Shaya's 10 Thoughts: Oct. 15, 2014

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 Checkers' opening weekend, former Checkers making it big and more.

1) Ben Holmstrom may have been the overtime hero on Sunday but let's be clear, goaltender Drew MacIntyre won the game for Charlotte. It was one of the most dominating performances for a Checkers goalie I've seen in a long time with a game that was heavily lopsided in favor of the opposition.

2) With the lack of centermen for Charlotte, it makes me wonder if not signing Brett Sutter was a big mistake.

3) The dry scrape after regulation sounded like a great idea, but in practice, it takes, what feels like, an eternity. But, if games won't have to be decided by shootouts as much, or ever, it's worth the time.

4) It's a small sample size, but the Checkers haven't generated enough shots or scoring opportunities. The team totaled 15 shots on Saturday and 16 on Sunday. That's not enough. The younger players have to get to the hard areas in order to help this team offensively.

5) I wrote this back on Nov. 5, 2013: "Victor Rask is playing at a point-per-game pace. After watching him in all 10 games this year, one thing is pretty easy to see: he’s the best Canes prospect to come through Charlotte since Justin Faulk. He will play in the NHL for a long time." I'm happy to see Rask get a chance in Carolina.

6) Our first home game is televised on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel 323. We are scheduled to talk with Checkers owner Michael Kahn, SVP of Hockey Operations Derek Wilkinson and more during the live broadcast.

7) I mentioned during Saturday's broadcast that I believe John Muse is the most underrated goaltender in the AHL. He kept Charlotte in the game on Saturday the entire night yet, couldn't get the run support to earn a victory. In his career in Chicago, he has a 1.41 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage with two shutouts. Strangely enough, he's just 2-4-2 in those games and even took the loss with one of his shutouts.

8) TSN's Darren Dreger said the Maple Leafs are willing to pay a high price in order to trade for Eric Staal. As long as the Hurricanes continue to have a rough season, these rumors will only grow louder.

9) Zach Boychuk asked me if I wanted to interview him before game one of the season. I told him we'd do an interview for Saturday and we can talk about the goal you will score tonight. He did indeed score on Friday. He also scored a big goal in the third period against the Sabres last night.

10) Grand Rapids will be a team, along with Texas, that will battle for the top spot in the Western Conference. It should be good test for Charlotte on Friday and Saturday. The Griffins boast on of the best goalies in the league who stands behind, perhaps, the best defensemen as well.