Bayda assigned to Wilkes-Barre

Forward Ryan Bayda, who recently signed to two-way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been assigned to the team's AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. 

The River Rats will face-off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins eight times this season. The first game is on November 18 at home.

From 2002 to 2008, Bayda bounced between the Carolina Hurricanes and the team's AHL affiliates in Lowell and Albany. He also spent a year with the Manitoba Moose in 2005-06. 

Bayda played a total of 81 games with the River Rats between 2006 and 2008. He scored 39 goals and 37 assists while wearing an Albany uniform.

Bayda spent all of the 2008-09 season with Carolina, skating in 70 regular season games and 15 playoff contests. 

Carolina added significant offensive depth during the offseason, reducing Bayda's chances of retaining a spot in the starting line-up. 

This summer Bayda rejected a two-way offer from the the Canes in hopes of finding a one-way deal elsewhere. 

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.
  

Bayda Heading to Penguins' Camp

Last week we learned that former River Rat Ryan Bayda was invited to training camp with the St. Louis Blues. Today we learn he is heading to camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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."