January 9th

'CANES TAKE A CHANCE ON SAMSONOV

The Carolina Hurricanes claimed forward Sergi Samsonov off re-entry waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 29 year-old has appeared in 23 of Chicago's games without scoring a goal. He has four assists, and a minus-seven plus-minus rating. He was acquired last just from Montreal for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen.

Samsonov is under contract for $3.525 million this season and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

With the move, the Blackhawks are responsible for half of Samsonov's remaining salary - about $800,000 for the balance of this season that counts against the cap. Carolina is responsible for the other half. 
  
He was the eighth player selected in the 1997 entry draft by Boston and won the Calder Trophy in the 1997-98 season when he scored 22 goals and added 25 assists in 81 games.

He made the all-star team as a Bruin in 2000-01 when he racked up a career-best 75 points, including 29 goals.
His career started a downward spiral when he signed with the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent in the summer of 2006. He had just nine goals and 17 assists in 63 games with Montreal and was a healthy scratch for 18 games in 2006-07. He was in the press box for the last 13 games of the season, after he publicly questioned whether he made the right move in signing with the Canadiens.


SHARKS RECALL GREISS

The San Jose Sharks recalled goalie Thomas Greiss on Tuesday to fill the thankless job of Evgeni Nabokov's backup.
Nabokov has started all 41 of the Sharks' games this season. Dimitri Patzoid, who was sent back to Worcester to get some playing time, has played just 44 minutes during three games this season.

Nabokov's 41 straight starts are the fourth-most consecutive games started in a single season since 1989-90, according to Stats LLC. If Nabokov starts the Sharks' next three games, he'll tie Martin Brodeur for the second-most in that time period, trailing only Grant Fuhr's 76 consecutive starts for St. Louis in 1995-96.

Greiss was 12-10-1 with a 3.03 goals-against average in Worcester. The German goalie was recalled for a one-week practice stint with San Jose in November, but has yet to appear in an NHL game.


CHELIOS 2ND OLDEST NHL'ER

It was old-timers night for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday when they hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Dominik Hasek made 19 saves for his second consecutive shutout, and 79th of his career, and Chris Chelios became the second-oldest player to appear in a NHL game in the Wings 1-0 win over the Av's.

Hasek, who'll turn 43 on Jan 29, has a 134-minute, 13-second scoreless streak.

Chelios, at 45 years, 348 days passed Moe Roberts to become the second oldest player in NHL history. Roberts played for the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov 25, 1951 at 45 years, 347 days. Only Gordie Howe played at an older age then Chelios, and listed below are the five oldest players to appear in a regular-season NHL game.

Player -Age -Date of Final Game -Club -Position

Gordie Howe -52 years, 6 days -4/6/80 -Hartford Whalers -Right Wing

Chris Chelios -45 years, 348 days-(age as of Tuesday, Jan 8) -Defenseman

Moe Roberts -45 years, 347 days-11/25/51 -Chicago Blackhawks -Goalie

Johnny Bower-45 years, 32 days -12/10/69 -Toronto Maple Leafs -Goalie

Gump Worsley-44 years, 323 days -4/2/74 -Mn North Stars -Goalie