January 24, 2012 9:32 AM
The Checkers will get a boost for tonight’s game in Norfolk, as center Zac Dalpe is making the short trip north from Raleigh.
 Though Tuesday’s reassignment marks the fifth time the Carolina Hurricanes have sent Dalpe to the AHL, this instance could be quite different. With the Hurricanes having begun their All-Star break as of Monday’s 2-1 win over Winnipeg, Dalpe has an opportunity to play the Checkers’ next three games prior to the resumption of the NHL schedule one week from today.
There may not be any guarantees for Dalpe’s return to Carolina at that time, but last week’s trade of Alexei Ponikarovsky leaves at least one hole at forward that would need to be filled by next week. Depending on the status of Chad LaRose, who was cut by a skate and is reportedly expected to miss 7-10 days, and Jerome Samson, who has been out since Jan. 14, the Canes may even need two players from Charlotte when they host the New York Islanders next Tuesday.
Dalpe picked up an assist during his just-completed three-game stint in Carolina, a setup of Jeff Skinner’s goal in the team’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Islanders on Saturday. He now has 3 points (1g, 2a) in 16 NHL games this season.
The return of Dalpe, who has an active six-game point streak at the AHL level (5g, 3a) and was playing perhaps his best hockey of the season at the time of his most-recent recall on Jan. 18, will instantly restore the Checkers’ depth at center. The team had been using Riley Nash, Brett Sutter, Sean Dolan and A.J. Jenks at that position since Dalpe’s recall, making it likely that Dolan or Jenks will come out of the lineup or one of the centers, likely Sutter or Jenks, will move to wing.
Dalpe’s return, combined with Monday’s reassignment of Matt Beca to Florida, gives the Checkers 13 forwards. Jared Staal has sat out the team’s previous two games as a healthy scratch. |
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