

Hockey history is riddled with players who have great seasons when they are in a contract year, as MacArthur was last season, but then fall off after getting their new deal. MacArthur does not plan to slip into that category.

"I haven't heard anybody say it yet, but you know that is what is lingering," MacArthur said. "You can say that about every guy who signs a new contract; it's not only me. I actually like that challenge. I want to start well and play hard for the Leafs again. I think I can produce more. If we work hard together and try to do the little things better every game and every practice, that's my main goal -- to try to improve every year.

"My main goal is doing it again. Obviously making the playoffs comes first, but I need to have a good year to help this team make the playoffs. I want to come in and do the same things I (did) last year, but also improve on the little things."

Notes from Leafs camp:

-- The team's No. 1 line of Tim Connolly, Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul was flying Saturday morning as the Leafs scrimmaged at MasterCard Centre in Etobicoke. Connolly, as is his reputation, showed great vision while Lupul was a physical force. Kessel, the trigger man on the line, was wheeling and dealing and scored a beautiful breakaway goal (thanks to a nifty pass from defenceman Dion Phaneuf) on Ben Scrivens of the Marlies…

-- Rookie goalie Mark Owuya of Sweden was very shaky in his first scrimmage game, but settled down considerably in his second …

-- Nazem Kadri, the Maple Leafs No. 1 pick (seventh overall) in 2009, looked very comfortable playing left wing on the team's No. 3 line with Tyler Bozak and Colby Armstrong.

"I definitely think us three could be a lethal combination," Kadri said of the line. "It's the comfort zone; it's so huge. Once you get comfortable and confident, especially with the players you are playing with, it makes things so much easier."

Head coach Ron Wilson was impressed with Kadri on the first day of scrimmage: "Nazzy looked half-a-step to a step quicker. Just what I saw today was better than anything that he brought to the table, even at the end (of last season) when he was playing quite a bit."

-- The Leafs will scrimmage again Sunday and then play home games Monday (vs. Ottawa), Tuesday (vs. Philadelphia) and play in Philadelphia Wednesday…

-- The Maple Leafs expect to make their first cuts Monday morning when the team's roster of 70 players will be sliced down to a more manageable number.

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.