Empty Netter Assists - 11-24-12

Penguins

-The NHL cancels more games, including the All-Star Lame Game.

-What exactly would happen if the NHLPA decertified?

-Evgeni Malkin was held without a point for Mettalurg Magnitogorsk which defeated Barys Astana, 5-1, in Russia's KHL.

-Dustin Jeffrey had a goal and an assist for Medvescak Zagreb in a 6-2 win against EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria's EBEL.

-Happy 62nd birthday to former Penguins forward Hank Nowak. Acquired from the Hershey Bears of the AHL in exchange for cash in the 1973 offseason, Nowak's Penguins career amounted to 13 games and zero points in 1973-74. In the 1974 offseason, Nowak was traded to the Red Wings in exchange for a draft pick.

-Happy 77th birthday to former Penguins coach/executive Eddie Johnston. Hired as the team's head coach July 15, 1980, "EJ" coached the team for parts of six seasons and served as general manager for parts of four seasons. In 1980-81, Johnston led the team to a 30-37-13 record and an appearance in the postseason where it fell, 3-2, in a preliminary round series to the Blues. Johnston followed it up in 1981-82 with a 31-36-13 record. The team returned to the postseason but once again fell, 3-2, in a preliminary round series to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Islanders. Johnston ended his first stint as the Penguins coach in 1982-83 by leading the team towards a dreadful 18-53-9 mark. In the 1983 offseason, he was promoted to general manager. Johnston - who drafted Mario Lemieux (above) - served in that capacity until he was replaced in the 1988 offseason. After spending parts of four seasons with the Hartford Whalers, Johnston returned as the Penguins' head coach June 22, 1993. He directed the team to a 44-27-13 record and a division title in the newly-formed Northeast Division in 1993-94. In the postseason, the team fell, 4-2, to the Capitals in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal round series. During the lockout-shortened 1994-95 campaign, the Penguins went 29-16-3 record. In the 1995 playoffs, the Penguins defeated the Capitals, 4-3, in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal round and fell to the Devils, 4-1 in the semifinal round. Johnston's finest season as coach came in 1995-96. The team went 49-29-4  for 102 points - a mark which remains the fith-best total in franchise history - and another Northeast Division title. In the postseason, the Penguins beat the Capitals, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal round and the Rangers, 4-1, in the semifinal round. The team advanced to the Eastern Conference final where it fell to the Panthers, 4-3. After 62 games, a 31-26-5 record in 1996-97, Johnston was removed as head coach and replaced by Craig Patrick. Johnston assumed a front office position until retiring in 2009 following the team's third Stanley Cup title. As head coach, Johnston is the franchise's career leader in games (516), wins (232), losses (224), ties (60) and points (524). In 46 playoff games, Johnston's record was 22-24. Only Dan Bylsma (28) and Scotty Bowman have more wins. In 400 games as general manager, Johnston's record was 140-220-40.

Northeast Division

-“If I’m a fan of hockey, I’d be completely (expletive) off. I’d be beyond (expletive) off. When does it stop? Where does it work out? And that’s the issue that I have. If I’m a fan, I probably don’t come back for a long time, or I have a pretty sour taste in my mouth.” - Sabres forward Steve Ott on the lockout.

-Senators defenseman Mike Lundin has joined Almtuna of Sweden's Allsvenskan.

-Sometimes the jokes write themselves. A Toronto fan recently purchased a toilet from Maple Leafs Gardens in an auction $5,300.

Southeast Division

-Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault (right) is expected to join HIFK Helsinki of Finald's SM-liiga.

-“For me, I think those guys selling us out, being selfish like that and making those comments … . Me being on their team, how am I going to trust them as a teammate from now on? Because you know they’re not going to support players in the big scheme of things when you go and you play on the team with them; it’s going to be tough to want to back those guys from now on.” - Capitals forward Troy Brouwer reacting to comments by teammates Roman Hamrlik and Michal Neuvirth which were critical of the NHLPA.

Central Division

-With the All-star game canceled, the city of Columbus is expected to miss a potential intake of $12 million to the local economy.

Northwest Division

-Former Penguins goaltender John Curry has signed a professional tryout contract with the Houston Aeros, the Wild's AHL affiliate.

Pacific Division

-Sharks defenseman Justin Braun has joined Tappara of Finland's SM-liiga.

-"We have to stop the cycle of work stoppages. It kills the game. And I’m not saying this to kiss up to them, but it’s not fair to the fans. To me, it just shows a lack of respect for the game by the people in charge. They’re not really hockey people, they didn’t grow up loving the game of hockey." - Stars forward Ray Whitney, a veteran of four work stoppages, on the current lockout.

-Ducks forward forward Rod Pelley has signed a professional tryout contract with the Norfolk Admirals, the Ducks' AHL affiliate.

Adams Division

-Former Nordiques/Avalanche/Flyers/Predators forward Peter Forsberg (right), Team Canada forward Danielle Goyette, Red Wings/Maple Leafs/Flames forward Paul Henderson, TSN broadcaster Gord Miller, Jets/Coyotes/Stars/Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen and Nordiques/Maple Leafs/Canucks forward Mats Sundin were announced as the IIHF's Hall of Fame class for 2013.

-Oscar Dansk made 37 saves for the Erie Otters in a 3-2 loss to the Guelph Storm.

-An overtime goal by Grant Blakey gave the Mercyhurst men's team a 4-3 win against Bentley.

-Brandon Reinholz had two goals for the Johnstown Tomahawks who defeated Jamestown Ironmen, 5-3.

(Photos: Johnston and Lemieux-UPI; Johnston and Stanley Cup-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Perreault-Greg Fiume/Getty Images; Forsberg-Robert Laberge/Getty Images)