Checkers broadcaster Jason Shaya checks in each week with his 10 Thoughts - a series of observations about the team and the hockey world in general.
1) It’s never a good thing when the team’s best scorers are sitting in section 108 during home games.
2) Derek Wilkinson envisions a scenario where the Checkers need to garner 11 total points in the final 16 games to clinch a playoff spot. Despite the injuries and call-ups, they will accomplish that.
Recent Checkers News
Justin Peters should have solidified the role as backup for the Canes next season. Dan Ellis will command more money than the Canes can give him and Peters is already signed to a one-way deal. That being said, Carolina’s depth in goal is almost nonexistent past the NHL. This will be a concern to Charlotte.
4) Zac Dalpe’s injury isn’t as bad as initially thought and he could be back before the season ends.
5) Four players started the weekend against Houston and couldn’t finish due to injury. Compounded by the call-ups, Charlotte has an incredibly depleted lineup. They’ll have to scavenge the ECHL to find more players to help while injuries heal to those on the sidelines.
6) Former Charlotte goalie in the ECHL, Jeff Jakaitis, was in town to back up for Houston this past Sunday. Perhaps one of the best guys anyone could meet in this business. His first year in the ECHL, he carried Columbia on his back and did the same for Charlotte the subsequent season.
7) How about good the good Brampton boy, Chris Terry, making a spectacular debut in the NHL by scoring a goal on his first shot. I think very highly of my former broadcast colleague and everyone in Charlotte is quite happy about his accomplishment. The Charlotte crowd gave Chris a thunderous ovation when it was announced that he scored what turned out to be the game winner on Saturday for Carolina. I’ve already said this on-air but it bears repeating now: when it’s all said and done, he will be remembered as one of the great Charlotte Checkers in history.
8) After Marc Staal got hit in the face with the puck, the elites in the hockey media are demanding visors be mandatory. On Hockey Night in Canada, the Hot Stove crew pretty much stated that it must be done for the best interest of the players. My thought: let grown men decide for themselves if they want to wear a visor.
9) If the Flames don’t trade Jarome Iginla, it will be a bad move for the future of their hockey club. If they do trade him, the fans of Calgary will certainly understand that he is leaving because it’s good for the long term health of the Flames and would finally give him a chance to win a Cup.
10) Kaspars Daugavins' shootout move isn’t “easy” to stop as many people are saying this morning. Tuuka Rask had to make a great save or that was going in.
