Empty Netter Assists - 09-07-10
Penguins
-Happy 32nd birthday to current Penguins forward Matt Cooke (above). A free agent signing in the 2008 offseason, Cooke has spent the past two seasons with the Penguins. In 2008-09, Cooke appeared in 76 games, scored 31 points and recorded 101 penalty minutes, second-most on the team. In the postseason, Cooke appeared in all 24 of the Penguins' games, netted seven points and helped the franchise claim its third Stanley Cup title. Cooke played in 79 games in 2009-10, scored 30 points and was once again second with 106 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, Cooke saw action in 13 games and contributed six points. In 155 regular season games with the Penguins, Cooke has scored 61 points. In 37 postseason games with the franchise, Cooke has scored 13 points. A ferocious penalty killer and checker, Cooke struck Bruins forward Marc Savard with a blindside hit to the head this past season. Due to Savard suffering a concussion on the play, the check indirectly led to the NHL making a rule change regarding hits to the head:
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-Happy 55th birthday to former Penguins defenseman Bryan Maxwell. Claimed off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets early in the 1983-84 season, Maxwell spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins. In 45 games for the Penguins in 1983-84, Maxwell recorded 15 points and led the team with a plus-3 rating. In 1984-85, Maxwell appeared in 44 games and netted eight assists. He retired following the season. In 89 games for the Penguins, Maxwell scored 23 points.
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-Happy 50th birthday to former Penguins forward Paul Marshall. A second-round pick in 1979, Marshall spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins. As a rookie in 1979-80, Marshall appeared in 46 games and contributed 21 points while leading the team with five game-winning goals. He appeared in one playoff game that spring and failed to record a point. After 13 games and three goals in 1980-81, Marshall was traded to the Maple Leafs along with Kim Davis in exchange for Dave Burrows and Paul Gardner. In 59 games with the Penguins, Marshall scored 24 points.
-Happy 47th birthday to former Penguins forward Tony Tanti (right). Acquired midway through the 1989-90 season along with Rod Buskas and Barry Pederson in a deal which sent Dave Capuano, Andrew McBain and Dan Quinn to the Canucks, Tanti spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins. He finished 1989-90 by appearing in 37 games for the Penguins and scoring 32 points. After 46 points and 18 points in 1990-91, Tanti was traded to the Sabres in exchange for Ken Priestlay. In 83 games for the Penguins, Tanti recorded 50 points. He currently operates a flooring contractor in Vancouver.
Atlantic Division
-Islanders forward and former Penguins prospect Matt Moulson is now on Twitter (@MMoulson).
Northeast Division
-The Bruins want to extend the contracts of captain Zdeno Chara (right) and forward Patrice Bergeron. Both are scheduled to become unrestrected free agents after next season.
-Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak is still popular in Montreal.
Southeast Division
-The Thrashers signed unrestrected free agent forward Fredrik Modin, formerly of the Kings, to a one-year deal worth $800,000.
-The Lightning will put single-game tickets on sale Sept. 10. The Penguins play in Tampa Bay Oct. 27 and March 31.
Central Division
-Blackhawks forward Dave Bolland and defenseman Duncan Keith sang during the seventh inning stretch at yesterday's Cubs game.
Northwest Division
-Unrestricted free agent forward Owen Nolan, formerly of the Wild, is still looking for work.
Pacific Division
-Unrestricted free agent forward Jonathan Cheechoo (right), formerly of the Senators, will attend the Stars' training camp on a tryout basis.
-Coyotes forward and former Penguin Paul Bissonnette makes a triumphant return to Twitter.
Smythe Division
-Former Senators/Sharks/Bruins/Red Wings/Predators forward Josh Langfield joined HC Plzen in the Czech Republic.
(Photos: Cooke-Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press; Tanti-Penguins Hockey Cards; Chara-Elsa/Getty Images; Cheechoo-Abelimages/Getty Images)