The Canes today reassigned forward Zach Boychuk to the Albany River Rats.
Canes coach Paul Maurice said today that injured forwards Chad LaRose and Sergei Samsonov could return for Monday's game against Tampa Bay. LaRose was working with the fourth line with Stephane Yelle and Pat Dwyer.
"They both got through practice today," Maurice said. "We'll see how they feel tomorrow morning and make a decision if we're comfortable putting them both back the same game."
If both LaRose and Samsonov play, Drayson Bowman could be the odd-man out. Bowman was called up Friday from Albany and made his NHL debut Saturday against Atlanta.
"He's playing until we tell him different," Maurice said of Bowman.
Boychuk, the Canes' first-round pick in 2008, played the last seven games for Carolina on two separate recalls from the Rats. Boychuk had one assist in nine games for the Canes this season.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
All i do know is
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 16:51 — esteban1949that while many of the Rats who come up are definatly fast, have a hunger and skills...like many of you here, it wouls seem that the things we just said here today could or might have merit. many of us know that it's more important at times what the front office or the bench IS NOT saying, that we fans ought to be paying attention 2. As far as "attendence" goes, the rats are also have to watch the pennies...as last nights game had a whole bunch of cub & boyscout troops in attendence and we all know that many of those seats to groups are @ a very reduced rate... so it is a very delicate balance for them...and i do thank the almighty i don't sit where they do, having to make the choices they have to do...the Rats game will be on in a few...wonder what the Monday Debate question will be ?
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !!
Go Canes !!
Rat Welcome
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 14:03 — ynotagainI agree ... it's too bad the Rats get welcomed by being stuck on a line with Brindy.
Seems like no matter where #17 is on the offensive side, he's ALWAYS the last one crossing the blue line getting back on D.
It's almost painfull to watch him try to move. Suddenly everybody else is gone and he's standing there looking around the ice by himself !
Another -2 last night returning to his league leading -22 for the season.
And Mo keeps giving him 10 plus minutes. INSANE !
Well, Maybe!
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 14:33 — SkylinerNo real argument on your points....BUT...
Could it be that the coaches have limited authority in who gets how much playing time? Could it be that management is calling the shots and trying to preserve the reputation (there may not be that many lifesavers available) of players who can no longer play at the NHL level?
Is Brind'Amour as disengaged as he seems? Where is his leadership and how can someone lead somewhere they can apparently no longer go? "Wait for me, I'm your leader" could be the call.
Where we sit at the RBC Center there is abundant talk about what was referred to as "Brind'Amour's whining" when he was a healthy scratrch for one game. Don't know if that is a fact, but it is what is being talked about. There was conjecture that management is unwilling to let coaches pull him regardless of how his plus/minus gets.
Loyalty to players is expected, but loyalty to fans is also important. Paying upwards of $200 per game (tickets, parking ang food) for where we sit fans are getting weary of paying to see former knights who now seem to wear lackluster armor.
One guy recently observed that we get closer and closer to winning the Taylor Hall derby everytime the captain is on the ice.
Sad commentary for everyone!
Brind'Amour Whining?
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 16:23 — CanarseWhat a bunch of crap. If you happen to ever spend time with the guy you would know that is the last thing he ever does. The people you sit with that say stuff like that are gossiping fools.
Taylor Hall is fools gold. Another fast softie. As much time he spent on his butt against the US Juniors how do you think that will translate to the NHL? He'll be OK, but a suspect #1 pick.
Taylor Hall
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 16:54 — abramsdougI respectfully disagree with your assessment of Taylor Hall. Virtually every professional scouting service has ranked him either #1 or #2 in this year's draft. He has size, speed, determination, and amazing skill in my opinion. Obviously, some well-regarded prospects never meet their hype; but I for one think taking Taylor Hall, if available, is a no-brainer.
With regard to Brind'Amour, I have never heard any player criticize Brind'Amour, including former players. All I have ever heard is that he is an amazing competitor in everything he does. That being said, he has been one of the worst centers in the NHL for two years in a row. Having a great attitude doesn't mean he is still the player he used to be.
I'll agree that Hall has
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 23:18 — CanarseI'll agree that Hall has speed and amazing skill, but what I saw in the World Juniors would put in to question his size, toughness, determination and commitment to team play. All the professional scouting services made those rankings before the World Juniors. The TSN commentators made mention that draft stock rises and falls with the performance in this tournament.
My less than professional assesment was that Hall was selfish and got bounced around a lot. 6' 180lbs isn't size. Maybe he'll gain 25lbs, but I doubt it. I'm not saying the guy won't be a good pro, but first pick in the draft? Must be a weak class.
As far as Brind'Amour goes, I'm not defending his play. I do take issue with anyone who says he whines.
Taylor Hall
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 00:18 — abramsdougHere's a link from the Central Scouting Report that on January 11, 2010 named Taylor Hall as its #1 pick, following very, very closely by Tyler Seguin.
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=capress-hkn_draft_rankings-112901324&prov=capress&type=lgns
Here is also a link to Hockeys Future, which has excellent articles on the upcoming draft.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/
Also, at www.canescountry.com there are number of posts and collections of articles on the draft prospects for 2010. It is actually a strong draft as far as the first ten draft picks and is deeper than some people think.
The consensus top three picks seem to be any combination of Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, and Cam Fowler. Taylor Hall was a year younger than most of the prospects; and was playing in his first WJC.
Taylor Hall video
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 11:21 — abramsdougFor those interested in the discussion of Taylor Hall, here is a link to various hockey videos of Taylor Hall:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=hockey+%22taylor+hall%22&num=100#
Nice use of Google
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 09:41 — CanarseYeah, I've seen hockeysfuture. Big deal. Have you watched the kid? What do YOU think? Anyone can quote websites. I really don't care that Hall was one of the younger players. Eberle was one of Canada's best forwards this year and last year. (prior to his draft)
Watching the game exposed some pretty big flaws in his game IMO. Add that to the fact that the Canes are full of smallish skill players and I think it makes Hall a bad fit for the Canes. I did love Cam Fowler. The Canes need a true #1 defenseman and have for years. Fowler looked strong at the World Juniors.
What did you see? Other than internet reports, why do you think Hall is so great and would be a good pick for the Canes?
Taylor Hall
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 10:32 — abramsdougI watched as many Taylor Hall videos as as I could locate well before the WJCs because his name kept being cited as the #1 pick and I wanted to see whether I thought Hall lived up to his reputation. I also watched the WJCs, and then re-watched replays trying to focus on Hall's play with and without the puck.
I think Taylor Hall is one of those rare, gifted hockey players who have the unique combination of speed, size, acceleration, great hands, great anticipation and a warrior's will to excel. Those players only come along rarely.
Hall is willing to take a beating to score and sees the ice extremely well. He also has the soft, but quick hands, that allow him to improvise and to shoot accurately at wide open throttle. He also had a tremendous will to win and doesn't let up. If he scores one goal, he wants to score two. If he scores two goals, he wants a hat-trick.
In my view, the Hurricanes need a natural scorer with size and speed. Teams now can double team Staal because neither Whitney, nor Ruutu, nor Cole can take a puck, weave through traffic, crash the net with the puck and score. I am not knocking Whitney, Ruutu, or Cole. Whitney and Ruutu in particular have been outstanding; but they are not coast to coast scorers. Hall will make whoever else is on his line much better. I think Hall is strong for his age and has the frame to become much stronger. I was impressed with the fact that Taylor Hall was selected as one of the top three Canadian players at the WJC. He was one of the few players not already drafted because he does not become draft eligible until this upcoming draft.
I can see your points, but I
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 13:49 — CanarseI can see your points, but I disagree on a few.
The one where you're really off is size. He's listed at 6'0" 180lbs. That's not even close to big. Add in the fact that they generally fudge those number up and he's closer to small than large. Probably more like Matt Cullen's size.
It's true that Hall tore up the crummy teams in the WJC. I thought he was less than stellar against the US. I know he had 3 points in one game, but he was still getting pushed around a whole lot.
Highlight videos are nice, but they only show the best. You can't judge a kid on those things.
I hope the Canes don't draft the kid. I think he'll be OK, but end up a disappointment for a #1 pick.
Assuming Canes had the #1 Pick
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 15:14 — abramsdougAssuming the Canes had the #1 pick, and that Jim Rutherford delegated to you the enviable task of making the selection, assuming you decided not to risk taking Cam Fowler due to the uncertainty of time it might take for a defenseman to develop, who would you select?
There are some very talented forwards who will be draft eligible.
Forward?
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 16:03 — CanarseHonestly, I haven't seen any of the top rated forwards play but Hall. As you can see I wasn't impressed. Video highlights aren't enough IMO. You can see skill level, but little else.
I think the uncertainty about how long it takes a D-man to develop is BS. The Hurricanes keep whiffing on their choices and that is their excuse. Bowmeister, Pfanuf, Doughty, etc. all seemed to do very well and quickly. I could go on with more names. They screwed up on Jack Johnson by trying to bully him away from college.
Right now the Canes have 2 NHL defensemen, plus Carson, signed for next season. I'd say it's a priority.
I agree with ynotagain. I
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 14:24 — abramsdougI agree with ynotagain. I understand that Maurice cannot grab an eraser and make Brind'Amour vanish off the team; but playing Brind'Amour more than 3 to 4 minutes a night is plain silliness. Playing Brind'Amour with young speedy players is indeed the essence of insanity.
Boychuk
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 13:42 — abramsdougI really like Boychuk's play. It is a shame he got saddled with having to play either with Brind'Amour or Yelle because neither could keep up with Boychuk or Dwyer (or whomever else is put with them). Last night in about eight minutes of fourth line ice time, despite Yelle's painful lack of speed, Boychuk generated offensive chances and had two takeaways.
I understand, however, the financial constraints the Hurricanes organization is facing due to lowered attendance. Also, Boychuk will have plenty of time to develop in the AHL this season. It's far more important that he be ready next season. This season is gone as far as chasing the Stanley Cup.