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) The NHLPA said no to the realignment the league and its owners already agreed to weeks ago. But, I want to know why NHLPA even has a say in scheduling? The players play, the coaches coach and the owners run the teams with their money. If owners come together and decide a new structure for divisions, why should labor have a say? Far too much power has been arrogated by unions. The big mistake of the last CBA was to give players a veto on certain issues. If players really need a union, which is debatable, their scope of power should begin and end as it pertains to money. And, if this is some attempt by the union to fire the first shot across the bow for the next CBA, go ahead and try it. They lost before, they’ll lose again, but this time the game will suffer irrevocable damage and it will be their fault.
2) I read interviews with players saying they agreed with the union’s decision to squash the already-agreed-to realignment. Yet, I seem to remember some players speaking highly of it just weeks ago. As we can see, freedom of individual thought trampled on by union bosses, this time for the aggrandizement of Donald Fehr’s need for a constant revolution against owners. The players had a chance to be involved in the conversation when the discussions began, yet they decided to stay away - obviously a premeditated decision. This will not be the last blunder the union makes. I hope the owners are prepared to strengthen their collective resolve yet again. Those that control the money will always have the power. Owners have to take all the risk while players’ salaries are guaranteed.
3) Why did Alain Vigneault decide to play Cory Schneider in Boston the other night instead of franchise goalie Roberto Luongo? In a return match-up with the defending cup champions, the same team that defeated you at home in game seven, wouldn’t you want Luongo to get some payback? I guess the reigning title of most overrated goalie in the world still resides with Roberto and apparently his coach knows it, too. The Canucks lost their following game with Luongo in net to Florida.
4) Quarterback Tim Tebow has the country enthralled and I think this guy is something special. We need more Tim Tebows in the world.
5) Head coach Jeff Daniels predicted during his morning interview before the Milwaukee game on Saturday that it would be a matter of time before Jerome Samson would be recalled by the Hurricanes. Well, he was called up this morning. The question I have is, how much will he play when he goes up and how many shots can he manage per shift?
6) Former Checkers Andrew Carroll, Julien Brouillette, Matthew Ford, Jacob Micflikier and coach Troy Mann all head to Charlotte to battle their former team on Wednesday and Thursday. You know that all of them will be energized to beat their former team in the building they used to call home. Hershey is streaking right now and this will be a great test for the Checkers. Hershey would be even harder to beat if they could get consistent goaltending. By the way, what do Carroll, Brouillette, Ford and Mann have in common? They were all signed by coach and general manager Derek Wilkinson and are now thriving in the AHL.
7) Anyone notice the talk about a Crosby return is almost non-existent? Meanwhile the Pens are hovering at the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference.
8) Hershey has three of the top six scorers in the league (Keith Aucoin, Chris Bourque, Micflikier). Michael Murphy must be ready against the AHL's No. 1 offensive team and a power play operating at over 30 percent.
9) Looking forward to traveling to Abbotsford, B.C. next weekend. I heard the town is breathtaking in the winter. What’s even better are the long flights home on Monday followed by a six-hour bus ride to Norfolk the very next day #theresgottabeabetterway.
10) Yesterday was the 233rd anniversary of Thomas Paine’s
Common Sense. Paine is one of the world’s greatest authors. Just to give you an idea of how important Paine was, without
Common Sense, the American Revolution may very well have failed. “The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind.” Amen.
11) Zac Dalpe has a lot of tools in his bag of tricks but he added another one on Saturday’s game against Milwaukee with the no-look, fade-away twisted wrister from 58 feet. It’s working at 100 percent efficiency this season.
12) The Checkers are back on television this Sunday against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Should be a fun night with a great crowd. It will be the first time the Griffins come to Charlotte. Hopefully, Chris Terry doesn’t try to trample any goalies this time.
13) So, did you hear the one about Kings forward Dustin Penner and a stack of pancakes?
14) D-man Michal Jordan is just 4 points from tying last year’s rookie season mark of 18 pts (4g, 14a). The good Czecho boy, a.k.a. His Airness, has been incredible all season along with Brett Bellemore. And if you’re not following him on twitter, then you should
@TheBigCzech23.
15) According to one source, Toronto at Detroit will be next year’s Winter Classic. I’m
@Jason_Shaya and I approve this message.
