Associated Press: -The Carolina Hurricanes suspended defenseman Anton Babchuk on Wednesday for failing to report to their American Hockey League affiliate in Albany.
The suspension came the day after Babchuk was sent down and the Hurricanes activated defenseman Frantisek Kaberle from the non-roster injured list.
«He said he needed a few days to think about it," general manager Jim Rutherford said by phone from Boston, where the Hurricanes will play the Bruins on Thursday. Rutherford said the suspension will last «until he makes a decision.»
Babchuk had two goals and 12 assists in 51 games with the Hurricanes. His agent, Jay Grossman of Tarrytown, N.Y., did not return a telephone message seeking comment, and a woman who answered the phone at Grossman's office said he was out of the office traveling.

Canadian Press: The Carolina Hurricanes have 10 NHL defenceman and Anton Babchuk was the odd man out. And he's not happy about it.
So the 22-year-old refused an assignment to AHL Albany, forcing the Hurricanes to suspend him Wednesday.
«It's really more of an administrative thing for us right now with our numbers with everybody back healthy," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. «Anton is just kind of set back by it because he played very well. He's just taking a couple of days to think about it. But by league rules this is something we have to do.»
Babchuk was the obvious candidate to be reassigned. He's the only defenceman among the 10 that's on a two-way contract, making US$900,600 in the NHL and $92,500 in the AHL, and also doesn't have to clear waivers to be demoted.
He had two goals and 12 assists in 51 games with the Hurricanes this season.
«We've had a lot of interest in defencemen," said Rutherford. «We're not breaking up our core group of guys that we won with. Also including the trade with made for (Tim) Gleason. After that, we have to decide which one we would consider moving.»
Babchuck's suspension came one day after Kaberle was activated from the non-roster injured list. The Czech veteran missed 55 games while he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery. He scored the winning goal in Tuesday night's 2-1 win at Montreal.

Советский спорт:

Бабчук может вернуться в суперлигу

Недавно защитник Антон Бабчук снова был вызван в состав «Каролины» из фарм-клуба. Однако действующие обладатели Кубка Стэнли пока держат нашего игрока в резерве, не выпуская на лед. Корреспондент «Советского спорта» в Роли Дмитрий МАНАХОВ встретился с Бабчуком.

– Пока не знаю точно, что со мной будет в следующем сезоне, – поделился планами Антон Бабчук. – Летом я становлюсь ограниченно свободным агентом. Тогда и посмотрим, где работать дальше. В межсезонье я, как обычно, приеду домой. И, вероятно, подпишу контракт с клубом суперлиги. Меня не устраивает, как складывается моя карьера в «Каролине». Я хочу играть, а не просиживать штаны на лавке.

Сергей :
Посмотрел я на него в игре против АК БАРСа.Впечатляет.
Позиционно очень силен.Читает игру.Единоборства.Ну и конечно в большинстве.И щелчек,и шайбу за счет габаритов может протащить.
Из тех защитников,кого я видел он самый сильный по суперлиге.

Советский Спорт: – Антон, понимаю, что «Каролина» бьется за выход в плей-офф. Но если она не пробьется в Кубок Стэнли, вы поехали бы на чемпионат мира? – спросил я у Бабчука.

– Разумеется. Хотя со мной давно уже никто не контактировал. Последний раз я играл за сборную еще на молодежном уровне.