Canes defenseman Aaron Ward has cleared waivers and remains with the team, but goaltender Michael Leighton has been claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Ward was placed on waivers Monday and was at practice today. Leighton was put on re-entry waivers Sunday by the Hurricanes and was picked up today by the Flyers.
"It hasn't been an easy situation for him," Canes coach Paul Maurice said of Ward. "But he practiced hard yesterday and practiced hard today, and that's what he's getting paid to do.
"We expect him in the lineup tomorrow night (against Dallas) and he'll have an opportunity to play his best hockey and play more minutes."
Defenseman Tim Gleason missed his second straight practice and is "day-to-day,Maurice said. Gleason took a puck in the face in Washington on Friday and needed 30 stitches to close the wound, but returned to play against the Capitals and again the next night in Ottawa.
"He took a pretty good shot there and we want to make sure he's all clear before he goes tomorrow (against Dallas)," Maurice said.
Defenseman Niclas Wallin, sidelined with an upper-body injury, did not practice and his status for the Stars game is uncertain. Jay Harrison and Brett Carson, both recent callups from Albany (AHL), remain with the team.
Winger Sergei Samsonov returned to practice today. Samsonov missed three games with a lower-body injury.
The Canes still have an open forward spot. The team sent forwards Jiri Tlusty and Patrick Dwyer back to Albany after the Ottawa game, and Maurice said Dwyer could be recalled for the Stars game because of immigration issues involving Tlusty.
"Jiri is probably in that four- to five-day window where he's not able to play," Maurice said. "The immigration thing ... has changed the last few years since 9-11. The process of getting visas, I think, has gotten longer. So I don't think he's available, which would put Paddy Dwyer more as the next guy up, I would think."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Thanks For
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 20:21 — esteban1949The information folks...I found out via the flyers web site ...that Leighton will have #49 for the flyers...and i wonder if he will be in the net when we play them...hey the canes are up 2-0 in the first period against dallas...
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !!
Go Canes !!
Good luck
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 21:03 — Hockeydogto Michael. He did his best here and did have a stretch or two when he played well.
I just
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 17:25 — esteban1949looked on the flyers "official" site and the flyers already have Leighton on the Roster page...but no assigned number yet..i wonder if he'll try and go for #49 like he had here @ carolina ? Anyone know what is old Number was when he was with Philly the first time ? the picture they show on the site shows him in a jersey marked 40 something, but was not able to read the second number....
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !!
Go Canes !!
11-point lead
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 16:22 — ocolumnA new thread is needed: Which team poses the greatest threat to the Canes finishing last?
Doesn't appear to be the Leafs any more.
Next Question
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 16:59 — GoShelfIf we finish last and get the #1 pick, who do we pick Hall or Seguin? Seguin plays for the Plymouth Whalers - Pete K OHL team. I don't know if any follows but Seguin just got cut from the Canadian WJ team and Hall looks like he's going to make the team, so that probably puts him ahead of Seguin. It's hypothetical but if we have the 1st pick we'll we pick the best player (Hall) or we'll we pick the guy that played for team owners OHL team?
Next Question
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 17:33 — louis12580Even if we finish last, which we won't, I get the feeling that the fix (Hello Patrick Ewing conspiracy) will be in courtesy of the NHL and keep us from getting the first over all pick. As for the pick, it seems as though the front office is always full of surprises. Maybe a trade for a lower first round pick and a player who could come in and immediately contribute. Just remember that Walker's, Cullen's, Whitney's contracts are all up at the end of the season. Also, Corvo, Wallin and Aaron will be UFA's as well. You just never know what will happen.
Hall.
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 17:24 — dustinlammersI think with our need for a bonafide star winger to play with Staal it has to be Taylor Hall. He has the speed, size, grit and scoring prowess to team up nice with Staal.
Seguin is a play making skilled center which we are stocked at if you consider Staal, Jokinen, Sutter and someone else next season.
I will be watching the WJHC close as it's hosted in my hometown, so it'll be good to keep and eye on what Hall does with more eyes on him.
Taylor Hall
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 19:46 — abramsdougEither Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin would be great additions; but I think Taylor Hall is a no-brainer decision. Hall meets the Hurricanes need for a superb scoring winger to go with Staal on the first line.
Nice
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 17:55 — GoShelfAgreed. Go Pat's right? I'll bet you're not missing the weather. I think in the end Hall will be the higher ranked player, he's doing more with less ice time and not making the WJ squad will really hurt Seguin. Scouts wanna see how these kids play against the best in the world. One of the best parts about Christmas in Canada has to be the WJ Championships. As always I'm excited, if you know anywhere good to watch it in the Triangle (with volume) please let me know.
NICE
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 20:52 — louis12580An update for those interested. I was just on the NHL site and it shows that the WJC games will be available on the NHLnet-US.
NICE
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 20:47 — louis12580Sometimes games like that are carried on the Center Ice Package and perhaps even the NHL Network. As they say, "Check your local listings."
NHL Network
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 21:12 — GoShelfThey cover Canadian/US games on the NHL Network via TSN, I was just wondering if there's a local bar that carry's the games.
I just have a sick feeling
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 15:18 — wxray1I just have a sick feeling that somehow Leights will play for the Flyers on 12/26 and will shut out the Canes. This will mark a remarkable turning point for the Flyers club, with their new coach. The way this season has gone, it wouldn't surprise me. Keep in mind that Toronto was neck and neck for the basement with the Canes, then the Canes play them and Toronto takes off and is now 11 points up.
Yes, the Canes own the basement with a gap of 11 points from any team (7 of them at 31 points, Canes at 20). Unbelievable.
I just looked
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 16:26 — esteban1949Hey wxray I just looked at the schedule and i had to laugh at what you said...and yes that would be something if what you just said did come true...talk about a confidence & gut buster...whoa baby !! While i do wish Michael all the best...but Not that much !!!
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !! Go Canes !!
Well now
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 15:07 — esteban1949Now that Leighton is going to the flyers..will the flyers keep him up or send him to Great falls and join the phantoms ? As they do play the rats soon...And I'll make wager that Aaron will be playing his butt off as Tim is still healing up. Gee it almost sounds like a soap opera huh ? hmmm when the puck drops..brought to you by ...The RBCC your place for family fun and excitment...buy your favorite over priced Cable company who charges more and gives you less...and by the Hippy Dippy Asprin company...they cure your pain !! And in the latest news from no where... our US Senate is still trying to jam down our throats health care reform that a majority of Americans ( not visitors) don't want...gee i thought they worked for us ...guess not huh ? The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !! Go Canes !!
Leighton
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 15:47 — bu11durmLeighton will likely stay with the big club in Philly as Boucher's backup until Emery returns from injury (4 to 6 weeks or so)