First of all, Chasing Checkers has been nominated for the 2012 Web Awards as the only hockey blog represented in Charlotte. You can vote by going to the link in the right sidebar. Voting ends in just a couple of weeks.
Not a lot of news on the AHL front since last week when the AHL announced division realignments and rule changes.
The free agent world has also been pretty quiet (and I refresh my TSN Free Agent Tracker about four times a day, so I know!) My summer has been filled with all kinds of fun things, and in case you are counting down with me, I have one month, two days and 22 hours until my Canadian vacation begins. It’s kind of hard to concentrate on actual work with such an epic adventure on the horizon! Western Alberta will never be the same after I visit!
No word on the acceptance (or pending arbitration) on any of the Hurricanes RFA’s, but I am hopeful the CheckerCanes will sign their new contracts and return to the organization.
If you haven’t been following this list, it’s a must-read for AHL hockey fans. Jonathan Bombulie, who covers the WBS Penguins, has a list of the top 250+ AHL UFA’s. A number of BIG names still haven’t been signed.
I’m still waiting to see if the Hurricanes sign one more goaltender, as their North American players is limited to three healthy goaltenders, only two of which have NHL experience, and one injured goalie.
Updated potential Checkers roster for 2012-13
| Defensemen Under Contract | ||||
| Pos | Contract | Type | Notes | |
| Brett Bellemore | D | 2012-13 | RFA | Two-way NHL |
| Michal Jordan | D | 2012-13 | RFA | Entry level |
| Tommi Kivisto | D | 2013-14 | RFA | Entry level. Played one yr. in WHL, currently playing in Finland. |
| Justin Krueger | D | 2012-13 | RFA | Two-way NHL |
| Austin Levi | D | 2014-15 | RFA | Entry level. Completed four seasons with Plymouth Whalers. |
| Rasmus Rissanen | D | 2013-14 | RFA | Entry level |
| Joe Sova | D | 2012-13 | RFA | Entry level |
| Bobby Sanguinetti | D | 2012-13 | RFA | |
| Beau Schmitz | D | 2014-15 | RFA | Entry level. Previous experience with USNDT and Plymouth Whalers. |
| Forwards Under Contract | ||||
| Pos | Contract | Type | Notes | |
| Nic Blanchard | F | 2013-14 | UFA | Two-way NHL |
| Zac Dalpe | F | 2012-13 | RFA | Entry level |
| AJ Jenks | F | 2012-13 | RFA | Entry level |
| Riley Nash | F | 2012-13 | RFA | Entry level |
| Justin Shugg | F | 2013-14 | RFA | Entry level |
| Jared Staal | F | 2012-13 | RFA | Entry level |
| Brett Sutter | F | 2013-14 | UFA | Two-way NHL |
| Brody Sutter | F | 2014-15 | RFA | Entry level |
| Goaltenders Under Contract | ||||
| John Muse | G | 2012-13 | RFA | Two-way NHL |
| Justin Peters | G | 2013-14 | UFA | Two-way NHL first year, one-way NHL second year |
| Not Under Contract | ||||
| Pos | Contract | Type | Notes | |
| Drayson Bowman | F | 2011-12 | RFA | Received a qualifying offer |
| Zach Boychuk | F | 2011-12 | RFA | Received a qualifying offer |
| Chris Durno | F | 2011-12 | UFA | |
| Jerome Samson | F | 2011-12 | RFA | Received a qualifying offer |
| Justin Soryal | F | 2011-12 | UFA | |
| Chris Terry | F | 2011-12 | RFA | Received a qualifying offer |
| Mathieu Roy | D | 2011-12 | UFA | |
| Will Not Return to Charlotte | ||||
| Pos | Contract | Type | Notes | |
| Evgenii Dadonov | F | 2011-12 | RFA | He will play in KHL next season, was qualified by Hurricanes |
| Brian Dumoulin | D | 2014-15 | RFA | Traded to Pittsburgh for a third Staal |
| Kyle Lawson | D | 2011-12 | UFA | Contract not renewed by Hurricanes |
| Mike Murphy | G | 2011-12 | RFA | Hurricanes will qualify him, but Murphy has signed with KHL for next season |
| Cedric McNicoll | F | 2011-12 | UFA | Contract not renewed by Hurricanes |
| Matthew Pistilli | F | 2011-12 | UFA | Contract not renewed by Hurricanes |
No Thoughts on the Canes resigning Chris Terry?
I am, of course, overjoyed that Chris “Terryiffic” Terry will be returning to the organization next year. I’ve just been a slacker in reporting it because I’m on vacation and haven’t been glued to the internet!
I’ve been keeping my spreadsheet updated, however haven’t gotten around to posting the results.
I’m looking forward to more of the CheckerCanes signing their new contracts. Since none are going to arbitration, I assume it’s just a matter of time before the likes of the Bowman, Samson and Boychuk sign.
I need to read up on the new goalie Charlotte signed. I do like NCAA trained hockey players, so hopefully he’s a good pick up!