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Friday, 27 May 2011 00:01

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

Penguins

-Happy 35th birthday to former Penguins forward Richard Park (right). The second native of South Korea to play for the Penguins as well as in the NHL (Jim Paek being the first), Park was a second round pick in 1994 and spent parts of three seasons in Pittsburgh. He made his NHL debut in 1994-95 by appearing on one game and recording one assist. He played in three playoff games that postseason and failed to record a point. In 1995-96, he played in 56 games and recorded 10 points. During that postseason, he played in one game and did not score a point. He appeared in one game in 1996-97 before being dealt to the Mighty Ducks at the trade deadline in exchange for Roman Oksiuta. In 58 regular season games with the Penguins, Park scored 11 points. In four postseason games, he failed to record a point. He is currently a member of Genève-Servette of the NHL in Switzerland.

-Happy 70th birthday to former Penguins defenseman Ed Van Impe. An all-star with the Flyers during their "Broad Street Bullies" days, Van Impe came to the Penguins late in the 1975-76 season along with Bobby Taylor in a deal which sent Gary Inness and cash to Philadelphia. He spent parts of two seasons in Pittsburgh. He finished 1975-76 by appearing in 12 games and recording five assists. He appeared in all three of the team's playoff games and netted one assist. In 1976-77, he was limited to 10 games and three assists and retired in midseason.

Playoff Stuff

Bruins - Lightning

-Bruins forward Nathan Horton will not be disciplined for spraying a Lightning fan with a water bottle after Game 6:

-"I’m not going to expect anything. Every time we expect something, the opposite happens." - Lightning coach Guy Boucher on Game 7.

Canucks

-With five goals in 18 postseason games, Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa's potential value as an unrestricted free agent this summer has skyrocketed.

-The Stanley Cup Final schedule was revealed. If the series goes to Game 7, the season will end on June 15.

-All seven games are scheduled to start 5 p.m. Vancouver time.

Non-Playoff Stuff

Atlantic Division

-Islanders captain Doug Weight officially announced his retirement. Weight, 40, spent 19 seasons with the Rangers, Oilers, Blues, Hurricanes, Ducks and Islanders. A member of Carolina's Stanley Cup-winning team in 2006, Weight appeared in 1,238 regular season games and scored 1,033 career points. He will take on a role as an assistant coach and member of the team's management staff.

-Weight got a little teary-eyed yesterday:

-Former Penguins forward Bill Guerin, also a one-timer Islanders captain, was on hand for his former teammate:

-Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger is unsure when he'll be able to resume skating following offseason back surgery.

Northeast Division

-The Canadiens signed forward Joonas Nattinen, a third-round pick in 2009, to a three-year entry-level contract.

-The Maple Leafs signed forward Kenny Ryan, a second-round pick in 2009, to a three-year entry-level contract.

-Senators general manager Bryan Murray is still trying to find a new head coach.

-Legendary Sabres broadcasters Rick Jeanneret and Harry Neale will work a reduced number of road games next season.

Southeast Division

-Wait... Former Capitals/Bruins/Oilers/Rangers/Kings/Canucks/Blue Jackets/Hurricanes forward Anson Carter (right) tried to buy the Thrashers?

-Speaking of which, negotiations between the Atlanta Spirit, the club's current owner, and True North continue.

Central Division

-The Blues signed assistant coaches Brad Shaw, Ray Bennett, Corey Hirsch and Scott Masters to contract extensions.

Northwest Division

-The Wild signed goaltender Darcy Kuemper, a sixth-round pick in 2009, to a three-year entry-level contract.

Pacific Division

-Sharks defensemen Jason Demers (ankle sprain), Dan Boyle (knee), forwards Scott Nichol (shoulder), Dany Heatley (ankle), Ryane Clowe (shoulder), Joe Pavelski (shoulder) and Joe Thornton (shoulder) all finished the season dinged up.

Smythe Division

-Former Lightning/Blackhawks forward Radek Smolenak (right) has joined Ässät of the SM-liiga in Sweden.

-Former Panthers/Islanders/Coyotes forward Oleg Kvasha has joined Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.

-Former Maple Leafs/Wild defenseman Jaime Sifers has joined Adler Mannheim of the DEL in Germany.

(Photos: Park-Penguins Hockey Cards; Weight and Guerin-Mike Stobe/Getty Images; Carter-Getty Images; Smolenak-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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