Empty Netter Assists - 07-11-10

Atlantic Division

-If the Devils re-sign Lebron James Ilya Kovalchuk to the bajillion dollars (give or take) he wants, will they have enough salary cap space to re-sign Zach Parise (right) next summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent?

Northeast Division

-"Up to the last minute, I was hoping I would get the deal done with Pittsburgh, but unfortunately it didn't work out and here I am in Ottawa." - Senators defensemand and former Penguin Sergei Gonchar.

-Senators forward Mike Fisher tied the knot with entertainer Carrie Underwood.

Central Division

-The Staals Hayes - Chicago's Jimmy and John - are brothers.

Northwest Division

-The Oilers signed unrestricted free agent forward Ben Ondrus to a one-year, two-way contract. Ondrus had been with the Maple Leafs since 2004.

-You may remember Ondrus for this little scuffle with former Penguin Jarkko Ruutu during the 2006-07 season:

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Smythe Division

-Today would've been the 85th birthday of former Pittsburgh Hornets forward Sid Smith.

-Today would've been the 92nd birthday of former Pittsburgh Hornets defenseman Eddie Bush.

(Photo: Parise-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)