Cavosie released; Canes lose Ruutu

The Albany River Rats today released forward Marc Cavosie from his professional tryout contract, while the Carolina Hurricanes announced that forward Tuomo Ruutu will be sidelined for about two weeks with an injury sustained last night in a fight with Darcy Tucker. 

Cavosie, a Cohoes native and former RPI star, was in town for two games and picked up an assist on Wednesday setting up Mike Angelidis for a goal against Adirondack. Cavosie will head back to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

The release of Cavosie raises questions about the availability of forwards for tonight's home game against Hartford. 

Even with the temporary signing of Cavosie, the Rats had been short one forward and were forced to skate defenseman Jonathan Paiement at left wing. 

Unless injured players Michael Ryan and Brad Herauf are both ready to go, the River Rats will again be short up front.

The Carolina Hurricanes currently have six former River Rats on the NHL roster, including forwards Brandon Sutter, Pat Dwyer, Zach Boychuk, Jiri Tlusty, Jerome Samson and defenseman Brett Carson. The injury to Ruutu will likely extend the stay of one of the forwards. 

Eric Staal, who was given a leave of absence following the death of his sister-in-law, may be available for the Canes' next game tomorrow, but if not, Carolina will need yet another player. Tim Conboy, who usually skates up front with the Hurricanes, is a likely candidate. 

The Rats will have five days off after tonight's contest, providing some breathing room and recuperation time for players at all levels. 

News & Notes

• Jerome Samson tallied an assist during his NHL debut last night with the Carolina Hurricanes in Nashville. In familiar fashion, Samson, on his very first shift, controlled the play behind the net, wrapped the puck around, and threw it on goal for captain Rod Brind'Amour, who slammed home the rebound. Samson registered 7:10 of ice-time and had a team-high four shots on goal. He was also assessed a hooking penalty in the first period, but it was nullified 11 seconds later by a Nashville infraction. Carolina ended up dropping the lead and losing 4-2. Steve Sullivan, who started his career with Albany in 1994, netted the game-winner. Watch the highlights here. The Canes play again tonight at home against the Colorado Avalanche. Samson is the centerpiece of an article at the Raleigh News & Observer. 

• Rookie forward Chris Terry is the subject of an article in today's Troy Record. 

• Forward Marc Cavosie is featured in today's Albany Times Union. The Schenectady Daily Gazette has a bit more.

• Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the latest on the Rats' fluctuating roster. 

• We are told goaltender Justin Peters will be donning a new "Pete-Dawg"-themed mask later this month. He is still deciding on a final design. 

• Defenseman Aaron Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes is no longer eligible for reassignment. Ward skated last night in his tenth game since clearing waivers in December.
  

Rats sign Marc Cavosie

The Albany River Rats today announced the signing of forward Marc Cavosie to a professional tryout contract. 

The 28-year-old Cohoes-native and former RPI star joins the Rats for the second time of his career. Cavosie skated with Albany on a 25-game tryout contract at the end of 2007-08 and the beginning of 2008-09.

Cavosie, who holds more than seven years of professional experience, has skated in a total of 474 contests in the AHL, ECHL and Swedish leagues since 2002. 

Cavosie has four goals and eight assists in 15 games this season with the Reading Royals of the ECHL. He spent the beginning of the year in the AHL with the Lake Erie Monsters, notching two assists after 16 games. 

The six-foot-tall, 202-pound checking forward is known for battling along the boards and crashing the net.

News & Notes

• Brett Carson last week joined informal practices at the RecZone in Raleigh.

• Ryan Bayda has been invited to training camp with the St. Louis Blues.

• Jason Smith announced his retirement.

• Marc Cavosie signed an ECHL contract with the Reading Royals.

• Jim Rutherford wants to trade Anton Babchuk for a "young defenseman."