Canes' Grahame Clears Waivers, Sent to Albany

WRALSportsFan

Canes' Grahame Clears Waivers, Sent to Albany

Jan 4, 2008

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The Carolina Hurricanes back-up goalie John Grahame was assigned to a minor league affiliate Friday after clearing waivers, the team announced.

Grahame was expected to join the Albany (N.Y.) River Rats for its American Hockey League game Friday night against the Syracuse Crunch.

The Canes also placed defenseman David Tanabe (concussion) and forwards Matt Cullen (illness) and Scott Walker (knee) on injured reserve. The team recalled goaltender Michael Leighton and forwards Keith Aucoin and Brandon Nolan from Albany.

Grahame, 32, has played two seasons with the Hurricanes. This year, he had a 4-6-1 record with 3.83 goals allowed per game and a save percentage of 88 percent. In his last 8 games in goal, Grahame was 2 and 5 with a no decision.

From Nov. 14 through Dec. 1, he allowed 6, 4 and 8 goals, respectively, in three consecutive losses.

Leighton, 26, has played in 30 games for the River Rats this season, and currently ranks first in the AHL with five shutouts, tied for fourth with 13 wins, fourth with a 2.14 goals-against average and second with a .928 save percentage. Leighton, who is 6 feet 3 and 186 pounds, is in his seventh professional season and has played in 47 NHL games with Chicago, Nashville and Philadelphia, recording a 10-23-10 record, a 3.03 goals-against average and three shutouts.

Aucoin, 29, is being recalled for the second time this season. He played in six games with Carolina earlier and recorded two assists while averaging 6:33 of ice time per game.

Nolan, 24, returns to the Hurricanes after being reassigned to Albany on Dec. 28 following his first career NHL recall.

Most Recent Comments

" If management has to put a player on waivers just to "fire" another player up, something is very wrong."

Yep. something is very wrong with the Canes. Obviously they felt they could live without Grahme. He wasnt very popular with the coaches his first time in TB, but now TB is hurting for goalies as well.

So, what is next if Cam Ward blows up? If management has to put a player on waivers just to "fire" another player up, something is very wrong.

I think it was also a message for Ward as well.
If this new kid plays well, watch out.
Dont forget Gerber got pulled for a young goalie in the playoffs.

Grahame seemed to get no support when he was in the net. Yes, there were a few goals he should have stopped. However, there were many times when he was facing several opposing players and our guys were just standing around not doing much and watching the puck go in. Sorry it turned out this way for him.

We need Bob Probert!

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WRALSportsFan