Blue Jackets’ Clarkson fails physical, won’t start camp

Jackets David Clarkson scores his second goal of the season between the legs against the Detroit Red Wings.

Health issues will force forward David Clarkson to miss the start of training camp with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Clarkson failed a physical ahead of training camp, president of hockey operations John Davidson announced Wednesday during Blue Jackets media day. The 32-year-old winger will not be with the club when they hit the ice in preparation for the upcoming season.

Clarkson was limited to 23 games in 2015-16 and totalled two goals and four points. The Toronto, Ontario, native has four points in 26 games since arriving in Columbus via trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs in February of 2015.

Clarkson’s contract is insured. He has four years and $21 million remaining on the massive seven-year, $36.75-million pact he inked with Toronto in the summer of 2013. The one-time 30-goal scorer is expected to try and work his way back to the Blue Jackets lineup.

The New Jersey Devils originally signed Clarkson as an undrafted free agent in 2005.

Clarkson has scored 114 goals and registered 200 points in 570 career NHL games.

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