Empty Netter Assists - 07-28-11
Penguins
-"It's been an exciting last month, that's for sure. First the draft, then the (Penguins') development camp and then signing so quickly. It's been incredible." - second-round pick Scott Harrington (above) on joining the Penguins.
-More of Evgeni Malkin skating:
-The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins re-signed forward Ryan Schnell to a one-year AHL contract.
-The AHL Penguins also signed forward Andrew Hotham and re-signed forward Brandon DeFazio to AHL contracts.
-Happy 42nd birthday to former Penguins goaltender Garth Snow (right). A free agent signing just prior to the 2000-01 season, Snow's Penguins career amounted to 35 games hat season in which he went 14-15-4 with a 2.98 goals against average, .900 save percentage and three shutouts. Easily the highlight of his season was a 40-save effort in a 5-0 shutout of the Maple Leafs. Snow probably would've been the first star of the game had it not been for some guy making his season debut that night. In the 2001 offseason, Snow was signed by the Islanders. He is currently the Islanders' general manager.
Atlantic Division
-The Rangers re-signed restricted free agent forward Ryan Callahan to a three-year deal worth $12.875 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $4.275 million. In 60 games last season, Callahan scored 48 points (23 goals, 25 assists).
-EN Says: That's a pretty hefty cap hit for a player who is primarily a defensive asset. Callahan (right) is an excellent defensive penalty killer. He has some offensive abilities as evidenced by his 23 goals last season but he's a borderline top-six forward.
Southeast Division
-The Lightning have privately funded a $35 million renovation of the St. Pete Times Forum.
Central Division
-Former Ducks goaltender Ray Emery will attend the Blackhawks' training camp on a tryout basis.
-New Red Wings defenseman Mike Commodore has abandoned the idea to wear No. 64 and will don No. 22 next season. Also, former Penguins forward Chris Conner will wear No. 41 for Detroit next season.
Northwest Division
-While serving his 15 days in an Arizona jail, Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin will have to live outdoors while wearing pink underwear. No, really.
Pacific Division
-The Coyotes signed former Hurricanes goaltender Justin Pogge to a one-year two-way contract.
-Ducks goaltending prospect John Gibson (right), a native of Pittsburgh, has joined the OHL's Kitchener Rangers.
Adams Division
-Former Flames/Hurricanes/Canucks and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Tyler Moss has joined the Nürnberg Ice Tigers of the DEL in Germany.
-Brian Metzer, who endured years of vulgarity while sitting next to us in press box at the Mellon Arena, finds a home at Kukla's Korner.
(Photos: Harrington/Nick Laham/Getty Images; Snow-Rusty Kennedy/Associated Press; Callahan-Chris McGrath/Getty Images; Nick Laham/Getty Images)