Empty Netter Assists - 12-26-09

Penguins

-Maxime Talbot (right) is your local NHLPA representative.

-Who is the most disliked visiting player in Civic/Mellon Arena history?

-Happy 72nd birthday to former Penguins forward and coach Gene Ubriaco. A member of the original Penguins team in 1967-68, Ubriaco's 18 goals were third-most on the squad. Traded to the Oakland Seals in 1969, Ubriaco's would return to the Penguins rougly 20 years later when he took over as head coach in 1988-89. He led the franchise to the playoffs for the first time with Mario Lemieux. Ubriaco currently serves as senior advisor/director of hockey operations for the Chicago Wolves, the Thrashers' AHL affiliate.

Atlantic Division

-Former Penguins defenseman Kevin McCarthy has been a valuable addition to the Flyers as an assistant coach.

-The Devils have another pretty big Eastern Conference road game tonight in Washington.

Northeast Division

-Is Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers the top candidate for the Calder Trophy?

Central Division

-Tonight's Predators-Blackhawks match-up might be the biggest game of the night.

-The Blackhawks are complaining that their power play is "only" ranked 14th in the league.

Pacific Division

-Sharks defenseman Kent Huskins (right) is very grateful to Ducks coach and former Penguins defenseman Randy Carlyle for giving him a shot in the NHL.

Adams Division

-The World Junior Championships begin today in Regina Saskatchewan.

(Photo: Joel Auerbach/Getty Images; Huskins-Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)