Derek Joslin’s stay with the Checkers was always going to be brief, but perhaps not this brief.
On Thursday, the Carolina Hurricanes recalled the veteran 24-year-old defenseman just eight days into his two-week conditioning stint due to injuries sustained at the NHL level (specifically, the Canes’ Jaroslav Spacek was listed as questionable for that night’s game in Tampa Bay). Joslin would have been eligible to finish the team’s current four-game home stand that began against Hershey on Wednesday and ends Tuesday against Grand Rapids.
While with the Checkers, Joslin chipped in 3 assists in four games to go along with seven shots on goal and an even plus/minus rating. He played extensively in all situations, giving the impression that he’s now headed back where he belongs.
Joslin’s recall left Charlotte with just five healthy defensemen one night after they were only able to dress 11 forwards in a 3-2 shootout loss to Hershey. That prompted the recall of Chris Murray, who played 10 games with the Checkers earlier this season, from the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.
The Checkers sent Murray, 27, to Florida just last week as he had sat out nine consecutive games as a healthy scratch ever since Bobby Sanguinetti returned from a broken foot. Murray, who has a goal and an assist at the AHL level this season, has 12 points (3g, 9a) in 18 games for Florida. He spent all of last season with the Albany Devils, marking his first full campaign at the AHL level.
Though Charlotte’s morning skate on Thursday was optional, forward Jared Staal, who missed the previous night’s contest, took part. That makes it likely that the Checkers will be able to field a full lineup of 20 skaters after playing a man down on Wednesday.
Mike Murphy, who made 29 saves for Charlotte in its first of back-to-back meetings with Hershey, will make his fourth consecutive start in goal.
