I take it at this stage it is far too late for a blocked Nares Strait this year. After March had passed, I thought the possibility would be slim (despite the entertainment provided by the "very big chunks")
So this is an updated list of the arch start date. (Arches that is within the Strait and not temporary hold ups in the Lincoln Sea):
2019 - No arch
2018 - March 1st
2017 - No arch (in the strait proper)
2016 - December 6th (2015)
2015 - February 13th
2014 - January 5th (northern arch started - southern just after)
2013 - November 8th (2012)
2012 - December 6th (2011)
2011 - January 29th
2010 - No arch
2009 - Visible sat image shows arch at extreme north end of channel on March 10. Start date was sometime before this.
2008 - April 1st
2007 - No arch
From what I can see, 2010 was also a no arch year. From visible satellite imagery, it looks free flowing from March 1st, but can't be certain that there may have been arches earlier in that year - but that's all a bit academic anyway because any worthwhile arch should be capable of holding through the spring and this did not happen in 2010.
This
NASA report from early in 2010, "found that 2007 was a unique year – the only one on record when arches failed to form, allowing ice to flow unobstructed through winter and spring. Despite Nares' narrow width, the team reports that in 2007, ice loss through Nares equaled more than 10 percent of the amount emptied on average each year through the wider Fram Strait."
So 2007 has now been joined by 2010, 2017 and 2019.