RALEIGH -- Goodbye, Patrick O'Sullivan. Hello, Ryan Carter.
The Carolina Hurricanes' roster took on a slightly different look Tuesday. Hours after the Minnesota Wild claimed O'Sullivan off waivers, the Canes acquired Carter in a deal that sent prospects Matt Kennedy and Stefan Chaput to the Anaheim Ducks.
Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said that Carter, 27, will give the Hurricanes a seasoned forward who can kill penalties and be effective in the faceoff circle. Carter was a member of the Ducks team that won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and has been a part of 20 playoff games.
"He has the experience of being on a winning team," Rutherford said. "He's played in the league a few years. He's not necessarily a fourth-line guy player. He can play in the top nine if injuries come up."
Carter, who has a one-way NHL contract, had a goal and two assists, plus 22 penalty minutes, in 18 games this season. He has averaged 10:44 in ice time per game while winning 50.3 percent of his faceoffs.
Last week, the Hurricanes claimed another Duck - forward Troy Bodie - off waivers. Rutherford said Carter, listed at 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds, would catch a red-eye flight and should be in the lineup tonight against the Washington Capitals.
O'Sullivan placed on waivers Monday by the Canes. The forward was a healthy scratch in 10 games and used mostly on the fourth line.
"Going on waivers is not a fun experience for a player, because you don't know what's going to happen," O'Sullivan said Tuesday. "Realizing there are teams that still want you and know what you're capable of is a good feeling."
O'Sullivan, 25, signed with Carolina just as training camp began and hoped to work his way into one of the Canes' top nine forward spots. But 18-year-old rookie Jeff Skinner quickly proved he belonged in the NHL and Patrick Dwyer emerged as a solid top-nine guy.
"He's handled the situation great," Rutherford said of O'Sullivan. "The opportunity didn't open up for him, especially when Skinner made the team. ... Certainly Patrick is a good NHL player. He can play and help a team."
