Empty Netter Assists - 06-23-10
Penguins
-Sidney Crosby (above, with noted Penguins fan Snoop Dogg) hits Vegas.
-Welcome back Matt Cooke.
-Jordan Staal's is still dealing with his wonky foot.
-After his second-round exit from the playoffs, Crosby admitted he didn't watch any playoff hockey until Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final (PG+).
-Crosby is a fan of Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin doesn't know who he is (PG+).
-Ray Shero made an appearance on NHL Live yesterday. Part 1:
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Part 2:
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-Following a vote of approval from the NHLPA, the NHL's salary cap will jump from $56.8 million to 58.5 million. The NHLPA also voted to extend the collective bargaining agreement until 2012.
Northeast Division
-The Bruins acquire forward Nathan Horton and defenseman Gregory Campbell from the Panthers in exchange for defenseman Dennis Wideman, a first-round pick in this weekend's draft (No. 15 overall) and a third-round pick in 2011.
-The Canadiens re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Tomas Plekanec to a six-year deal worth $5 million per season.
-Plekanec could have commanded more money on the open market.
-Montreal also re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Mathieu Darche to a one-year deal worth $500,000.
Southeast Division
-"I'm not going to say anything bad about the [Panthers] organization, but there have been five coaches in the time I've been there." -Horton on his time with Florida. He was a first-round pick in 2003.
-"When you lose, and you see different players win, it’s a pretty hard moment." - Alex Ovechkin.
-The Hurricanes re-signed forward Jerome Samson to a two-year, two-way contract.
-The Thrashers will meet with Bill Peters, head coach the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, about their vacant head coaching position.
Central Division
-The Blackhawks accepted an invitation to take part in Chicago gay Pride Parade this weekend. Defenseman Brent Sopel (right), his family and the Stanley Cup will represent the team.
-The Blue Jackets are expected to hire former Penguins coach Bob Berry as an assistant coach. The team has also interviewed former Penguins forward Randy Cunneyworth for an assistant position. Cunneyworth spent the past two seasons with the Thrashers as an assistant.
-Correction: We accidently read "Brad" as Bob. The Blue Jackets have hired Brad Berry as an assistant coach. Our apologies for the error.
-Columbus revealed its logo for its 10th anniversary season:
-Solid.
Northwest Division
-The Oilers "promoted" head coach Pat Quinn to a senior advisory position in the front office and moved assistant coach Tom Renney to the head coach position. Renney has previous served as the head coach of the Rangers and Canucks.
-Quinn didn't exactly hide the fact he's not pleased with the "promotion."
-The Wild signed restricted free agent forward Brad Staubitz to a two-year deal worth $575,000 per season.
-"No, I shouldn’t win." - Canucks forward Henrik Sedin on his credentials as a finalist for the Hart Trophy and the Lindsay Award.
-The Canucks fired goaltending consultant Ian Clark and hired Roland Melanson as goaltending coach. Melanson formerly served the same position with the Canadiens.
Pacific Divison
-Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer (right) announced his retirement after 18 years in the NHL.
-Niedmermayer brought legitimacy when he signed with the Mighty Ducks following the lockout.
-Niedermayer, the third overall pick in the 1991 draft with New Jersey, paid tribute to Devils overlord Lou Lamoriello.
-"Even after he left I always considered him part of the Devils family. He's got a job here if he wants one." - Lamoriello on Niedermayer.
-With Niedermayer retiring, the Ducks now much address the blue line, a position which used to be decided strength.
-Greg Wyshynski bid adieu to Niedermayer, one of the NHL's ultimate winners.
-The Sharks confirmed they will not re-sign unrestricted free agent goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (right).
-Nabokov, the Sharks' starter in net since the 2000-01 season, is by far and away the best goaltender in Sharks history with a career record of 293-178-67. No other goaltender in team history has even won 70 career games.
-"This organization has been nothing but good to me and I have no regrets." - Nabokov.
Smythe Division
-Former North Stars/Captials/Red Wings/Lightning/Panthers forward Dino Ciccarelli, Red Wings executive Jim Devellano, Team USA forward Cammi Granato, Team Canada forward Angela James and former Flames owner Darryl "Doc" Seaman were announced as the this year's class of inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
-"It makes you feel like a kid, makes you remember when I first got into the game." - Ciccarelli on being chosen
-Ciccarelli's 73 postseason goals were the 13th best total in NHL history.
-Granato, the sister of Penguins assistant coach Tony Granato, and James are the first women to be chosen for induction into the Hall.
-Devellano was one of the first general managers to draft European players.
-An auction for the jersey worn by Team Canada's Paul Henderson in the 1972 Summit Series topped the $1 million (U.S. dollars) mark.
-Today would've been the 106th birthday of former Pittsburgh Hornets forward Ken Doraty.
(Photos: Sopel-Jim McIsaac/Getty Images; Niedermayer-Canadian Press; Nabokov-Christian Petersen/Getty Images)