"If Pascal Leclaire ever makes it back to a National Hockey League crease — the current situation isn't promising — he should consider talking to The Tragically Hip about possible designs for a new mask.

You know, just as a reminder of what he calls the "long road" to recovery following major hip surgery in Vail, Colorado, five months ago.

Leclaire, whose two-year stint as an Ottawa Senators goaltender was more memorable for his laundry list of injuries than for the quickness of his glove hand or feet, remains unemployable due to his wonky hip.

A free agent offer in July from an NHL team — he won't say which one — fell through when he couldn't pass the medical tests. Considering the small world that is the NHL, it didn't take long for the word to spread.

"It's frustrating, but it will be much more frustrating when (training camps) get started," Leclaire said Tuesday, following an informal scrimmage with some of his former Senators teammates and other NHL players who call Ottawa home."