Empty Netter Assists - 09-10-12

Penguins

-How could a potential lockout by the NHL impact Eric Tangradi's (above) fortunes?

-What about Joe Morrow?

-Last month, we had the honor of writing The Essentials: Pittsburgh Penguins Edition for Greg Wyshynski's Puck Daddy blog.

-Executives for the NHL and NHLPA will forfeit their salaries if an agreement isn't reached on a new CBA Sept. 15.

-How could a potential lockout impact junior-eligible players?

-Happy 24th birthday to former Penguins forward Jordan Staal (right). A first-round pick in 2006 (No. 2 overall), Staal spent six seasons with the Penguins. As a rookie in 2006-07, Staal appeared in 81 games, set an NHL rookie record with seven shorthanded goals, scored 29 overall goals, 42 points and was selected as a finalist for the Calder Trophy. In the 2007 postseason, Staal appeared in five games and scored three goals. Despite playing in all 82 games in 2007-08, Staal's offensive numbers regressed as he only scored 28 points. In the postseason, he saw action in 20 games, scored seven points and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup final for the first time in 16 years. Staal's production rebounded in 2008-09 as he once again played in all 82 games and scored 22 goals and 49 points. In that spring's playoffs, Staal, playing primarily on a line with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy, saw action in 24 games and scored nine points, including a key shorthanded goal against the Red Wings in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final (see below). Staal helped the team claim the series, 4-3, and got his name on the Cup. During 2009-10, Staal, one of the Penguins' top penalty killers, once again appeared in all 82 games, scored 21 goals, 49 assists and was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy. In the playoffs, Staal played in 11 games and scored five points. Injuries limited Staal to 42 games and 30 points in 2010-11. In seven postseason games that spring, he scored three points. Staal rebounded this past season by appearing in 62 games and scoring a career-best 25 points. Appearing in six postseason games, he led the team in goals (six) and points (nine). In 431 regular season games with the Penguins, Staal scored 248 points, 30th-most in franchise history. In 73 postseason games, "Gronk" scored 36 points, 11th-most in franchise history. From midway through his rookie season until the end of the 2009-10 campaign, Staal appeared in 302 consecutive games, second-most in franchise history. This offseason, Staal was traded to the Hurricanes in exchange for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and a draft pick.

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-Happy 55th birthday to former Penguins goaltender Rob Holland. Acquired in the 1979 offseason along with Pat Hughes in a deal with sent Denis Herron and a draft pick to the Canadiens, Holland spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins. In 1979-80, Holland appeared in 34 games and had a 10-17-6 record with a 3.83 goals against average and one shutout. He saw action in 10 games in 1980-81 and went 1-5-3 with a 5.01 goals against average. In the 1981 offseason, Holland was traded to the Islanders for future considerations. In 44 games with the Penguins, Holland went 11-22-9 with a 4.08 goals against average and one shutout.

-Happy 43rd birthday to former Penguins defenseman Chris Joseph (right). A first-round pick in 1987 (No. 5 overall), Joseph spent parts of three seasons over two different stints with the Penguins. As a rookie in 1987-88, Joseph appeared in 17 games and recorded four assists before being traded along with Craig Simpson, Dave Hannan and Moe Mantha to the Oilers in exchange for Paul Coffey, Dave Hunter and Wayne Van Dorp. After stints with the Oilers and Lightning, Joseph returned to the Penguins when he was claimed off waivers from the Lightning early in the 1994-95 season. In 33 games with the Penguins that season, Joseph scored 15 points. In that spring's playoffs, saw action in 10 games and netted two points. Joseph played in 70 games in 1995-96 and contributed 19 points. In that season's playoffs, Joseph appeared in 15 games and scored one goal. In the 1997 offseason, Joseph signed with the Flyers as a free agent. In 120 regular season games with the Penguins, Joseph scored 38 points. In 25 playoff games with the Penguins, he scored three points.

Atlantic Division

-Rangers defenseman Michael Sauer is still struggling to recover from a concussion he suffered in December.

Northeast Division

-Labor Labour laws in Quebec may prevent the NHL from legally locking out the Canadiens' players.

Southeast Division

-Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson suffered a shoulder injury during an informal training session.

Central Division

-Former Penguins defenseman Hal Gill (right) is ready to bring stability to the Predators' defense.

Northwest Division

-Labor Labour laws in Alberta might also prevent the NHL from legally locking out players for the Flames and Oilers.

Pacific Division

-Captain Shane Doan, who was courted as a free agent by nearly the entire NHL, has reached a agreement in principal to re-sign with the Coyotes pending the franchise's purchase by would-be owner Greg Jamison.

(Photos: Tangradi-Doug Pensinger/Getty Images; Staal-Jim McIsaac/Getty Images; Joseph-Peter Diana/Post-Gazette; Gill-Grant Halverson/Getty Images)