Empty Netter Assists - 11-10-12

Penguins

-Negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA took a turn for the worse.

-By way of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, an NHL source accused NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr of not detailing the NHL's entire offer to NHLPA members.

-Fehr denied the accusation.

-Jeff Zatkoff made 18 saves for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 3-1 loss to the rival Hershey Bears.

-"It's really tough to lose to those guys. It's my first year here in Wilkes-Barre but the emphasis on the rivalry between us and Hershey is huge. We gotta win those games." - Penguins forward Riley Holzapfel on the rivalry with Hershey.

-Patrick Killeen made 20 saves for the Wheeling Nailers who lost to the Toledo Walleye, 5-2.

-Today would've been the 67th birthday of former Penguins goaltender Al Smith (right). Claimed from the Maple Leafs in the 1969 offseason in an intra-league draft, Smith spent two seasons with the Penguins. As the team's primary starter in 1969-70, Smith appeared in 46 games, had a 15-20-8 records, a 3.03 goals against average and two shutouts. In the 1970 postseason, Smith saw action in three games and went 1-2 with a 3.33 goals against average. Smith once against played in 46 games in 1970-71. His record was 9-22-9, with a 3.11 goals against average and two shutouts.  During that season, he set a franchise mark with 15 consecutive games without a win. In the 1971 offseason, the Red Wings claimed him in an intra-league draft. In 92 regular season games with the Penguins, Smith, the first player in franchise history to wear No. 29, was 24-42-17 with a 3.07 goals against average and four shutouts. He holds the Penguins' unofficial record for fights by a goaltender with five. Smith passed away Aug. 7, 2002.

-Happy 62nd birthday to former Penguins defenseman Bob Stewart. Acquired early in the 1979-80 season in a deal which sent Blair Chapman to the Blues, Stewart's Penguins' career amounted to 65 games and 10 points that campaign. In the 1980 postseason, Stewart appeared in five games and recorded two points. He retired in the following offseason.

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Atlantic Division

-Islanders forward Josh Bailey has joined the Bietigheim Steelers of Germany's 2nd Bundesliga.

Northeast Division

-Canadiens forward Blake Geoffrion, currently assigned to Hershey of the AHL, underwent surgery on his skull last night after striking his head off the ice during a game. His injury was described as "non-life threatening."

Southeast Division

-"Obviously it's not fun to hear that there's still a lot of work to be done. I think a lot of the players are very optimistic and very happy they're talking again and working hard throughout the past three days." - Hurricanes forward and former Penguin Jordan Staal (right) on negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA.

-Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro is still holding out hope that the season begins by Dec. 1.

-Panthers defenseman Filip Kuba has joined HC Vitkovice of the Czech Extraliga.

-"We all feel there's a deal there to be had. It's just a matter of them (the owners) realizing it and making a move. I think everyone in the world knows negotiations are give and take. You can't just take everything." - Lightning forward B.J. Crombeen on negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA.

Patrick Division

-"They have to accept that responsibility to sit down and get a deal done. Shame on them if they don’t do that.” - Hall of fame defenseman Bobby Orr on negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA.

-Former Sharks/Lightning/Devils/Wild/Flames/Blackhawks defenseman Andrei Zyuzin has joined Rubin Tyumen of Russia's VHL.

-Connor Brown had two goals and two assists for the Erie Otters in a 6-3 win against the Peterborough Petes.

-Terry Shafer made 24 saves for the Robert Morris men's team in a 4-0 shutout of Canisius.

-Two goals by Daniel Bahntge helped the Mercyhurst men's team defeat RIT, 5-3.

-PJ Musico made 19 saves for the Penn State men's team in a 5-1 loss to Air Force.

-Collin Brennan made 18 saves for the Johnstown Tomahawks in a 4-3 win against the Kalamazoo Wings.

(Photos: Smith-Penguins Hockey Cards; Staal-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)