Empty Netter Assists - 7-25-09

Penguins

-Goaltending prospect Brad Thiessen (above) had quite an interesting spring.

-Jay McKee just wants to win.

-The Nailers signed forward Chase Watson.

Atlantic Division

-The Flyers signed prospect Marc-Andre Bourdon to an entry-level deal.

Northeast Division

-The Bruins signed former Rangers defenseman Derek Morris to a one-year deal worth $3 million.

Southeast Division

-The Hurricanes went back to their past as they re-acquired defenseman Aaron Ward from the Bruins for forward Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round draft pick in 2010.

-We assume Ward and Scott Walker won't be rooming on the road together:

-Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen underwent minor back surgery.

Central Division

-The Blackhawks' offseason keeps getting better. It turns out new injured forward Marian Hossa didn't receive a physical until after he signed his contract.

-Could Hossa's injury cost him a re-match with the Penguins in the regular season?

-The Blues re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Roman Polak to a two-year deal worth $2.2 million.

Northwest Division

-The Oilers are kind of like a single woman in her late 30s. In other words, they're really trying hard to woo Senators forward Dany Heatley. They're sending him video tapes of their team to his house.

-The Flames re-signed restricted free agent forward Kris Chucko.

Pacific Division

-Coyotes forward Daniel Winnik was awarded a one-year deal in arbitration.

(Photos: Thiessen-Northeastern)