Samsonov lands with Carolina after waiver claim

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes claimed right wing Sergei Samsonov on re-entry waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks, and reassigned forwards Brandon Nolan and Keith Aucoin to their American Hockey League affiliate Tuesday.

Samsonov had four assists in 23 games with the Blackhawks before being assigned to Rockford of the AHL on Jan. 2. By claiming Samsonov, the Hurricanes are responsible for half of his more than $3.5 million salary; he is in the second season of a two-year deal he signed in 2006.

The Blackhawks acquired Samsonov from Montreal in June in exchange for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen. A first-round draft pick in 1997, Samsonov has 178 goals and 244 assists in 619 regular-season games with Boston, Edmonton, Montreal and Chicago.

Samsonov is expected to join Carolina for Tuesday night's game at Boston.

The team also sent Nolan and Aucoin back to Albany after they were recalled Jan. 3 on an emergency basis. Nolan played in Carolina's games at Atlanta and St. Louis, while Aucoin played in both of those games as well at Boston on Tuesday night.

Both the 24-year-old Nolan and the 29-year-old Aucoin were in their second stints with the team this year.