Empty Netter Assists - 06-30-10
Penguins
-It's looking more and more like Sergei Gonchar and Dan Hamhuis will become unrestricted free agents Thursday.
-The goal horn from Mellon Arena was installed at Consol Energy Center. We'd embed the video but this blogging software doesn't allow us.
-Former Penguins forward Shawn McEachern (right) as hired as head coach of the boys team at The Rivers School in Weston, Mass.
-Happy 27th birthday to former Penguins forward Karl Stewart. Claimed off waivers from the Ducks prior to the 2006-07 season, Stewart appeared in three games for the Penguins before being claimed off waiver by the Blackhawks less than a month into the season. He spent last season with the Straubing Tigers in Germany.
Atlantic Division
-The Devils hired former Red Wings/Blues/Bruins/Capitals/Flyers/Ducks/Oilers forward Adam Oates as an assistant coach. He served in a similar position with the Lightning last season.
-Restricted free agent forward Erik Christensen rejected a two-year contract offer from the Rangers worth approximately $1.5 million.
-The Rangers put forwards Donald Brashear, Patrick Rissmiller and Aaron Voros on waivers.
Northeast Division
-The Canadiens acquired the signing rights to unrestricted free agent goaltender Dan Ellis (right) and restricted free agent forward Dustin Boyd from the Predators in exchange to the signing rights of restricted free agent forward Sergei Kostitsyn.
-The Senators bought out the final year of forward Jonathan Cheechoo's contract.
-Tyler Seguin, the Bruins' first-round pick last week, will wear No. 19. The last Bruin to wear that number was Joe Thornton.
Southeast Division
-"I have not been excited about what they have offered. I hope they make another offer before July 1." - Thrashers goaltender and former Penguin Johan Hedberg on the contract offer he got from the Thrashers. Hedberg is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent Thursday.
-The Hurricanes are still trying to figure out what they want to do with former captain Rod Brind'Amour.
-Unrestricted free agent Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster described contract talks as a "huge disappointment."
-Some big contracts are limiting what the Lightning can do in free agency.
Central Division
-Today is Blues general manager Larry Pleau's last day on the job.
Northwest Division
-The Oilers put captain Ethan Moreau (right) and forwards Robert Nilsson and Patrick O'Sullivan on waivers.
-The Flames signed goaltender Henrik Karlsson to a one-year deal worth $500,000. He spent last season in Sweden.
Pacific Division
-The Stars announced they would not be offering a contract to unrestricted free agent forward Mike Modano.
-"I'm upset and disappointed with today. It's definitely not the way I pictured it happening." - Modano who has spent 20 seasons with the Stars/North Stars franchise.
-Stars forward James Neal is working out with former Penguins forward Gary Roberts this summer.
-Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said re-signing defenseman Zbynek Michalek is his top priority.
-The Ducks put defenseman Nathan Oystrick on waivers.
Patrick Division
-This is a lean year for forwards in free agency.
-Happy 68th birthday to former Pittsburgh Hornets defenseman Ron Harris.
-Today would've been the 76th birthday of former Pittsburgh Hornets forward Jack Caffery.
(Photos: McEachern-Penguins Hockey Cards; Ellis-Victor Decolongon/Getty Images; Moreau-Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)