Empty Netter Assists - 07-04-12
Penguins
-Zach Parise (right) and Ryan Suter. Still free agents.
-The Wild is making a strong push to get both Parise and Suter.
-Dylan Reese is returning home, but that's not why he joined the Penguins.
-Happy 50th birthday to former Penguins forward Kevin McClelland. Acquired along with Pat Boutette as compensation for the Whalers' signing of Greg Millen, McClelland spent parts of three seasons with the Penguins. As a rookie in 1981-82, he appeared in 10 games and recorded five points. He also appeared in all five of the team's playoff games that spring and contributed two points when the Penguins nearly upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Islanders in the first round. In 1982-83 McCleland played in 38 games and scored nine points. After appearing in 24 games and scoring six points in 1983-84, McClelland and a draft pick were traded to the Oilers in exchange for Tom Roulston. In 72 games with the Penguins, McClelland scored 20 points. He is currently the head coach of the CHL's Wichita Thunder.
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Atlantic Division
-The Rangers re-signed forward Kris Newbury to a two-year two-way contract.
-The Flyers signed defensemen Danny Syvret, Cullen Eddy and forward Mike Testwuide to one-year two-way contracts.
Northeast Division
-The Senators have signed former Panthers forward Hugh Jessiman to a one-year two-way contract.
Southeast Division
-"I had two other offers and when I looked at Winnipeg's lineup, they are an upcoming team and I thought it would be a good fit for me." - forward Olli Jokinen (right) on joining the Jets.
-The Capitals have signed former Predators defenseman Jack Hillen to a one-year contract worth $650,000. Hillen, 26, appeared in 55 games last season and scored six points (two goals, four assists).
-EN Says: This is a depth signing. Hillen is a puck mover who can play a safe, reliable games as a No. 5 or 6 defenseman.
Central Division
-Red Wings owner Mike Illitch, general manager Ken Holland and advisor Chris Chelios flew to Madison, Wisc. to visit unrestricted free agent Ryan Suter.
-Detroit signed defenseman Max Nicastro, a third-round pick in 2008, and forward Marek Tvrdon, a fourth-round pick in 2011, to three-year entry-level contracts.
-Ryan Suter's future in Nashville directly impacts the future of captain Shea Weber.
-The Predators signed former Sharks defenseman Mike Moore to a one-year two-way contract.
Northwest Division
-Canucks defenseman and former Penguin Nolan Baumgartner is expected to retire as a player and become an assistant coach with the Chicago Wolves, the Canucks' AHL affiliate.
Pacific Division
-“It’s a big day for the Dallas Stars, because it shows we want to win, that we can recruit a great player to come here, and that we’re very relevant on the NHL landscape. If you look at our top six now, I think we’re competitive, I think we’re exciting, and I definitely think we’re a playoff team. We have made ourselves over.” - Stars owner Tom Gaglardi on signing former Penguins captain Jaromir Jagr (right).
-Stars scout Jiri Hrdina, a former teammate of Jagr with the Penguins, helped recruit Jagr to Dallas.
-Coyotes forward Brett MacLean is in intensive care after suffering a cardiac emergency while playing hockey in Owen Sound, Ont.
-The Coyotes have signed former Blackhawks forward Rob Klinkhammer to a one-year two-way contract.
Adams Division
-Happy 236th birthday to the United States.
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(Photos: Parise and Jokinen-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Jagr-Post-Gazette archives)