Empty Netter Assists - 12-22-12

Penguins

-The NHLPA overwhelmingly voted in favor to authorize its executive board to file a disclaimer of interest.

-AHL Penguins forward Beau Bennett is dealing with an undisclosed ailment.

-To see some ice time, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defenseman Alex Grant has had to play some forward.

-Chris Barton scored two goals for the Wheeling Nailers in a 5-1 rout of the Elmira Jackals. Daultan Leveille had a goal and an assist for Wheeling while teammates Andrew Hotham and Peter Merth each recorded two assists. Peter Delmas made 15 saves in the victory.

-Note: Leveille, currently property of the Canadiens, was the player the Thrashers selected with a first-round pick they acquired in a 2008 trade which sent Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to the Penguins.

-Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in a 5-3 win against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in Russia's KHL.

-Highlights (Malkin's assist happens at the 1:04 mark. He had a pseudo-fight at 3:53. His goal - an empty netter - happens at 6:28):

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-Tanner Glass was held without a point and recorded four penalty minutes for Banska Bystrica in a 5-1 loss to HK 36 Skalica in the Slovak Extraliga.

Northeast Division

-“A deal better be done in the next 10 days, or I guess you can say the league will just lock the doors again like they did (by canceling the season) in ’04 and continue to ruin the reputation of hockey." - Sabres forward Steve Ott on the lockout.

Southeast Division

-"From where we were in September, when I was all optimistic thinking this was going to be resolved quickly, to where we are now, we're all, I don't want to say shocked, but disappointed. It's mind-boggling, I guess." - Lightning captain/forward Vincent Lecavalier on the lockout.

Central Division

-“I know it's a negotiation and you don't have to be friends, but (there's) a good way to do it and (there's) not a good way to do it. And I think they took that (wrong) path when they walked away (from talks), and I think they're playing pretty dirty, I think, in my mind.'' - Red Wings forward and former Penguin Mikael Samuelsson on negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA.

Pacific Division

-“I am surprised it’s been this long. I really am. I didn’t see it lasting this long and going on this long, but it doesn’t seem we’re that far apart. But I think the owners feel differently about it. I don’t know what’s got lost in translation, but I think it’s gotten to the point now where it’s beyond frustrating. We should be playing hockey by now, and as players this is getting old very quickly. It’s not even quickly. It’s gotten old, and we want to be playing in competitive games and be playing for the Stanley Cup. Like I said, it’s frustrating and obviously it’s gone on way longer than it should have.” - Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith (right) on the lockout.

Smythe Division

-Former Whalers/Flames/Lightning/Blackhawks/Capitals/Bruins/Rangers forward Michael Nylander has joined HC Interspar Bolzano-Bozen Foxes of Italy's Serie A league.

-Canada's roster for the Spengler Cup was announced. Former Penguins defenseman Micki DuPont and forward Jason Williams are on the team. Former Penguins forward Dough Shedden will coach the squad.

-Hall-of-Fame Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden offers some thoughts on concussions.

-Connor Wright had a goal and an assist for the Johnstown Tomahawks in a 3-2 win against the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.

(Photo: Smith-Christian Petersen/Getty Images)