Empty Netter Assists - Western Conference - 1-29-09
Central Division
-Nikolai Khabibulin made 36 saves and led the Blackhawks to a 3-2 defeat of the Ducks. Scott Niedermayer had two assists for Anaheim.
-Martin Erat had a goal and an assist for the Predators who won at Vancouver, 5-3. Teammates Dan Hamius and Ryan Suter each added two assists.
-Money wasn't the only thing Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg got yesterday.
-Detroit general manager Ken Holland admitted he probably only has the salary cap room to re-sign one of his notable remaining free agent forwards, Marian Hossa (right) or Johan Franzen but left open the possibility to hang on to both.
-Hossa and Franzen both said they want to stay in Detroit. And guess what. If you can believe this, Hossa gave a vague response on if he would take a discount to stay. How unlike him.
-John Foster of the Detroit News jumped on the "Gary Bettman hates us/tin foil hat" bandwagon driven by Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood. Foster wrote: "And who can forget the Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Wings were so dominant in the series I can't even tell you if Sidney Crosby played."
-Crosby apparently didn't score six points (two goals, four assists) in the series.
-Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius have formed a complimentary duo.
-Columbus' coaches are teaching defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to be less aggressive.
-The Blackhawks named former Sharks goaltender Wade Flaherty their developmental goaltending coach.
Northwest Division
-Here's some help for the Penguins. Mike Cammalleri had a hat trick and led the Flames to a 5-3 win against the Sabres. Teammates Craig Conroy and Jarome Iginla each had two assists. Tim Connolly led Buffalo with a goal and two assists.
-The Wild recalled Peter Olvecky from Houston of the AHL and put former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward Krys Kolanos on waivers.
-Avalanche goaltender Andrew Raycroft and forward Darcy Tucker (right) make their return to Toronto.
Pacific Division
-Ducks forward Teemu Selanne returned to the lineup after missing 17 games due to a thigh injury.
-Coyotes forward Enver Lisin is the fastest player you don't know anything about.
-Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle denied reports he was hurt at the All-Star Lame Game.
Adams Division
-A gay rights group in Canada is upset with CBC commentator/caveman Mike Milbury over his use of the word "pansification."
-Is it us or are there other words Milbury has at his disposal if he intentionally wanted to put down homosexuals?
-A pretty good look at the NBA and NHL in common markets.
(Photos: Hossa-Claus Andersen/Getty Images; Tucker-Jeff Lewis/Associated Press)