Lemieux attempting comeback
Empty Netters has learned that a player near and dear to the hearts of Penguins fans... shoot... all hockey fans... is hoping to come out retirement.
Yes folks, your hopes and prayers have been answered.
Claude Lemieux is considering a comeback to the NHL!
We for one welcome the prospect of Claude Lemieux once again gliding up and down NHL rinks. Without Lemieux we wouldn't have so many special, heartwarming memories:
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W-JXDu1X-I]
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYOFv8IArUY]
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3SHuwOOAIM]
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pFXPH1wwcA]
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ELIiaRsU7o]
No word yet if Lemieux is in the best shape of his life.
Malkin's goal
Here's a video of the goal Evgeni Malkin scored last night:
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFlyRVUu02E]
A little bit lucky, a little bit sick, but pretty nonetheless.
You can view highlights of the entire win against Toronto through TSN.
-A rebroadcast of the game will be available on NHL Network today at 6:30 a.m.
EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS
Penguins
-A little bit more information on the shoulder of Sergei Gonchar.
-Paul Bissonnette has come a long way in a year.
-FSN Pittsburgh will carry 47 games in high definition this season.
-Goaltender Adam Berkhoel is fighting for a job with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
-Forward Joe Haddad has been a surprise for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
-The Wheeling Nailers announced their promotional schedule.
Atlantic Division
-Former Penguins forward Petr Nedved is a long shot to make the Rangers' roster.
-Even so, Nedved had a goal and an assist for the Rangers last night in a 3-2 win at New Jersey.
-Flyers forward Simon Gagne is hoping to play his first game Saturday since suffering head injuries last season.
-Injured Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher wants to end his career on his own terms. By drowning puppies.
Northeast Division
-The Sabres are selling a DVD about the Winter Classic. (Kudos to EN reader Rich Yanizeski for the heads up.)
-The Sabres are going with a classic, less "sluggish" look for the center ice design at HSBC arena.
-Montreal defenseman Mattieu Carle was injured on a pretty violent hit by Red Wings forward Tomas Kopecky last night. RDS has the video.
-Check out the jerseys the Canadiens will use to commemorate their 100th anniversary:
-From left to right, Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec are in the Eastern and Western conference all-star jerseys which are ugly as usual. Saku Koivu is in the 1909-10 jersey. Patrice Brisebois is sporting the 1910-11 jersey. Alex Kovalev has the 1912-13 jersey. Roman Hamrlik is rocking the 1915-16 jersey. Mathieu Dandenault is in the 1945-46 jersey. And finally Steve Begin is wearing the 1970-71 jersey.
(Photo: Christinne Muschi/Reuters)
-Canadiens forward and former Penguin Alex Kovalev is the fourth Hab to suffer a groin injury this preseason.
-Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs might still think Sergei Gonchar plays for his team.
-Bruins forward Chuck Kobasew is still day-to-day with a leg injury he suffered last season.
-New Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson is already going all Michel Therrien on his line combinations.
Southeast Division
-Lightning defenseman Paul Ranger isn't expected to start the season in the Czech Republic with the rest of his teammates due to a shoulder injury.
-Check out this nifty goal Lightning rookie forward Steven Stamkos scored the other night against the Rangers:
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J-YE5QAEtI]
-The Thrashers signed defenseman Tobias Enstrom to a four-year extension.
-The shoulder injury of Thrashers forward and former Penguin Erik Christensen is not serious.
-Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau has his own bobblehead doll.
-Apparently ESPN has heard of this sport called hockey. Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is appearing on the cover of ESPN The Magazine.
-Panthers defenseman and former Penguin Noah Welch is lending his brain to science. He'll be participating in a study on concussions. (Kudos to EN reader David Lehew for the heads up.)
-Former Penguins forward Matt Murley is excited to get a chance with the Hurricanes.
Central Division
-Someone protect Brett Lebda and Hal Gill! Nicklas Lidstrom joins Sergei Gonchar, Rob Scuderi and Ryan Whitney on the list of Stanley Cup final defensemen to suffer injuries before the season. He was hit in the face with a puck last night.
-Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood wants the recently opened general manager job of the Detroit Lions. Apparently he heard if you flop around like a fish at the NFL draft, you get compensatory draft picks.
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iAKSI5e4bE]
-If you've purchased tickets to the next Winter Classic already, you might have a problem. The NHL hasn't put them up for sale yet.
-Could the Oakland Raiders learn something from the Chicago Blackhawks?
-The Predators want their goons to be able to do more than just throw punches.
Northwest Division
-New Canucks forward Steve Bernier is doing well so far in Vancouver.
Pacific Division
-Forward Bobby Ryan, the consolation prize in the 2005 draft which saw the Penguins select Sidney Crosby first overall, had two goals and an assist for the Ducks in a 6-4 defeat of the Sharks.
-The Sharks signed defenseman Douglas Murray to a four-year extension.
-Former Penguins forward Landon Wilson is grateful the Stars are giving him an opportunity to get back in the NHL.
-They still don't like Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky in Winnipeg.
Patrick Division
-Check out the re-design for the NHL's Web site. Sharp.