Checkers V: Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy Edition

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Most of the forwards last year had a jump, some of them a big jump, in their production from the prior season. Also, the new guys, Necas and Geekie, were very productive.

The checkers are going to need big jumps from Gauthier, Geekie, Kuokkanen and Bean (if he’s not in the nhl) and strong contributions from new guys like Mattheos, Luostarinen, and Prichard. Even then, it’s hard to think to they will be anywhere close to last years team.

 

[Anton Babchuk]

coming into last season the checkers lost four of their top five scorers (wallmark, zykov, miller, foegele), plus samuelsson, kichton, tolchinsky, and chelios and turned out fine. huge ahl turnover is normal. the roster looks fine.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

coming into last season the checkers lost four of their top five scorers (wallmark, zykov, miller, foegele), plus samuelsson, kichton, tolchinsky, and chelios and turned out fine. huge ahl turnover is normal. the roster looks fine.

True. But “looks fine” and “among the best” are two different things. I agree that they should be fine, but not sure that they will be among the best. Of course every team is going through this right now so nobody really knows.

 

[Anton Babchuk]

IIRC, Shinkaruk was pretty highly touted back when he was drafted. Looks like he's not even a good AHLr right now.

shinkaruk was a pretty solid ahler prior to last season. not sure what happened last year. i think he can be pretty reasonably counted on for more than 5 goals/10 points.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

shinkaruk was a pretty solid ahler prior to last season. not sure what happened last year. i think he can be pretty reasonably counted on for more than 5 goals/10 points.

Makes sense. And like last year where they picked up Jurco and Tokarski, there will be other moves.

 

[ProspectsFanatic]

shinkaruk was a pretty solid ahler prior to last season. not sure what happened last year. i think he can be pretty reasonably counted on for more than 5 goals/10 points.

We don't know what happened either, but he was truly that bad, hopefully he can bounce back.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

coming into last season the checkers lost four of their top five scorers (wallmark, zykov, miller, foegele), plus samuelsson, kichton, tolchinsky, and chelios and turned out fine. huge ahl turnover is normal. the roster looks fine.

To be clear I agree with you. I think it’s fine. I just don’t know how you look at the forward group and confidently say “one of the best in the AHL” either. Looks like a pretty standard group.

 

[emptyNedder]

Since there is criticism of my minor hyperbole "among the best," I will defend the reasoning.
Kuokkanen was an all-star. Geekie was one of the top playoff producers. Luostarinen made the WC. Gauthier is looking like he is reaching his 1st-round potential. Mattheos is coming off two 40 goal seasons in juniors. Pritchard tied for 5th in the NCAA in points.
I agree that last season the Checkers' had the best top 9. It doesn't seem to be a big stretch to think those players, plus (I realize he may not end up in Charlotte) a player who has scored 20 goals in the NHL the past two seasons, will be third or fourth best in the league.
Y'all have really gotten spoiled!

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Checkers signed Hunter Shinkaruk.

 

[NotOpie]

A lot of what happens in Charlotte this upcoming season will depend on guys like Luostarinen and Geekie continuing their progression. It will also depend on Janne Kuokkanen's continued development. I believe all of these things are more likely than not.

My bigger fear is on the back end where we seen to only have 1 RHD.

 

[FreshSeabass]

A player for the checkers. I don't know if this warranted it's own thread feel free to do that if needed.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Cavan?

 

[HisIceness]

Calvin Fitzgerald is okay but he's no Zack Fitzgerald



Edit: I guess he's no Cavan Fitzgerald either.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Calvin Fitzgerald is okay but he's no Zack Fitzgerald



Edit: I guess he's no Cavan Fitzgerald either.

That NC accent just bit someone in the ass.

 

[Chrispy]

Cavan?

Those WHL kids grow up so fast.

 

[UncMike]

Goal in the green jersey is slick..........

 

[spockBokk]

Good stuff in the middle of the doldrums of summer:

 

[FreshSeabass]

Hes back

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Anyone know what he’s been doing since we cut him loose?

 

[the halleJOKEL]

preparing his mind and body for the rigors of joining an ahl coaching staff

 

[tarheelhockey]

Anyone know what he’s been doing since we cut him loose?

Skating pointlessly

 

[RodTheBawd]

Played in Belfast. Always been a fan of the guy, glad to see him land somewhere here.

 

[NotOpie]

After watching that video, I was always a fan of Morgan Geekie, but sweet Jesus that dude's got a pair of hands.

 

[HisIceness]

@NotOpie Would you say you are Geeked for Geekie?

 

[NotOpie]

@NotOpie Would you say you are Geeked for Geekie?