News & Notes

• Forward Michael Ryan, who reportedly suffered a concussion in an NHL preseason game last Monday, is still not skating. Ryan, who was a leader for Albany last season, is one of the only remaining two-way players on the Carolina Hurricanes roster. The other is defenseman Jay Harrison.

• Carolina D-man Joni Pitkanen, who underwent knee surgery on September 10, is back at practice and playing alongside Aaron Ward. As a result, Jay Harrison has been bumped back to the seventh defensive slot. Pitkanen remains questionable for full competition, so Harrison could still play in the Canes' home opener Friday.

• Trevor Gillies is impressing folks at training camp in Rochester. The former Albany fan-favorite could soon be an enemy with the Amerks. 

• Ryan McGinnis and Aaron Clarke, who both played for the River Rats towards the end of last season, have been released from training camp with the Adirondack Phantoms. They have ECHL teams waiting on them. McGinnis will report to the Kalamazoo Wings. Clarke will go to the Wheeling Nailers.

• Former River Rat Ryan Bayda earned a two-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is on course to make the NHL roster...or not (update)...Bayda was sent down to Wilkes-Barre on September 30.