Empty Netter Assists - 07-07-10
Penguins
-Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Wheeling Nailers defenseman Mitch Ganzak has joined HC Valpellice in Italy.
-Happy 36th birthday to former Penguins goaltender Patrick Lalime (right). A sixth-round pick in 1993, Lalime made his NHL debut in 1996-97. He would go 14-0-2 in his first 16 stars and establish an NHL record for longest unbeaten streak to start a career for a goaltender. The streak also still stands as an overall franchise record. The record still stands. Lalime would finish with a 21-12-2 record along with a 2.94 goals against average, .913 save percentage and three shutouts. He was named to the NHL's all-rookie team that season. It would end up being his only season with the Penguins as he would hold out the 1997-98 season due to a contract squabble. At the 1998 trade deadline, his signing rights were dealt to the Mighty Ducks in exchange for Sean Pronger. Lalime spent last season with the Sabres.
Atlantic Division
-The Rangers signed defensive prospect Ryan McDonagh to a three-year, entry-level contract. McDonagh was a first-round pick by the Canadiens in 2007 and was traded to New York as part of a trade which brought Scott Gomez to Montreal.
Northeast Division
-The Canadiens will not re-sign unrestricted free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron, Paul Mara or forwards Glen Metropolit or forward Dominic Moore (right).
-Montreal also will not offer a contract to defenseman David Fischer, a first-round pick in 2006. He will be come an unrestricted free agent.
-The Sabres signed forward Corey Tropp, a third-round pick in 2007, to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Southeast Division
-The Capitals re-signed restricted free agent forward Boyd Gordon to a one-year deal worth 800,000.
-The Lightning signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Mike Lundin and restricted free agent forward Teddy Purcell to one-year contract each worth $750,000.
-The Thrashers re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Eric Boulton (right) to a one-year contract worth $650,000.
Central Division
-The Blues signed restricted free agent goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a four-year deal worth a total of $15 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $3.75 million. Halak's signing rights were acquired from the Canadiens in a trade last month.
-St. Louis also re-signed restricted free agent forward Cam Janssen (right) to a one-year contract worth $600,000.
-The Predators signed restricted free agent forward Sergei Kostitsyn to a one-year contract worth $550,000. Kostitsyn's signing rights were acquired from the Canadiens last month.
-The Red Wings re-signed restricted free agent forward Drew Miller to a one-year contract worth $650,000.
-Unrestricted free agent forward and Michigan native Mike Modano said the only way he plays next season is if it's with the Red Wings.
-An autopsy on the body of former Red Wings/Blackhawks forward Bob Probert revealed no signs of foul play.
-Probert's funeral will be held Friday in Windsor, Ont.
Northwest Division
-The Flames signed unrestricted free agent forward Ryan Stone (right, with Minnesota's Clayton Stoner). The Penguins' second-round pick in 2003, Stone spent last season with the Oilers.
-The Canucks re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Alexandre Bolduc to a one-year, two-way contract.
-General Motors Place, the Canucks' home arena, is now Rogers Arena.
Adams Division
-Former Sharks/Devils defenseman Jim Fahey has joined the Nurnberg Ice Tigers in Germany.
-Today would've been the 112th birthday of Mickey McGuire, a forward with the NHL's Pittsburgh Pirates.
(Photos: Lalime-Penguins Hockey Cards; Moore-Justin K. Aller/Getty Images; Boulton-Abelimages/Getty Images; Janssen-Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images; Stone-Jim Mone/Associated Press)