Empty Netter Assists - 06-29-12
Penguins
-Note: We'll have a semi-live blog Sunday for the first day of free agency.
-Sidney Crosby won't be clipping coupons for the next 12 years at least.
-The timing of Crosby's contract announcement was hardly an accident. (PG+)
Atlantic Division
-According to ESPN's Pierre Lebrun, Flyers defenseman Matt Carle (right) is expected to test free agency.
-The Devils re-signed forward/enforcer Cam Janssen to a one-year two-way contract.
Northeast Division
-The Bruins agreed with restricted free agent goaltender Tuukka Rask on a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. In 23 games last season, Rask 25, went 11-8-3 with a 2.05 goals against average, .929 save percentage and three shutouts.
-EN Says: This is an interesting move for each party. The Bruins clearly need Rask for the long term given Tim Thomas taking a hiatus. And Rask had a chance to really cash in given the Thomas situation. But both parties agreed to a short-term contract without a ton of money involved.
-The Canadiens re-signed restricted free agent forward Petteri Nokelainen to a one-year contract worth a total of $575,000. In 51 games last season, Nokelainen, 26, had seven points (three goals, four assists) last season. Defenseman Brendon Nash also re-signed to a one-year two-way contract.
Southeast Division
-The Lightning re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Brian Lee (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.3 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.15 million. In 55 games last season, Lee, 25, had 16 points (one goal, 15 assists).
-EN Says: Lee is a depth player for the blue line who has a little size and some puck moving skill but he doesn't use either attribute to the most of of his abilities. This is a manageable cap hit for a No. 4 or 5 defenseman with greater potential.
-Hurricanes backup goaltender Brian Boucher suffered an offseason shoulder injury which is expected to sideline him four to six months.
-The Panthers placed former Penguins forward Matt Bradley and forward Mike Santorelli on waivers.
Central Division
-The Predators re-signed former Penguins defenseman Hal Gill to a two-year contract worth a total of $4 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2 million. Gill, 37, appeared in 76 games last season and scored 13 points (one goal, 12 assists). He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent Sunday.
-EN Says: This is a nice contract for both parties. Gill is in the latter stages of his career so getting anything with multiple seasons is a win for him. For the Predators, they keep a veteran presence with a Stanley Cup ring on a young team.
-The Blues re-signed unrestriced free agent forward Scott Nichol (right) to a one-year contract worth $650,000. Nichol, 37, played in 80 games last season and scored eight points (three goals, five assists).
-EN Says: Nichol is a nice fourth-line energy type of center. Getting him for fairly cheap is a win for the Blues.
-The Blue Jackets re-signed restricted defenseman Nikita Nikitin to a two-year contract extension worth a total of $4.3 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2.15 million. Nikitin, 26, appeared in 61 games last season and scored 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists).
-EN Says: Nikitin was a rare bright spot for the Blue Jackets last season as he played some major minutes in all situations. This is a good contract for both parties.
-Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler is expected to test free agency.
Northwest Division
-The Canucks agreed to terms with restricted free agent goaltender Cory Schneider (right) to a three-year contract worth a total of $12 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $4 million. In 33 games last season, Schneider, 26, went 20-8-1 with a 1.96 goals against average, a .937 save percentage and three shutouts.
-EN Says: Schneider is clearly the Canucks' goaltender is future. But $4 million is quite a bit for a player who hasn't played an entire season as his team's No. 1 goaltender yet.
-The Wild agreed to terms with forward Matt Kassian on a two-year contract worth $1.15 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $575,000. In 25 games last season, Kassian had two goals and 54 penalty minutes.
-EN Says: Kassian is an enforcer type. The Wild didn't really break the bank for him and it shouldn't have. Enforcers are a dime a dozen.
-Forward Guillaume Latendresse rejected a one-year contract offer from the Wild and will test free agency.
-Flames forward Olli Jokinen is expected to test free agency.
-The Avalanche has a whopping $32 million of salary cap space to work with.
Pacific Division
-The Kings signed goaltender Jonathan Quick (right) to a 10-year contract extension worth $58 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $5.8 million once the new contract kicks in after next season. In 69 games last season, Quick, 26, had a record of 35-21-13, a goals against average of 1.95, a .929 save percentage, 10 shuouts and won the Conn Smythe Trophy while leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup title. His current contract has one year left with a salary cap hit of $1.8 million.
-EN Says: What a bargain. Quick is arguably the best player in the NHL and he took a contract far below what he could have commanded.
-Devils forward Patrik Elias found the missing puck from the final moments of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final in his equipment bag and will send it to the Kings.
-The Stars bought out the final year of former Penguins enforcer Eric Godard's contract.
Smythe Division
-At the request of the NHL, the AHL will test hybrid icing rules next season.
-The AHL will also adopt replay for next season.
(Photos: Crosby-Nick Laham/Getty Images; Carle-Rob Carr/Getty Images; Lee and Quick-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Nichol-Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images; Schneider-Christian Petersen/Getty Images)