Carolina claims forward from Blackhawks, gives him 20 minutes of ice time

Luke DeCock. 

BOSTON - Desperate for help at forward, the Carolina Hurricanes are gambling that Sergei Samsonov can not only recapture his goal-scoring form but help the Hurricanes recapture theirs.

The Canes claimed Samsonov from the Chicago Blackhawks on "re-entry" waivers at noon Tuesday, which means they're responsible for half of what remains of his $3.525 million salary -- $881,250.

Wearing No. 14 and playing right wing with Cory Stillman and Rod Brind'Amour, Samsonov hustled to Boston and was in the starting lineup six hours later against the Bruins, the team with which he played the first eight seasons of his NHL career and cracked the 20-goal mark four times.

"It is a bit ironic being picked up and having the first game being here in Boston," Samsonov said. "We got a big win and now I can get to know the team a little bit. It's been a little hectic today, but I wanted to get here in time."

His best scoring chance came midway through the second period, off a give-and-go with Stillman. Samsonov finished with three shots on goal in more than 20 minutes of ice time.

"I thought he did great," Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette said. "That line was dangerous. They had them pinned in there at times. He had three or four shots on net. He had a couple of quality scoring chances."

Samsonov tied his career high in 2001 with 29 goals for Boston when Laviolette was a Bruins assistant coach. But Samsonov failed to score in 23 games with the Blackhawks this season and had only nine goals in 63 games with Montreal last season.

With Justin Williams expected to miss the rest of the regular season and Matt Cullen out indefinitely as he recovers from a concussion, the Canes felt it was worth the financial risk to see if Samsonov, 29, could recover his goal-scoring touch.

"He's a real good character guy and an NHL player," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. "He hasn't had the same production over the last few years for whatever reason, but in our situation with so many injuries and especially with Williams being out and not knowing when certain guys are coming back, he can come in and help."

Samsonov's debut with the Hurricanes offered some historical irony. Not only did Samsonov's best years come with the Bruins, but the Bruins drafted him in 1998 with a first-round pick acquired from the then-Hartford Whalers in the 1994 trade for Glen Wesley.

Brandon Nolan was returned to Albany (AHL) to make room for Samsonov.