Boychuk returns to Carolina

The Carolina Hurricanes have claimed forward Zach Boychuk off waivers from the Nashville Predators.

Boychuk will rejoin his original NHL team after also playing for Pittsburgh and Nashville this season.

Carolina's first-round pick in 2008, Boychuk started the season with the Hurricanes and appeared in the season-opener before being waived and claimed by Pittsburgh at the end of January. He played seven games for the Penguins in February, then was claimed off waivers by the Predators on March 5 and played five games for Nashville.

In 13 NHL games overall this season, Boychuk has one goal and one assist. He had also posted 16 goals and 16 assists in 37 games with Carolina's AHL affiliate in Charlotte before the end of the NHL's work stoppage.

The 23-year-old Boychuk has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 85 NHL games with the Hurricanes, Penguins and Predators.