Our new friend Rat Byte at The Infestation — a blog covering the River Rats that is really doing some great work — is reporting that Jonathan Paiement has signed a deal with the Rats. Paiement was among those injured in the February bus crash — Casey Borer, Joe Jensen and Nicolas Blanchard were the other players badly hurt — but had made an impression last year. His addition as a potential top-six d-man may point to the Hurricanes planning on having one of their young blueliners — perhaps Brett Carson or Bryan Rodney — in Raleigh next season. Again, be sure to visit The Infestation for up-to-date Rats news.