Empty Netter Assists - 9-1-09
Note: A few have asked us. We in turn have asked our editor. The answer? There are no plans to make Empty Netters or any of the Post-Gazette's other free blogs part of the new PG+ site. All your Joey Mullen jersey pictures will remain free of charge.
Penguins
-Why does Ray Shero (above) like to give out one-year deals?
-The Penguins will hold their prospect camp beginning Saturday in Kitchener, Ont.
-Jonathan Bombulie of the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice has the roster for the camp and tournament.
-The Pensblog previews 12 games everyone needs to pay attention to this season.
-Miroslav Satan (right) got two days with the Stanley Cup in Slovakia annnnd had his No. 18 retired by his former team in Trebic.
-Happy 45th birthday to former North Stars forward and Kevin Stevens/Bryan Trottier favorite Brian "Superstar" Bellows. And no, we can not link directly to the video.
Atlantic Division
-The Rangers have yet to re-sign restricted free agent forward Brandon Dubinsky.
-Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, who has a brother or two we understand, drove directly from Calgary to Manhattan following his workouts at Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp.
-The Islanders dealt forward prospect Rob Hennigar to the Hurricanes for forward prospect Bobby Hughes.
-The Flyers have brought on the Quad City Mallards as their IHL puppy-drowning affiliate.
Northeast Division
-Senators general manager Bryan Murray pretty much confirmed Dany Heatley (right) will not be wearing an "A" on his jersey should he return to the Senators next season. We suppose when you whine and hold a team hostage with your trade demands, your leadership qualities tend to be doubted.
-Should defenseman Andrei Markov be the Canadiens' next captain?
-The Sabres have too many forwards.
Southeast Division
-Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward claims he had a wonky back when his team was swept by the Penguins in last seasons' Eastern Conference final.
-We guess by "back" he means "glove:"
-The Panthers hired former Bruins and Blackhawks goaltender Rob Tallas as a goaltending consultant.
Central Division
-Red Wings forward Kris Draper is still griping about Sidney Crosby's hands. (Kudos to EN commenter AmyB for the heads up.)
-Sidney Crosby is the whiny, immature, petulant one right? Just checking.
-Former Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov was awarded some big-time cash in a lawsuit.
Northwest Division
-Canucks general manager Mike Gillis will not confirm a report his team has reached an agreement for a contract extension with goaltender Roberto Luongo (right).
-Minnesota Wild forward Benoit Pouliot lost his drivers license for one year and was fined $2,000 (Canadian) after being found guilty of drunk driving by an Ontario court. Pouliot was arrested in 2006.
-Avalanche tickets are pretty cheap for this upcoming season. Like $25 in the lower bowl cheap. Too bad the Penguins don't play there next season.
Pacific Division
-The Sharks re-signed restricted free agent forwards Torrey Mitchell and Brad Staubitz. Mitchell's deal is for $4.1 million over three years while Staubitz was signed for one year at $550,000.
Patrick Division
-Paul Kelly was fired as head of the NHLPA yesterday. Pat Flatley, the assistant director of player affairs for the NHLPA resigned following Kelly's dismissal. The somewhat unfortunately named Ian Penny will take over for Kelly on an interim basis.
-NHL2K10 will have features allowing you to play in any of the past two Winter Classic locations or Fenway Park, the locale of this upcoming seasons' game. It will also allow you to play classic games with the Whalers.
-In the opener of the women's Hockey Canada Cup Finland upset the United States, 3-2.
(Photos: Shero-Jamie Sabau/Getty Images; Satan-Tomas Hudcovic/isifa/Getty Images; Heatley-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Luongo-Nick Didlick/Getty Images)