Why a big-salaried goalkeeper was sent to Charlotte

The American Hockey League is more than a final stop before the major league for players who are on the way up.

It also can be a place where major-leaguers can try to rediscover lost magic.

Enter Scott Darling, 29, acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2017 from the Chicago Blackhawks for a third-round draft choice and signed to a $16.6-million, four-year deal by the Hurricanes.

Darling is now a member of the Charlotte Checkers, having been sent down by Carolina last week. Since joining the Hurricanes in 2017, he has a record of 15-25-8, with a 3.17-goals-allowed average.

The Hurricanes’ Petr Mrazek and Curtis McIlhenney have been playing better, so Hurricanes’ management turned to the AHL as the next hope for Darling to find himself, according to the Raleigh News & Observer's Luke DeCock.

That threw a wrinkle into the Checkers’ development of two promising young goalkeepers – Alex Nedeljkovic and Callum Booth. Nedeljkovic led the AHL in victories last season, Booth dominated the ECHL (one rung lower in hockey’s minor leagues), and both were playing well this season for Charlotte.

But Booth is back in the ECHL and Nedeljkovic is now sharing starts with Darling.

This, of course, puts another obstacle in the path for Nedeljkovic in his hopes of reaching the NHL. Earlier this season, he said he doesn’t worry about that.

“I concentrate on playing the best I can, and on improving myself,” he said. “Then whatever happens up there (at the NHL level) will take care of itself.”

Since the roster change, Darling played Friday night, Nedeljkovic was in goal Saturday, and Darling was back in goal Sunday for the Checkers’ dramatic victory in Providence.

Here’s a look at the past week and what’s ahead for the Checkers:

Friday: Darling played well, making 23 saves, but Charlotte lost 2-1 at Providence. The host Bruins won it with a power-play goal in the final five minutes. Andrew Poturalski scored for the Checkers.

Saturday: Charlotte built a 3-2 first-period lead at Hartford, but the host Wolf Pack rallied for a 5-3 victory. The Checkers’ Patrick Brown scored his sixth goal – equaling his total of all last season.

Sunday: With Charlotte trailing 2-1, Martin Necas scored the tying goal with 5:32 remaining, and then Poturalski won it with a goal just 16 seconds before the end of overtime.

Personnel changes: In addition to the goalkeeping changes, the Hurricanes sent forward Valentin Zykov and defenseman Jake Bean down to Charlotte. Zykov led the Checkers in goals last season, and rookie Bean scored a point in four straight games for Charlotte before being promoted to the Hurricanes last month.

Week ahead: The Checkers, who continue to lead the AHL’s Atlantic Division, are back on the road, visiting fifth-place Hartford at 7:15 p.m. Friday and third-place Springfield at 7 p.m. Saturday. Charlotte returns to Bojangles Coliseum on Dec. 13 to open a six-game home stand.