Aftershock: Hurricanes Acquire Sergei Samsonov

Pardon me while I pick myself up off the floor here. In a move that I don’t think anyone outside of the organization saw coming, the Carolina Hurricanes picked up Sergei Samsonov on re-entry waivers today. While I was reading a general notice last night about Samsonov clearing waivers and being put on reentry status, I was thinking to myself that the Canes would never pick him up. Even half of his salary was too far out of whack.

Besides, the team needs defense. They have just about allowed more goals than any other team in the league. They wouldn’t waste money by picking up a player who would have zero affect or benefit to the defense, would they?

All reasoning, or lack there of aside, Sergei Samsonov is now a Carolina Hurricane. The Russian “sniper” has yet to score a goal this season and has totaled 4 assists. I wasn’t expecting my prediction of acquiring Brian McGratton to be accurate, but I would prefer that it was. We will see if “SS” has anything left in the gas tank.

The Canes will be responsible for the balance of the remaining 50% of his 3.525 million dollar contract. Since the year is about half over, that should be just under $900,000. For those of you keeping track, Mark Recchi’s total salary was less than half of Samsonov’s. (1.75 million.)

This move smells of desperation, which should scare Caniacs a bit. I doubt that they would be spending this kind of money if Matt Cullen was coming back anytime soon. The good news about the signing is that at least the franchise didn’t give up any draft picks or prospects.

Coincidentally, Samsonov and the Canes will play tonight against the team who originally drafted him, the Boston Bruins. Perhaps Sergei has a surprise for his old team?

It has been confirmed that Cam Ward will be in net for Carolina. It’s expected that Andrew Ladd and Nic Wallin will both return to the ice as well. Glen Wesley, (illness) and Brandon Nolan will sit out.

The Bruins are riding a 3 game winning streak, but the Hurricanes have had good fortune against the “B’s” recently. Last year, Ray Whitney scored the fastest hat-trick in franchise history there. Maybe he can repeat?

Pre-game starts at 6:30 and game time is at 7 on FSN.