The Carolina Hurricanes recalled Jerome Samson from the Albany River Rats late yesterday, to fill in for Eric Staal who will be on personal leave for the next couple of games.  This will be the first NHL recall for Samson, the leading scorer for the Rats this season.

According to this Albany Times Union report, Samson was notified about the call up after the Rats' contest with the Adirondack Phantoms last night and the news at least provided a bit of happiness after a tough overtime loss.  The forward has scored 123 points in 173 career AHL games and has 13 goals and 17 assists in 38 games for Albany this season.

Samson will be joining Albany teammates Patrick Dwyer, Brett Carson, Zach Boychuk, and Jiri Tlusty who have already joined the Canes.  Of course, Brandon Sutter started the year with the Rats, so this will make six players who started the season in the minors, who will be in the Hurricanes lineup tonight.

We will have the game day preview up early this afternoon after we get news from the morning skate.