Empty Netter Assists - 03-29-11
Penguins
-The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins signed defensive prospect Viktor Ekbom, a sixth-round pick in 2009, to an amateur tryout contract.
-Faceoff-Factor takes a look at new Penguins prospect Paul Thompson.
-Injuries and call-ups have forced Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Keven Veilleux to become more of a playmaker.
Happy 73rd birthday to former Penguins defenseman Duane Rupp (right). Acquired midway through the 1968-69 season in a trade which sent Leo Boivin to the North Stars, Rupp spent parts of five seasons in Pittsburgh. He finished 1968-69 by appearing in 30 games and recording 13 points for the Penguins. His first full season with the Penguins was 1969-70. He saw action in 64 games and scored 16 points and helped the franchise reach the postseason for the first time. He appeared in six playoff games that season and scored four points. In 1970-71, Rupp played in 59 games and scored 33 points. Rupp saw action in four postseason games that spring and failed to record a point. During 1971-72, Rupp was limited to 34 games and 22 points. He rebounded in 1972-73 by playing in 78 games and scoring 20 points. After spending all of 1973-74 with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Hershey, Rupp signed with the Vancouver Blazers of the WHA. In 265 regular season games with the Penguins, Rupp, the first defenseman in franchise history to record a hat trick, scored 104 points, 77th-most in franchise history. In 10 postseason games, he scored four points.
{youtube width="480" height="390"}LpfZCDLHzJg{/youtube}
-Happy 60th birthday to former Penguins forward Hartland Monahan. Acquired early in the 1977-78 season in a trade which sent a draft pick to the North Stars, Monahan's Penguins career amounted to seven games and two goals that season. In November of that season, he was traded to the Kings along with Syl Apps, Jr. in exchange for Dave Schultz, Gene Carr and a draft pick. He is currently the national director for ourFund.us, a Georgia-based fundraising company.
Atlantic Division
-Devils forward Patrik Elias will miss the postseason for the first time in his NHL career.
-The Islanders lowered a bunch of their season ticket prices.
Northeast Division
-Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson (right) returned to the lineup for the first time since injuring his back Feb. 9.
-With former Penguins defenseman Jordan Leopold dealing with a hand injury, the Sabres recalled defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani from Portland of the AHL.
-Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is 23-10-5 since Jan. 1.
-What's the most shocking part of this video? That a grown man know this dreadful "Friday" song this well or that someone spent actual currency on a Mike Commodore Senators jersey:
{youtube width="480" height="390"}EjfLaimGjtU{/youtube}
Southeast Division
-As if that whole Steelers-Ravens rivalry wasn't enough, the Capitals are becoming popular in Baltimore.
Central Division
-An overtime goal and an assist by former Penguin Marian Hossa led the Blackhawks to a 3-2 win against the rival Red Wings. Fire Ray Shero Ken Holland. Patrick Kane recorded two assists for Chicago while Corey Crawford made 33 saves in the victory. Brian Rafalski recorded two assists for the Red Wings.
-Hossa's goal:
-Check out this rocket Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom scored on:
-Lidstrom became the first 40-year-old defenseman in NHL history to reach the 60-point mark.
-In the first period, Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi clubbed Blackhawks forward Ryan Johnson with an elbow to the head:
{youtube width="480" height="300"}ZEAoCANIdGs{/youtube}
-Johnson left the game per the NHL's new concussion examination protocol while Bertuzzi was given a game misconduct.
-Thinking Out Loud: It'll be interesting to see how the NHL handles this. Colin Campbell and company threw the book at Matt Cooke for his elbow to the head of New York's Ryan McDonagh. Cooke has a history, though his trangression are mostly of recent vintage. Bertuzzi also has a history obviously, but the only suspension of his career - for his infamous sucker punch on Avalanche forward Steve Moore - happened seven year ago. Does the NHL weigh in the time between offenses when figuring out discipline? Either way, Bertuzzi deserves at least 10 games.
-Bertuzzi apologized to Johnson directly after both left the game.
-Happy times for the Blackhawks. Not so much for Detroit's Joey MacDonald:
-The Blues recalled defenseman Ian Cole from Peoria of the AHL.
-St. Louis forward T.J. Oshie is in some hot water after missing practice yesterday. The team described it as an "unexcused absence."
-Does Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne (right) have a realistic chance at winning the Vezina Trophy?
Northwest Division
-Canucks forward Manny Malhotra will undergo surgery to repair his damaged eye today.
-Avalanche forward Matt Hunwick returned tot he lineup after missing one game due to a head injury.
Pacific Division
-It was a good night for 40-year-olds. Three goals and two assists by Teemu Selanne led the Ducks to a 5-4 win against the Avalanche. Cam Fowler added a goal and an assist for Anaheim while teammates Saku Koivu and Lubomir Visnovsky each recorded two assists. Ray Emery made 31 saves in the victory. Matt Duchene netted a goal and an assist for Colorado.
-Selanne's hat trick:
-Check out this hit by Anaheim's George Parros on Colorado's Jonas Holos and the ensuing fight with Colorado's David Koci:
{youtube width="480" height="300"}gA-5pPmImCM{/youtube}
-An ankle injury is expected to sideline Kings forward Anze Kopitar until mid-summer.
Adams Division
-Five years after being forced to retire after suffering his last concussion, former Red Wings/Hurricanes/Flyers forward Keith Primeau still suffers dizzy spells when he exercises.
-Former Avalanche/Blue Jackets/Thrashers forward and Penguins prospect Serge Aubin joined the Hamburg Freezers of the DEL.
(Photos: Rupp-Penguins Hockey Cards; Alfredsson-Photobucket; Blackhawks/Penguins-Paul Sancya/Associated Press; Rinne-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)