Turns out, Jeff Skinner isn't with the Charlotte Checkers. At least, for now.
Although the Canes forward was assigned to the Checkers on Sept. 15, the day before the NHL lockout began, Skinner did not report to the team today for physical testing to begin training camp and will not be take part in the on-ice workouts that begin Saturday.
Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said Friday that Skinner had been given the consent of the Hurricanes to remain home in Toronto and continue to train.
"The decision was made that Jeff could go to Charlotte at some point in time but not necessarily at this time," Rutherford said.
Two weeks ago, Rutherford said Skinner would be reporting to training camp and would play in AHL games for the Checkers.
"I should have said he could go, not that he would go," Rutherford said.
Skinner was one of 28 players assigned to the Checkers on Sept. 15, making him eligible to play in the AHL this season in the event of an NHL lockout.
Rutherford noted that Skinner's concussion last season, which caused him to miss 16 games, factored into the decision to allow him to stay in Toronto.
"It didn't make much sense for Jeff to play in preseason games and the Checkers unfortunately play a lot of games on the road to start the season," Rutherford said. "All of those things factored into the course we took."
The Checkers will have their first on-ice session of preseason training camp Saturday at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
If the lockout is short term
Mon, 10/01/2012 - 16:00 — HockeydogIf the lockout is short term this is a wise move. No need to expose him to some career AHL headhunter. If the NHL is shut down for the year, he can come in and play. I personally would not mind him in the SEL or other less physical European league for the same reasons.