Empty Netter Assists - 06-30-12
Penguins
-Note: We will be running a semi-live blog tomorrow starting around noon to track free agent signings.
-The Penguins have re-signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Brad Thiessen (above) to a one-year two-way contract. In five NHL games last season, Thiessen, 26, had a 3-1-0 record along with a 3.72 goals against average and .858 save percentage.
-EN Says: Getting a brief cup of coffee in the NHL last season, Thiessen showed he can play at this level. But it wasn't enough for the Penguins' management to entrust him with the full-time back up duties. As a result, they traded for and signed Tomas Vokoun. This is a second chance for Thiessen. He will once again become the organization's third goaltender and will be the top guy at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
-The Penguins' prospect development camp will be held at Consol Energy Center July 10-14.
-Ten free agents who would make sense for the Penguins.
-How much risk is involved in Sidney Crosby's (right) new contract?
-The NHL and NHLPA held their first formal negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly labeled the meetings as "cordial."
--Happy 29th 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 and failed to score a point 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
-For the first time in over a decade, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur has hired an agent and will test free agency tomorrow.
-EN Says: This speaks volumes to the financial struggles the Devils are facing. The idea of Brodeur (right), the face of the franchise, leaving New Jersey would seem unimaginable. But with uncertainly facing the franchise's finances, Brodeur and other free agents aren't willing to commit at the moment.
-The Devils re-signed unrestricted free agent forwards Steve Bernier, Ryan Carter, Stephen Gionta and defenseman Peter Harrold. Bernier signed a two-year contract worth a total of $1.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $750,000. In 32 games last season, Bernier scored six points (one goal, five assists). Carter signed a two-year contract worth a total of $1.55 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $775,000. In 65 games last season, Carter, 28, scored eight points (four goals, four assists). Gionta signed a two-year contract worth a total of 1.125 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $562,500. He appeared in one NHL regular season game last season and scored one goal. Terms of Harrold's contract were not reported. In 11 NHL games last season, Harrold, 29, recorded two assists.
-EN Says: Bernier, Carter and Gionta gelled during the postseason as a fantastic fourth line and even scored a few key goals during New Jersey's run to the Stanley Cup final. Keeping them together is a bit of rare good news for the Devils. Harrold is a spare part.
-The Rangers re-signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Martin Biron (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.6 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.3 million. Biron, 34, appeared in 21 games last season and had a record of 12-6-2 with a 2.46 goals against average, a .904 save percentage and two shutouts.
-EN Says: Biron is one of the better back up goaltenders in the NHL. His ability to log 20-plus games last season was a big reasons starter Henrik Lundqvist was able to push the Rangers to the Eastern Conference final.
-The Flyers hired former forward Ian Laperriere as director of player development.
-Philadelphia hired former coach Terry Murray as head coach of its AHL affiliate in Adirondack.
Northeast Division
-The Canadiens re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Travis Moen (right) to a four-year contract worth a total of $7.4 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.85 million. Moen, 30, appeared in 48 games last season and scored 16 games (nine goals, seven assists).
-EN Says: Moen is a third- or fourth-line type who can provide a fierce forecheck and will drop the gloves on occasion. Additionally, he has a tendency to lift his game in the postseason. Getting him for just under $2 million a season is a good deal.
-Montreal hired former Penguins defenseman J.J. Daigneault as an assistant coach.
-The Bruins agreed to terms with forward Alexander Khokhlachev, a second-round pick in 2011, on a three-year entry-level contract.
Southeast Division
-The Capitals are not expected to re-sign forward Alexander Semin (right).
-Washington re-signed minor-league forward Mike Carman to a one-year two-way contract.
-The Hurricanes placed defenseman Derek Joslin on waivers with the intentions of buying out his contract.
-Stop us if you've heard this before. The Hurricanes have reunited a set of brothers with connections to the Penguins. No, not the Staals. The Olczyks. Tommy and Eddie, sons of former Penguins forward, coach and broadcaster Ed Olczyk, are taking part in the Hurricanes' prospect camp.
Central Division
-“Ryan is going to have a look on July 1, and based from talking with him, I’m sure he’s going to come back to us (to talk). I’m not going to say if it’s July 1, or July 2 he’s going to come back to us. We’re going to talk about what’s out there and how that compares with the situation in Nashville.” - Predators general manager David Poile on unrestricted free agent defenseman Ryan Suter.
-"We are going to be aggressive. I like a lot about our team, but we'd like to add some pieces." - Red Wings general manager Ken Holland.
-The Predators are not expected to re-sign forward Paul Gaustad before tomorrow.
Northwest Division
-The Avalanche re-signed restricted free agent forward Steve Downie (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $5.3 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2.65 million. Downie, 25, appeared in 75 games last season and scored 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) while recording 137 points.
-EN Says: Despite his behaviorial issues, Downie is a pretty talented player capable of 20 goals. If he can ever find some discipline, Downie at $2.65 million a season can be a steal.
-The Flames re-signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Corey Sarich to a two-year contract worth a total of $4 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2 million. Sarich, 33, appeared in 62 games last season and scored seven points (one goal, six assists).
-EN Says: For a physical stay-at-home type of defender with little offensive game, this is not a bad contract.
-Calgary re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Lee Stempniak (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2.5 million. Stempniak, 29, appeared in 61 games last season and scored 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists).
-EN Says: Stempniak has some scoring touch to his game as evidenced by the two 20-goal seasons he has under his resume. But he hasn't reached that level in two seasons. Committing two seasons to an inconsistent player is a bit risky, but the salary cap hit is low.
-The Flames re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Blair Jones to a two-year contract worth a total of $1.3 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $650,000. In 43 games last season, Jones, 25, scored eight points (three goals, five assists).
-EN Says: A 20-goal threat at the AHL level, Jones has rarely shown an ability to transition that success at the NHL. He has some size at 6-foot-2, 216 points, but he just hasn't made it stick in the NHL.
-The Wild re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Chad Genoway to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not revealed. In one NHL game last season, Genoway, 25, had one assist.
-The Oilers are pulling out all the stops in recruiting college free agent defenseman Justin Schultz. They had hall-of-famers Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky call him.
Pacific Division
-“Indications are that I think he wants to come back, although I’m not 100 percent sure." - Ducks general manager Bob Murray on the future of unrestricted free agent forward Teemu Selanne (right).
-Murray says re-signing captain Ryan Getzlaf and forward Corey Perry to contract extensions is "imperative." Both can become unrestricted free agents next summer.
-The Coyotes re-signed restricted free agent forward Andy Miele to a one-year two-way contract. In seven NHL games last season, he had no points.
(Photos: Thiessen-Claus Andersen/Getty Images; Crosby-Paul Bereswill/Getty Images; Brodeur and Moen-Harry How/Getty Images; Biron and Semin-Patrick McDermott/Getty Images; Downie-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Stempniak-Rich Lam/Getty Images; Selanne-Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)