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) Head coach Jeff Daniels was very pleased with the effort his team displayed on Sunday afternoon in an overtime victory against one of the league’s best teams. The game wasn’t a work of art but the effort, led by captain Brett Sutter, proved enough to get a huge victory.
2) After being a healthy scratch for Buffalo, Patrick Kaleta voiced his frustration with the media. This prompted a response from the mercurial Ryan Miller. The entire team is now imploding in front of the media. Hockey players are generally good at shutting their mouths. Kaleta should’ve known better. FYI, Kaleta has zero points in 18 games this year.
Recent Checkers News
March Madness is upon the world. Here is my unwavering thought on the yearly tournament: I don’t care and never will.
4) The general manager of the Detroit Red Wings said that last Saturday’s game in Vancouver was the best game he’d ever seen Pavel Datsyuk play (and Holland has seen all 760). With all the talk that Datsyuk might retire or finish his career in the KHL after next season, he will go down as the most skilled player in the history of the game and a Hall of Famer even if he doesn’t get to 1,000 games. On a side note: Don Cherry, during Coach’s Corner, refused to give Pavel any praise for his play.
5) Rasmus Rissanen really stepped up his physical play this weekend, especially during Friday’s game. The Stars weren’t happy and several of their players challenged Rissanen to fight.
6) The annual Cops vs. Firemen game takes place on April 7 after the Checkers game. Last year was my third year as coach of the Cops and we won in a shootout. It’s the most fun and nerve-racking day of the year for me. The game is genuinely heated and both sides play their hearts out in a game-seven type atmosphere. I’m also happy to announce Zac Dalpe will join the Cops coaching staff, even though his brother is a fireman. It’s for charity but you’d never know when the puck drops.
7) Speaking of Dalpe: he continues making every effort possible to return at the earliest possible date. The same can be said for A.J. Jenks.
8) I am always amazed when I meet former NHL players and how they are courteous to everyone they meet. However seldom, sometimes you meet a guy with a bloated ego that refuse to give anyone the time of day. It’s pathetic.
9) Nic Blanchard’s version of the English language is a lot of fun.
10) It will be interesting to see if goaltender Michael Murphy can come back this season and play for the Checkers. No one doubts the talent Murphy displays in goal. He helped lead the team to an Eastern Conference run in the 2010-11 season. He has another opportunity to be a hero again. That being said, he shouldn’t rush to comeback. John Muse is at the helm and played brilliant hockey on Sunday. He is a championship goaltender and has earned the opportunity to be the guy in net for Charlotte.
11) Charlotte vs. Houston on Thursday is the only game in the AHL schedule that day. You have no excuse not to listen. Unless you have other things to do. As it stands now, Houston would be the Checkers' first-round opponent.
12) There are reports that the Canes are working diligently to get reinforcements for the Checkers as soon as possible. I’m sure Paul Branecky will have more on this during the week, unless he continues to not come to work.
Ed. note: Computers and the internet work from anywhere, there is such thing as working remotely, and Shaya smells.
13) Speaking of Paul, we are working on doing a weekly live show that will be streaming on the Checkers' Tune-In Radio app during the day and then on-demand on the website. We would take live questions from Twitter and emails. If we clinch a playoff spot, I’m sure this will happen and then continue as long as there is a demand.
14) Hope the league throws the book at the gutless Jeremy Morin.
His actions in a late brawl against Chicago, which he pretty much started, were dangerous and have no place in the game.
