News & Notes

• With two leaders injured early in the season, players like Nicolas Blanchard are stepping up to fill the void. The Troy Record has the story. 

• Undrafted sensation Jerome Samson continues to play above and beyond expectations. The Albany Times Union calls the speedy forward a "young veteran."

• Rookie Drayson Bowman was ranked #3 on this week's "Hot List" composed by the Hockey News. Bowman and Zach Boychuk lead the AHL in rookie scoring with five points each.

• D-man Joni Pitkanen of the Carolina Hurricanes is still out of action with knee soreness. He will not play tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Canes' star forward Eric Staal missed practice yesterday with "tightness" but is expected to play tonight. Chip Alexander and Paul Branecky keep us updated.

• Local actor, producer, hockey fan and now internet comedian Donny Ferlazzo shows off his new River Rats' "training program" on YouTube. A little weird.
  

• Not Rats related, but legendary defenseman Chris Chelios, who started playing in the NHL back in 1983, just joined the AHL's Chicago Wolves. No joke. Get the full story at Puck Daddy.