Empty Netter Assists - 07-30-10
Penguins
-Chris DeVivo of the Penguins has an update on the shiny electronic things at Consol Energy Center.
-The Wheeling Nailers re-signed defenseman Kyle Bushee.
-Happy 37th birthday to former Penguins forward Markus Naslund (right). A first-round pick in 1991, Naslund spent parts of three seasons with the Penguins. As a raw 20-year-old rookie in 1993-94, Naslund appeared in 71 games and scored 11 points. In 1994-95, Naslund was limited to 14 games and four points. In 1995-96, Naslund finally seemed to find his game by producing 52 points in 66 games, but at the trade deadline, he was dealt to the Canucks in exchange for Alex $&#$@! Stojanov. The trade is considered one of the worst in franchise history as Naslund developed into an all-star in Vancouver while Stojanov washed out after two seasons in Pittsburgh. In 151 games with the Penguins, Naslund scored 67 points, 106th-most in franchise history.
-Happy 25th birthday to current Penguins defenseman Alex Goligoski (right). A second-round pick in 2004, Goligoski has spent parts of the past three seasons with the Penguins. He had a brief three-game cup of coffee in 2007-08 which produced two assists. In 2008-09, with defenseman Sergei Gonchar sidelined due to a preseason shoulder injury, Goligoski was inserted into the lineup and responded well by producing 20 points in 45 games. After appearing in two postseason games during the team's Stanley Cup run that spring, Goligoski's name earned a spot on the Cup. Last season, Goligoski appeared in 67 games and registered 37 points. He appeared in all 13 of the team's playoff games and contributed nine points. In 117 games with the Penguins he has recorded 59 points.
-Happy 40th birthday to former Penguins forward Jeff Christian. A free agent signing in the 1994 offseason, Christian parts of three seasons with the Penguins. During that span, he only saw action in 15 games and scored four points. In the 1997 offseason, he signed with the Coyotes.
-Happy 54th birthday to former Penguins goaltender Greg Redquest. A fourth-round pick in the 1976 draft, Redquest's entire NHL career amounted to one game with the 1977-78 Penguins. He was released in the 1979 offseason.
Northeast Division
-Restricted free agent Bruins forward Blake Wheeler (right) was awarded a $2.2 million decision in arbitration. The Bruins are expected to accept the award.
-The Senators avoided arbitration with restricted free agent forward Peter Regin and signed him to a two-year deal worth a total of $2 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1 million.
-Restricted free agent forward Tim Kennedy was awarded a $1 million decision in arbitration. The Sabres must accept the award as the league's collective bargaining agreement prohibits teams from walking away from awards less than $1,611,180.
Southeast Division
-The Thrashers avoided arbitration with restricted free agent forward Andrew Ladd and signed him to a one-year contract worth $2.35 million. Ladd's signing rights were acquired from the Blackhawks last month.
-Speaking of Ladd, check out some of these epic photos of him with the Stanley Cup on top of Crown Mountain in British Columbia:
-Atlanta also re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Peter Mannino, a former member of the Pittsburgh Forge, to a two-year, two-way contract.
-The Lightning re-signed defenseman Vladimir Mihalik and signed defensemen Mathieu Roy and Mike Vernace to one-year deals.
-Tampa Bay announced an affiliation aggreement with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.
-Former Islanders enforcer Joel "Wrecker" Rechlicz signed with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' AHL affiliate.
Central Division
-The Red Wings have offered a training camp tryout to former enforcer Aaron Downey.
Pacific Division
-The Sharks re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Jason Demers (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.25 million.
-Kings defenseman Matt Greene underwent surgery on a shoulder. He will be sidelined three to four months.
-The Stars extended their affiliation agreement with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.
Adams Division
-Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star has a pretty good story today about the impact of the salary cap and the group of pretty decent free agents still available.
(Photo: Naslund-Penguins Hockey Cards; Goligoski-Jerry S. Mendoza/Associated Press; Wheeler-Elsa/Getty Images; Ladd-Mark L. Johnson/Canadian Press; Demers-Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)