The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree. As the Carolina Hurricanes stagnate in the NHL Eastern Conference standings, their American Hockey League farm team, the Charlotte Checkers, are very much in the same position. Currently 13th in the Western Conference (why they’re in this conference is beyond me), the Checkers will have to catch fire to make the post season.
The Checkers have had choppy seas to navigate this season. Some depth issues in Carolina has forced to Checkers to assemble their squad with very little consistency. Much of Charlotte’s difference makers are now with the Hurricanes, like Matt Tennyson and Derek Ryan.