Odds are, Jerome Samson will be heading to the Charlotte Checkers' training camp in a few days. Again, that may be his fate.

Samson won't like it. He hopes to be on the Canes' opening-day NHL roster. But if it happens, it happens, and the forward will accept it and continue to do what he has done with the Canes' AHL affiliates, whether in Albany or Charlotte -- work hard, score goals, wait for a callup to the big club and try again.

Says Samson, "It's been tough going from junior to the 'A' to here, but I just get there at some point."

UPDATE: Canes coach Paul Maurice said the roster would be cut to 27 players Thursday.

RALEIGH — With the addition of forward Cory Stillman, who the Carolina Hurricanes acquired in a trade Thursday, coach Paul Maurice said the team has more flexibility, comfort, and depth at forward.

With Stillman, moving into the Eric Staal’s line with Erik Cole, forward Jussi Jokinen moves into Brandon Sutter’s line with Jiri Tlusty. 

“That’s a line we really liked because you can play them against the other team’s two best, but they find some ways to score, too,” Maurice said of Sutter’s line combination. “There’s some offense to that line. I think it sorts some things out. It gives us other options.”

CHARLOTTE — The Checkers' Jerome Samson is a goal scorer. He's one of the best at it in the AHL and would like to think he could do the same in the NHL.

"I'm putting up the points here," he said. "I'd like to have my chance to do it there."

The Hurricanes did call Samson up last year for his NHL debut and the winger ended up playing seven games. But much of it was spent in a limited role on the fourth line, not a scoring line -- not that he complained.

"When I went up I averaged maybe eight minutes," he said. "I played the fourth line and no special teams. ... That's something you expect, not being in the top six right away.  It's a process."

The Canes have signed forward Jerome Samson to a two-year, two-way contract.

Samson, 22, will be paid $500,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the minor-league level in the first year, and $525,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the minor-league level in the second year.

Samson led the Albany River Rats last season in goals with 37,  tied for second among AHL skaters. He tied for fourth among AHL skaters with 78 points and was named to the AHL’s first All-Star team at the end of the season.

Samson made his NHL debut on Jan. 7 at Nashville, and earned an assist on Rod Brind’Amour’s goal during his first NHL shift. He finished the 2009-10 season with two assists in seven NHL games.

The Canes have reassigned forward Jerome Samson to the Albany River Rats (AHL).

Samson was called up Saturday from the Rats when forward Brandon Sutter (injured leg) was unable to play. Samson had 10:17 in ice time in the 4-0 loss to the Phoexix Coyotes. 

Samson had a team-high five shots on goal. He also was called for a double-minor for high-sticking in the first period, leading to the Coyotes' second goal.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Ten minutes into his first NHL game, Canes forward Jerome Samson already had his first NHL point and penalty.

For the record: Samson assisted on Rod Brind'Amour's goal at 2:52 of the first period, on his first shift, and then was called for hooking at 9:47.

"I was kind of nervous, obviously, getting my first first chance in the NHL," Samson said.