Empty Netter Assists - 10-17-12
Penguins
-The NHL makes a 50/50 offer for a new CBA with hopes of starting a full 82-game season on Nov. 2.
-Sidney Crosby plans on practicing in Dallas next week with several NHLers. (PG+)
-The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are still working on naming a new captain.
Atlantic Division
-The Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL will retire the No. 25 of Flyers forward and former Penguin Maxime Talbot.
Northeast Division
-Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty has left Ambrì Piotta of Switzerland's NLA.
-Senators forward Erik Condra has joined EV Füssen of Germany's Oberliga for the duration of the lockout.
Southeast Division
-"I think that coming up to 50 (percent) is closer. This probably should have been their starting point. I don’t know why it took so long to get to this point. But it is definitely that they’re coming more our way and hopefully it’s something we both can negotiate off of and get to a deal so we can start playing hockey." - Jets captain/forward Andrew Ladd on the NHL's new offer.
Central Division
-Blues defenseman Kris Russell has joined TPS of Finland's SM-liigga for the duration of the lockout.
Northwest Division
-“I’m not too sure on the details, so I can’t pronounce myself. But I’m excited. Fifty-fifty — they’re come a long ways from their first offer. They’re willing to negotiate. They’re willing to settle.” - Flames forward Alex Tanguay (right) on the NHL's new offer.
-“It’s a start. I really think it’s (the owners’) first real showing of interest in getting a deal done. The chances of us taking this one right now and signing off on it is pretty unlikely … that’s not the way it works, but hopefully, it’s the grounds for a counter-proposal and more talk on the issues." - Oilers captain/forward Shawn Horcoff on the NHL's new offer.
-"It's the first good news we've heard in a while. It seems closer to where we want to be. We have to see the details, but I don't think there's any question this is a positive move that hopefully we can build off." - Wild forward Matt Cullen on the NHL's new offer.
-“I think we're going to wait until all the 'i's are dotted and the 't's are crossed before we get optimistic. Yes, of course, it's encouraging. It's a step towards us. Fifty-fifty is not necessarily what we want as a split but I think everyone has been looking for a gesture, someone to make a move and they made a move. Now we need to analyze it and get back to them with an answer: yes or no.” - Canucks goaltender Corey Schneider on the NHL's new offer.
Pacific Division
-"A little bit of increased optimism, but still cautious. They always say the devil is in the details. It’s a step in the right direction, but obviously we as a union are trying to fix a lot of things that are wrong with the league. The revenue sharing is a huge part of this. It makes a lot of sense to have that system in place. We don’t want to be doing this again down the road." - Sharks forward Patrick Marleau (right) on the NHL's new offer.
-"I know the public perception is, ‘Wow, let’s sign that deal right now and get back to playing hockey. But the reality of things is they’re not making this proposal and being open about it without there being some sort of tax from the players. But I am cautiously optimistic. This is kind of the first real time since we’ve been locked out that there’s been some sort of bend [from the owners], at least from the outside looking in. Looks like we have a place to start some real negotiations because up until now, it’s been pretty bleak.” - Ducks defenseman Sheldon Souray on the NHL's new offer.
-Ducks forward Nick Bonino has joined Neumarkt/Egna of Italy's Serie A2 league for the duration of the lockout.
(Photos: Crosby-Jamie Sabau/Getty Images; Tanguay-Jeff Gross/Getty Images; Marleau-Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)