Shaya's 10 Thoughts: April 8, 2015

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. This week: the philosophy of callups, the NHL playoff race and the final week at Time Warner Cable Arena.

1) What a birthday for Chris Terry last night in Detroit. He scored a goal, had an assist and was named third star of the night behind Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. Not a bad night in front of plenty of friends and family at the Joe Louis Arena. Before the game, I wished him well and told him I hoped he would score a big goal.

2) Interesting move by the Carolina Hurricanes to not call up either Trevor Carrick or Brock McGinn this year. It appears the Canes want to make sure they don't give prospects too much too soon and keep them focused on getting better every night in Charlotte. This is obviously a new policy that, in years past, was never implemented. Good teams don't want players developing in the NHL.

3) In a radio interview before the Checkers’ previous game, Cory Stillman told me he knew during his first AHL season, after being drafted by Calgary sixth overall in 1992, that he would spend the entirety of the year in the minors. He said it allowed him to focus only on hockey and not worry about whether he would get called up to the Flames. He said it's important that once a prospect goes up, he is ready and never comes back down. I think you will see that with McGinn and Carrick in the future, perhaps sometime next season.

4) I wonder if the ongoing problems within the Pittsburgh Penguins’ locker room will ever see the light of day in the press. One thing is certain: that team will look different when it steps onto the ice for the 2015-16 season. I hope they turn it around for the sake of Jim Rutherford, who is a great man.

5) A group led by Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Derek Wilkinson took to the ice at Bojangles’ Coliseum this week to have a scrimmage. I have to admit that once I stepped into the arena with the hockey setup, I immediately understood what everyone has been saying about the atmosphere. That building will be loud, and once everything is done being remodeled, it will be the true home ice advantage every team wants. Next season can't come soon enough.

6) On our last ever television broadcast from Time Warner Cable Arena on Sunday afternoon, Checkers owner Michael Kahn will be doing a live interview during the first intermission to discuss the last 10 years at the arena and our future at Bojangles’ Coliseum. This is one you shouldn't miss because it will answer a lot of questions.

7) The New York Rangers have won the Presidents’ Trophy, they're going to win the Eastern Conference championship, they're going to win the Stanley Cup and Lundqvist just might break every save percentage record in playoff history.

8) Here's what I think is amazing about the Los Angeles Kings: they would've been considered one of the two or three favorites to win the West if they made the playoffs. It's unfortunate however, because it appears losing to Edmonton last night might have been the death knell.

9) Two years ago, one of my political heroes died. The leader of the government of the United Kingdom for over 11 years, Margaret Thatcher was a one woman revolution. "If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time and you would achieve nothing." -- The Iron Lady.

10) Finally, you should be a part of the biggest crowd in Checkers history this weekend as we set to leave Time Warner Cable Arena for the last time. We had a lot of great memories in that building and it will always have its place in team history. But, it's time for the Checkers to move back home into our own building again. Two more home games left and there's always something to play for, so be there with us.