Empty Netter Assists - 07-31-12
Penguins
-"I'm always a fairly optimistic guy. I know there's a long way to go. Things are moving along slowly. We're still hopeful we can get something done." - Craig Adams (above) on negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHLPA.
-The NHL's revenue sharing system is a mess.
-Happy 26th birthday to current Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (right). A first-round pick in 2004, Malkin has spent the past fives seasons with the Penguins. As a rookie in 2006-07, Malkin appeared in 78 games and led all rookies with 85 points en route to the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. In five postseason games that spring, he recorded four assists. Malkin appeared in all 82 games in 2007-08 and reached the century mark in points for the first time with 106, second in the league's scoring race and was selected to his first all-star game. In the postseason, Malkin helped the team advance to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 16 years by scoring 22 points in 20 games. He once again appeared in all 82 games in 2008-09, was selected to another all-star game and claimed the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer with 113 points. Malkin also led all postseason scorers with 36 points in 24 games and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP while leading the franchise towards its third Stanley Cup title. In 2009-10, injuries limited Malkin to 67 games and 77 points. In the postseason, Malkin produced 11 points in 13 games. During 2010-11, injuries once again limited Malkin to 43 games and 37 points. Malkin rebounded this past season appearing in 75 games and won the Art Ross Trophy again with 109 points. He also joined Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Sidney Crosby as the fourth member of the Penguins to win the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Awards as the NHL's MVP. Malkin appeared in six postseason games and contributed eight points. In 427 regular season games with the Penguins, Malkin has scored 527 points, eighth-most in franchise history. In 68 postseason games, Malkin has 71 points, sixth-most in franchise history.
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-Happy 71st birthday to former Penguins defenseman Paul Andrea. Acquired in the 1967 offseason along with George Konik, Dunc McCallum and Frank Francis in a trade which sent Larry Jeffrey to the Rangers, Andrea spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins. During the franchise's innagural season of 1967-68, Andrea appeared in 65 games and produced 32 points. In 1968-68 he only saw action in 25 games and scored 13 points. The following offseason, Andrea and John Arbour were traded to Vancouver of the Western Hockey League in exchange for Bryan Hextall, Jr. In 90 games with the Penguins, Andrea scored 45 points.
-Happy 50th birthday to former Penguins forward Troy Murray. Acquired at the 1995 trade deadline along with Norm MacIver in a deal which sent Martin Straka to the Senators, Murray appeared in 13 regular season games and scored two points for the Penguins in 1994-95. In the playoffs, he saw action in 12 games and netted three points. In the 1995 offseason, he joined the Avalanche as a free agent. He currently works as a broadcaster for the Blackhawks.
Atlantic Division
-The Flyers extended their affiliation agreement with the Trenton Titans of the ECHL for the 2012-13 season.
Northeast Division
-Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson (right) has decided to return for another season instead of retiring. Alfredsson, 39, appeared in 75 games last season and scored 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists).
-EN Says: This is excellent news for all hockey fans. Like Teemu Selanne, Alfredsson has become an ambassador for the sport. On top of that, he's still a pretty darn good two-way player.
-Former Penguins forward the great Mike Zigomanis re-signed with tthe Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate.
Southeast Division
-Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is living it up in London while watching the Olympics.
Northwest Division
-The Canucks signed former Flames forward Guillaume Desbiens to a one-year two-way contract.
Adams Division
-Former Blue Jackets forward Alexandre Picard has joined Genève-Servette of Switzerland's NLA.
-Former Coyotes/Wild forward Craig Weller has joined ERC Ingolstadt of Germany's DEL.
(Photo: Adams-Paul Bereswill/Getty Images; Malkin-Jamie Sabau/Getty Images; Alfredsson-Photobucket)